Kenefick Ranch 2012 Petite Sirah Calistoga Estate

California Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux Style Blends aren’t the only wines that are shining bright from the 2012 vintage…  Some of the best examples of Durif, AKA Petite Sirah can age gracefully for up to two decades.  Even the word Petite refers to the small berries that these vines produce, and in turn, the greater skin to juice ratio creates a wine with penetrating intensity, yet supple, velvety tannins.  Kenefick Ranch’s 8 barrel production of their 2012 Estate Petite Sirah has everything that I look for in a great California Petite Sirah.  The flavors are deep and penetrating and on the palate the wine is pure silk, presented in a plump, velvety overlay.  At $45/btl retail this wine will bring a smile to your face.

With warm days and cool nights, Calistoga offers the perfect climate for Petite Sirah to fully develop, and many of California’s best examples of this variety come from the Calistoga area.  This quintessential Calistoga Petite Sirah was expertly guided from grape to bottle by talented winemaker Kent Jarman, who’s also the winemaker at Coup de Foudre, and previously the assistant winemaker at Duckhorn.  Kept for 18 months in Meyrieux Barrels, this 2012 is brimming with blue fruits, spices and plum.