2006 PETITE SIRAH

DRY CREEK VALLEY

WINEMAKER'S NOTES:
Old vines, Dry Creek’s soil and climate, and generations of vineyard experience are reflected in this dark, full-bodied wine that is still remarkably supple and elegant. It offers lush, concentrated blackberry and red stone fruit flavors with briary spice overtones and hints of vanilla and chocolate on the nose, with a long, sustained and moderately tannic finish.

APPELLATION:
Dry Creek Valley

VINEYARDS:
J. Teldeschi Ranch – the grapes came from an old, established vineyard on the east side of Dry Creek Valley, next to a block of Zinfandel that dates to 1912. The age of the Petite Sirah is less certain, but the gnarled, head-pruned vines, all dry farmed, look to be from a similar era.

VINTAGE:
Yields were moderate, and the fruit concentration benefited from a longer hang time than the previous year. The small berries had ripe, balanced flavor that accentuated the intense blackberry notes characteristic of this vineyard, and the deep color characteristic of Petite Sirah.

COMPOSITION:
Petite Sirah 98%, Syrah 2%

VINIFICATION:
Grapes were hand sorted and fermented in half-ton containers for fourteen days. Underwent malolactic fermentation.