The nose reveals a mélange of black raspberry, tree-ripened Santa Rosa plum, and cigar tobacco. Medium-plus to full-bodied, the wine unfolds with layers of black cherry preserves, vanilla, and hints of garrigue framed by a careful selection of Fusion barrel oak; savory notes imparted by the American oak, Hungarian oak elevates Petite Sirah’s spice, and the French oak affords the wine a smooth and luxurious vanilla-scented finish.

Blend: 81% Petite Sirah, 17% Zinfandel, 2% Other Red Varieties

Always among my favorite wines from Girard, the 2021 Petite Sirah features its usual incredible color—impenetrable black-purple. Blueberries and baking spices appear on the nose, while the palate is full-bodied, tannic and sturdy, with some hints of mocha on the long, dusty finish. The assemblage is 81% Petite Sirah, 17% Zinfandel and 2% Mixed Blacks, with maturation identical to the Zinfandel (14 months in barrels made of American, French and Hungarian oak, 40% new).