Le P’tit Paysan, Petite Sirah, Monterey County, California, USA, 2016 – CLEARANCE

From blocks 1 and 3 on Pierce Ranch Vineyard in the San Antonio Valley, which are dominated by limestone, shale and decomposed granite. Picked below 22 brix, cold soaked 3-5 days, fermented 30% whole cluster at moderate peak temperatures. Aged on gross lees for 11 months in used, mostly neutral, barriques. 2% Counoise. Nose features a mélange of black and blue fruits, blackberry bramble, raspberry blossoms, dried seaweed, with hints of cocoa, saddle leather and rich slate earth.

Palate shows black and blue berries, rosemary and garrigue, balsamic marinated lamb chops, cranberry high notes, eucalyptus forest duff, silky texture. Gritty, rustic tannins on the finish, leathery and lingering, rhubarb, almost a granular texture.