Nichols Petite Sirah, zero six 2006

2006 Nichols Petite Sirah, Cross Canyon Vineyard, Paso Robles, California USA

Petite Sirah is a very late ripening varietal. Thanks to California’s extensive sun and abundance of degree-days it is able to get it ripe. The result is a very intense wine with dark color and rich flavors.

Winemaker tasting notes

California’s sunshine is able to ripen Petite Sirah to produce a deep colored red wine, full of tannins capable of impressive longevity. This Petite Sirah has lush blueberry, blackberry, raspberry and plum fruit with spice woven in. It also gives you a blast of ripe tannins for the big and bold red wine lover.

Fermentation Process

Petite Sirah is produced in a unique style, 1/3 whole cluster berry fermented in small open top fermenters to facilitate maximum flavor and color extraction. The cap is punched down several times a day over a period of 7 to 10 days. When fermented dry, it is pressed off and racked into French Oak barrels for six years.

Barrel ageing

This Petite Sirah, was aged in 100% French Oak for 6 years. The wine is further aged for a minimum of an additional 12 months in the bottle. Aging in the bottle allows the wine to rest and round out its natural fruit flavor and aromatic attributes.

Paso Robles/San Miguel Wine Region;

Paso Robles is a warm wine-growing region in California. The warm days and cool nights are ideal for Petite Sirah, in that the grape likes warm temperature to show its true character of revealing forward bright blueberries flavors. Cool nights allow the vines to shut down and rest for the next days push for enhanced flavors. This climate also allows for a long growing season with long hang time, which matures the flavors and gives it depth. This California sunlight in Paso Robles is what Petite Sirah needs to make a lush bold wine.