Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah is a rich grape created by French botanist Dr. Francois Durif in 1880. This rare grape boasts somewhere around 10,000 acres of planted vine around the world, with the majority of the acreage in California, a climate well suited to this sun-loving variety. The grape was planted at California’s Mission San José in 1884. California Petite Sirah is bold and assertive, and often made into single-variety bottlings, although it can benefit from blending as well.
In the vineyard, these technically red grapes are thick-skinned and so dark they appear black. Wines, which are deep purple in color, are nearly opaque in youth, owing to the grapes’ skins.
Often confused with another native French variety, Syrah, Petite Sirah is believed to be the result of cross-pollination of Syrah and obscure Peloursin. Petite Sirah is called “petite” because it produces small berries on the vine. The grape thrives in hot, dry climates, since rainy environments promote rot between the tightly packed fruit. It has been most successful in dry California, although it has had some success, too, in Australia and South America.
On the palate, Petite Sirah’s inky wines give way to bold, dark fruit, like blueberries, blackberries and stewed plums. These round, tannic wines have a somewhat short finish, which makes them good candidates for blending. They can age for upwards of 20 years. Currently, Petite Sirah is grown predominantly in California, as well as in Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Australia and Israel.
Synonyms: Durif
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Ridge 2020 Lytton Springs Red (Dry Creek Valley)
SonomaThis seamless, polished but also firm and well-structured wine achieves power with ...See Full Review$50 -
Écluse 2020 Insider Red (Paso Robles)
Central CoastThis blend of 38% Tannat, 37% Petite Sirah and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon ...See Full Review$59 -
MCV 2020 Black Red (Paso Robles)
Central CoastVery ripe and inviting aromas of cassis, blackberry pie, caramel and prominent ...See Full Review$60 -
McPrice Myers 2020 Paper Street Vineyard Cuvée Red (Paso Robles Willow Creek District)
Central CoastDark and intense aromas of black plum, blackberry, myrtle liqueur and nutmeg ...See Full Review$65 -
MCV 2020 Gemeny Vineyard Petite Sirah (Paso Robles)
Central CoastPetite Sirah specialist Matt Villard masterfully takes his wines to the edge ...See Full Review$52 -
Andis 2020 Petite Sirah (Sierra Foothills)
Sierra FoothillsThis is a full-bodied, generous wine that has a lot to give ...See Full Review$40 -
Element 79 2018 Estate Petite Sirah (Fair Play)
Sierra FoothillsThis wine shows complex layering of flavors and textures. It offers notes ...See Full Review$39 -
MCV 2020 1105 Red (Paso Robles)
Central CoastIntense aromas of violet, lilac, cassis and acai are enhanced with a ...See Full Review$50 -
Ferrari-Carano 2019 Siena Red (Sonoma County)
SonomaThis smooth, velvety, reasonably priced wine offers delicious black-fruit flavors, subtle oak ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$26 -
Epoch 2019 Ingenuity Red (Paso Robles Willow Creek District)
Central CoastThis Petite Sirah-led blend, which also includes Mourvèdre, Grenache and Syrah, starts ...See Full Review$75 -
Truett Hurst 2019 Single Vineyard Collection Petite Sirah (Rockpile)
SonomaHeady aromas of violets and crushed blueberries lead to crushed black peppercorns, ...See Full Review$54 -
Vina Robles 2020 Petite Sirah (Paso Robles)
Central CoastViolet and lilac aromas are wrapped in toasted walnut and black currant ...See Full Review$32 -
Dubost 2019 Worth Hill Vineyard Petite Sirah (Adelaida District)
Central CoastDark aromas of asphalt, liquified violet and elderberry show on the nose ...See Full Review$60 -
Truett Hurst 2019 Single Vineyard Collection Estate Petite Sirah (Dry Creek Valley)
SonomaBig and tannic but also enjoyable, this concentrated, intensely fruity wine is ...See Full Review$56 -
Smith & Hook 2020 Proprietary Red (Central Coast)
Central CoastThis is a satisfying, widely available and affordable blend of Merlot, Malbec, ...See Full Review$25 -
Ridge 2019 Lytton Estate Petite Sirah (Dry Creek Valley)
SonomaThis firm, tannic wine will need extended aging to mellow and show ...See Full Review$42 -
Castoro Cellars 2020 Reserve Petite Sirah (Paso Robles)
Central CoastElderberry jam, lilac and pastry crust aromas are leveled by a streak ...See Full Review$30 -
Ragtag 2018 Petite Sirah (El Pomar District)
Central CoastRipe dark berry and toasty wood aromas on the nose of this ...See Full Review$44 -
Optio 2020 LaMar Vineyard Petite Sirah (Paso Robles Geneseo District)
Central CoastFocused aromas of charred nuts, lush but dry fruit, a touch of ...See Full Review$55 -
Songs 2019 Win Win Lago Vineyard Petite Sirah (Paso Robles)
Central CoastDeep and focused aromas of toasted wood, graphite and roasted black plum ...See Full Review$80
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