2023 Brecon Reserve Petite Sirah (Best of Class)
We craft these inky little monsters to outlast the median age profile of recipients of the fabled Darwin Awards (mid-20s)! By implication then, we are only catering to “higher functioning primates”, i.e., those with greater cognitive flexibility who will delight in the deep purple hues and silky multi-layered textures. Perhaps those who can discern the individual forest fruits and hints of fresh-cut violets. They might even cherish the complexities of a toasty oak profile formed somewhere in the “spaghetti junction” between multiple French micro-cooperages. It is, of course, not lost on us that both bonobos and mountain gorillas also fall into that higher simian bucket!
Best in Class, Platinum. Boston Wine Comp, October 2025
Cold soaking and coarse-grain American oak are key components. Certainly the opposite thinking to the fine-grain mantra found in Bordeaux. However, it works exceptionally well here, and interestingly enough, in some of the most highly awarded Barossa Valley Syrahs.
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Varietal | Petite Sirah |
| Varietal Composition | 100% Petite Sirah, Adelaida District, Rolph Vineyard |
| Appellation | Paso Robles, Adelaida |
| Acid | .56g/100ml |
| PH | 3.66 |
| Aging | Drink Now - 2038 |
| Residual Sugar | 0.08g/100ml |
| Alcohol | 15.20% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Bottling Date | 06/04/2025 |
| Cases Produced | 218 |
Similar to the Darwin Awards, we too constantly try to raise the gene pool by culling virused vines and exploring modern clones. We have continuously worked with Rolph Vineyard for well over a decade now. It really feels like every vine is an old friend, even those few that have been replanted. Both hilltops provide dry-grown sections which bring intensity, bright acids, and bags of structure. Indeed, one of the blocks was, in fact, grafted over to Petite Sirah from Port varietals, such is our program of constant improvement.
