Petite Sirah, Napa Valley
Bold, Dark and Mysterious…
These are just a few words to describe our Clif Family Petite Sirah, a powerhouse wine in our line-up and one of our favorites for winter food pairings.
Petite Sirah is a somewhat overlooked grape varietal that is primarily grown in California and Australia. The small berries and tightly packed clusters result in a wine with intense dark color, high tannins and a spice-driven flavor. It’s a varietal that can stand on its own but is also used in blending to intensify a wine like Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon.
Here at Clif Family Winery, we get really excited about the release of our Petite Sirah. We have been producing this wine as 100% Petite Sirah since 2009. The fruit is grown by Mike and Kelly Nichelini at their Gobbler Grove Vineyard in the eastern hills of the Napa Valley. The vineyard sits at an elevation of 1200 ft and is a warmer site, perfect for achieving the ultra-ripeness that we seek for this wine.
The inky black color, supple tannins and intensely concentrated mid palate make this hidden gem a perfect companion for your favorite winter dishes. Chef John suggests a tri-tip with a Blackberry-Peppercorn sauce. Look for the recipe posted on our blog soon.
We also make a Petite Sirah Dessert Wine called Arriva from this same Petite Sirah. It’s kind of like a hot fudge brownie sundae oozing with a rich caramel topping. Or to put it in other terms, deep aromas of blackberry pie, smoked meats and a chewy and long plate with a sweet richness that is the perfect ending to any meal.
Find our 2016 Petite Sirah, 2015 Petite Sirah (there is still a little left of this extraordinary vintage that received 92 points from Wine Spectator) and Petite Sirah Dessert Wine at our St. Helena Tasting Room or online at cliffamily.com.
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