2019 Paso Robles Petite Sirah - Ultima Tulie Wines

A monumentally dense and decadent eruption of blackberry preserves, blueberry compote, sweet dark cherry, and gooey date booms with gobs of deliciously chewy richness as notes of milk chocolate, mocha, and new leather further bolster perceived opulence with an oak-influenced sheen. Lofty floral tones of lavender extract, violet oil, and potpourri contribute layers of voluptuous fragrance that is pleasantly offset by expressive herbal notes of bramble, eucalyptus, rosemary, sage, and thyme. A dusting of black pepper, nutmeg, vanilla, and clove imparts intriguing bits of spice while suggestions of tar, hot asphalt, and dry soil provide rugged reflections of terroir. Impressively inky, robust, and extracted on the palate while coming across as both powerful and nicely approachable; exhibiting a bold and admirably audacious presentation that combines seductive concentration of fruit with intriguing spicy and savory nuances. Full bodied with thick velvety tannin balanced by surprisingly bright acidity. This 2019 Paso Robles Petite Sirah by Ultima Tulie Wines is a full-throttle and ferocious red from California.

Well known as a hearty and deeply-colored variety capable of making exceptionally powerful red wine, Petite Sirah has established a firm foothold in vineyards throughout California and is a crowd favorite when grown in warmer sun-drenched regions. This bottling, crafted using 100% Petite Sirah sourced from the French Camp and Kukkula Vineyards in Paso Robles, showcases the heights of intensity and depth this resurgent variety is capable of achieving. This broods with a plump core of jammy dark fruits layered with chocolatey oak notes, rich florals, gorgeous brambly herbs, and untamed earthiness. Despite its unabashedly fruit-forward style the inclusion of 19% whole clusters has imparted beautifully spiced and rugged characteristics here, and these non-fruit qualities should continue to assert themselves further with additional bottle age. Excellent.