2006 Paso Robles Petite Sirah

Growing Region:

Well on its way to becoming a benchmark appellation for Petite Sirah, Paso Robles is located on California's Central Coast, halfway between Monterey and Santa Barbara. Warm days are contrasted by cool coastal breezes flowing over the Santa Lucia Mountain Range in the evenings. Petite Sirah from this region is known for its high phenolics and tannins, but mostly for its dark-garnet, almost inky indigo color. The resulting wines from are deep and robust in both color and flavor.

Winemaking:

To maximize grape quality and color, the wine was fermented on average seven to 10 days at 80-85°F, with several pump-overs daily. After fermentation, the wine was aged in small oak barrels for about eight months. Older barrels, rather than new, were used in order to coax the tannins into rounding out slowly, while imparting just the right hint of sweet oak vanillin and spice to the wine.

Winemaker's Notes:

The Greg Norman 2006 Paso Robles Petite Sirah shows an impressive balance of concentrated flavors and firm tannin backbone. The wine has scents of violet and raspberry. A taste brings to mind a thick slice of juicy blackberry pie, but also shows plum and dried fruit. It is rich and lush, and has just the right amount of spiciness in the finish.

Technical Information:

Appellation: Santa Barbara County, California
Alcohol: 13.5%
pH: 3.77
Total Acidity: 0.55 g/100ml
Harvest Date: September to October 2007
Bottle Date: May 2008
Release Date: July 2008

 

Ratings & Reviews

Food & Wine (July 2009)
"Blueberry-inflected... Recommended with Grilled Flank Steak with Corn, Tomato and Asparagus Salad."