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While Petite Sirah is often used in small amounts in other wines, we found that the more ours rested in barrel, the more it deserved its own bottling. We took one barrel out to add to the Syrah, and we blended back one barrel of Syrah to help invigorate the Petite. This version may be less tannic than other Petite Sirah, but it makes up for it in texture and length. Deep licorice aromas, ripeness and an impression of sweetness rise from the glass. Fairly soft on the entry, this wine spreads wide on the palate, coating the mouth completely. It is free of any abrupt acid or tannin, and leaves soft blackberry flavors in the finish.

Our Syrah was left on the vine for an extra six days to bring out the most ripe fruit flavor. We brought it in just before the flavors would have turned raisiny. The fermentation proceeded slowly, and this results in more extraction from the skins. French oak barrels were chosen to accentuate the dark fruit flavors. The aromas have a distinct caramel tone overlaying deep plum and cassis smells. There is a slight toasty character and some cedar in the nose as well. The flavors are full of intense black currant and black cherry. The barrels add some smokey accents and vanillin texture. This is a powerful wine that should continue to get better with time in the cellar.

The 2003 Syrah is 100% Firefall Vineyard Syrah, located in the Fairplay Appellation. This is a west-facing slope that is fairly steep. The vines are quadrilateral cordon-trained. We harvested very small berries on small clusters. The fruit came in clean and the bins smelled of white pepper and berries. The wine exhibits a dark purple color with slight brick around the edges. Intense aromas of violets, plums and cassis. Lots of licorice, tar and roasted black fruits emerge with time. Fruit tones are fairly developed with hints of leather creeping into the finish. This is medium, big bodied wine with enough weight to smooth out the cedar and leather-tinged finish.

Two vineyards provide us with fruit for our Zinfandel. One gives lots of black pepper, and the other loads of ripe fruit flavor. We vinify them separately and decide on the blend after at least one year in the barrel. In 2004, the intensity of this Zin and its purity of fruit made us decide not to blend it with any other varieties. Boysenberries and sweet oak vanilla dominate the nose of this classic Zinfandel, along with just a hint of spice. Ripe raspberry flavors fill the mouth upon entry. The youthful nature of this wine is evident in its body and tannin. A varietal brambly quality comes out with some air. The barrel influence is considerable, with pastry and toast in the mid- palate and finish.

The 2003 Zinfandel is from the 25 year old vines of Herbert Vineyard, located in the Fairplay Appellation. The vines are head trained and drip irrigated. Harvest was undertaken after extensive thinning. Any clusters with pink berries were dropped, along with multiple passes to remove any raisins. The color of the wine is bright ruby and gives aromas of boysenberry and brambly. Some vanilla and alluring freshly baked pastry aromas as well. This shows distinct Sierra Foothill Zinfandel varietal quality – fruit with some spice, both balanced and intense. Cardamom flavors are pronounced, red fruit – cherries and black raspberry. Nice textural quality from the barrel aging. Some smoky and toast complexity to go with the fruit.