Tag Archive for 'Durif'

Santa Barbara Winery New Release

Published
by
Pierre
on November 30, 2008
in Wine News
. 0 Comments

Santa Barbara Winery 2006 Petite Sirah

We are happy to release our second vintage of Petite Sirah. This grape has had a rather muddled history ever since it was first cultivated in California circa 1890 shortly after being either propagated or identified as a seperate varitety in France in the 1880 s.

It is not Syrah, and there is nothing petite about it in terms of grape size or flavor. Many older Petite Sirah vineyards in California are actually field blends containing as many as five grape variteies (including Petite Sirah and Syrah). DNA fingerprinting has also shown what we know as Peitite Sirah could actually be the ancient Rhone variety Peloursin.

Or, as the most popular theory goes, this grape is actually Durif, a cross of Peloursin and Syrah created in France in the 1880 s. Whatever the reason, the name Petite Sirah has stuck and the wine became an early favorite in California as the rich, massive wines it produces were a natural favorite when paired with old rancho cuisine featuring grilled meats and vegetables.

The big flavors, black pepper spice and rustic tannins are also a terrific match with hearty stews. Winemaker Bruce McGuire blended the adjoining Thompson Vineyard and Tres Burro Vineyard in Alisos Canyon, a site he feels is well suited for grapes to make big, rich wines.

Bruce notes, 2006 produced a crop of very small clusters that yielded a very dense wine. Petite Sirah is not known for aging ability and we suggest enjoying this wine before 2011 with late 2009 being ideal.

Suggested Retail: 28.00
To order:

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New Release Santa Barbara Winery

Published
by
Pierre Lafond
on April 10, 2008
in New Releases, Petite Sirah and Wine News
. 0 Comments

Santa Barbara Winery 2005 Petite Sirah
After 43 years of winemaking, we have finally made a Petite Sirah. This grape has had a rather muddled history ever since it was first cultivated in California circa 1890 shortly after being either propagated or identified as a seperate varitety in France in the 1880’s.It is not Syrah, and there is nothing “petite” about it in terms of grape size or flavor.Many older Petite Sirah vineyards in California are actually “field blends” containing as many as five grape variteies (including Petite Sirah and Syrah). DNA fingerprinting has also shown what we know as Peitite Sirah could actually be the ancient Rhone variety peloursin.

Or, as the most popular theory goes, this grape is actually Durif, a cross of peloursin and Syrah created in France in the 1880’s.Whatever the reason, the name “Petite Sirah” has stuck and the wine became an early avorite in California as the rich, massive wines it produces were a natural favorite when paired with old rancho cuisine featuring grilled meats and vegetables.

The big flavors, black pepper spice and rustic tannins are also a terrific match with hearty stews. Winemaker Bruce McGuire is very impressed with the Thompson Vineyard in Alios Canyon, a site he feels is well suited for grapes to make big, rich wines. We have bottle aged this wine for a year before release to smooth some of the tannins. Petite Sirah is not known for aging ability and we suggest enjoying this wine before 2011.

Suggested Retail 26.00/750ml

To purchase:

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