Vineyard:

My quest for making some of the better Petite Sirah wines on the market continues with this edition of Rockpile Reserve. The Rockpile appellation has established itself as one of the ultra-premium appellations of California. The rugged terrain and 1200 feet elevation above Lake Sonoma combined with poor soils and cooling maritime influence contributes to the concentrated flavor, aroma, color and overall depth of this impressive wine. These vines, grown by the Mauritson family, had the smallest berry size I have ever seen on Petite Sirah!

Winemaking

The fruit was harvested on September 29th, relatively late compared to the Petite Sirah fruit from the lower elevations. After gentle destemming, the fermentation started into my favorite ½ ton bins. The chemistry of the wine was near perfect and required no intervention and adjustments. During fermentation, I punch down the cap gently only twice per day to avoid over-extraction. After ten days the wine was dry and pressed. A few days later the young petite was racked to barrels in 37% new French oak barrels and the rest in older neutral barrels. The malolactic fermentation took place in barrels.

Tasting Notes:

This Petite is one of the better Petite Sirahs I have made in the last 28 vintages. It is not about the sheer brute force of the wine, but more about balancing power with finesse. The fruit is noticeable, but it is not at all the fruit-bomb focal point. All of the typical Petite Sirah aromas of blueberry, violets, blackberry, and white pepper are apparent, with high intensity in beautiful harmony with the chocolate and maple nuances the new oak contributes. The mouthfeel is substantial and significant, as expected, but balanced in its finish between ripe tannins, fruit juiciness, and enough acid to carry it to a long finale. This wine can be expected to age very well for those patient enough to wait for another eight to twelve years.