2005 Dynamite Hill Petite Sirah

A long growing season allowed the York Creek grapes to achieve intensity at modest (by today’s standards) ripeness. We picked in late September; the tight, mature, brown-stemmed clusters were perfect for a natural-yeast, whole-cluster fermentation. Extraction of color and tannin was ideal by day six, and we pressed. The natural secondary (malolactic) fermentation was complete by late November, and the wine racked to air-dried american oak barrels for aging. These fifteen barrels—one-third new, one-third three years old, one-third four years old—were combined for a special, limited petite sirah bottling, something we have not done since 2000. After twenty months in oak, the wine has gained additional richness and spice, and tannins have softened. Remarkably complex, it is approachable now, but will continue to improve with five to seven years of bottle age.

Average Rating: 89.4

No. of Tasting Notes: 21

View this wine on CellarTracker