Blueberry preserves, green peppercorn, black forest cherry. Chocolate covered açaí, sage brush, anise liqueur. Immensely inky and extracted eruptions of blackberry pie filling, licorice, and dark plum boom with impressive opulence and richness while wafts of violet oil, lavender, and crushed rose provide powerful waves of dark floral perfume. Notes of bramble, fennel, smoldering tobacco, and dried leaves eagerly impart intriguing natural and herbal charms balanced against layered spice tones of cinnamon, vanilla, and dill. Hints of smoke, black coffee, and charred meat playfully reveal a range of beguiling roasted qualities that eventually relent behind suggestions of limestone-rich earth. Delightfully bold, structured, and robust on the palate while remaining admirably poised and polished; exhibiting a fruit-driven yet savory presentation that is dark, viscous, and teeth-staining in appearance yet still beautifully well balanced and approachable. Full bodied with elevated tannin backed by just over moderate acidity. This 2019 Estate LaMar Vineyard Petite Sirah by Optio Vineyards is a rugged and powerful red from the Geneseo District of Paso Robles.

Though it often produces some of the world's most muscular and tannic red wine, Petite Sirah is a grape that is capable of expressing wonderful complexity and nuance whenever skilled winemakers can manage to tame its naturally brawny character. This bottling, crafted by Optio Vineyards using Petite Sirah sourced from their estate LaMar Vineyard in Paso Robles, is a remarkably compelling example of how this bold variety can simultaneously present both balance and power. This wine effortlessly gushes gobs of rich dark fruits backed by notably perfumed florals, brambly herbal notes, smoky savory tones, and well integrated oak spice. Although surprisingly approachable today this will benefit from at least 3-5 years of further aging, and is sure to impress lovers of decadent and concentrated new world reds. Outstanding.