2006 Clayhouse Vineyard Petite Sirah "Estate"

Winery: Clayhouse Vineyard

Vintage: 2006

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Estate"

Wine Category: Petite Sirah

Grape blend: 90% Petite Sirah, 4% Grenache, 4% Mourvedre, & 2% Syrah

Region: Paso Robles

State or country: CA

Price: $25

Cases produced: 968

KWG Score: 90 (based on 1 review)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (90)

Review date: November 19, 2009

Wine Review: This very dark opaque purple colored wine opens with a spicy blueberry and black raspberry bouquet. On the palate, this wine is full bodied, balanced, and very smooth. Especially on day 2. Another impressive note was how well the acidity was integrated into the wine. The flavor profile is a ripe blackberry with notes of black raspberry, black pepper, and black licorice. The finish is very dry and its pleasant fine tannins stick with you for quite sometime. Both panelists that I had try this wine noted that this Petite Sirah shows more finesse than most. I agreed, as a result, we would pair it with roast beef or Beef Bourguignon. Enjoy - Ken

Winemaker Notes: Our Petite Sirah comes from some of the oldest plantings in the region. The wine has a solid tannin core, black pepper and blackberry pie aromas, and a hint of cranberry. The Mourvedre adds a slight gamey note, the Grenache adds some bright fruit, and the Syrah imparts a touch of floral spice.

Organic status: not organic