Petite Sirah from Tenbrink that mutates under the Bricco regime. The same fruit that can make Babylon over-ripe, juicy, seductive in its power and richness at once-- the same fruit becomes austere, nearly stern, as it changes into Bricco. The change occurs after the second year in barrel and during the rest of the third year: all fruit turns into tar, smoke, leather, at its juiciest, a stock made with dried mushrooms. Dried-- nothing fresh is left. The wines becomes even darker, and develops a spectrum of aromas focused on leather, tar, rose petals. So unforeseen in such a big wine. As it makes this turn, the wine becomes more European, if one may say so, and develops a nose that reminds one of Nebbiolo perhaps, the driest and most reserved of Amarones. Perhaps this language is inaccurate: does the time in barrel change the wine, allow it go in a new direction-- or simply reveal and bring to the surface what always lay within the fruit?
Winemaker's Note

Rich, energetic Petite Sirah with a distinctly, though inexplicably, tarry Italian nose.

Technical notes

Varietal: Petite Sirah Appellation: Suisun Valley Production: 207 cases