BACK
Wild Oak Vineyard
94 pts., Gold Medal | Harvest "Terroir" Challenge
Tasting Notes
This inky red wine opens with inviting aromas of mixed berry pie accented by a subtle hint of dried citrus. On the palate, the wine is soft and velvety, revealing layered notes of graphite, lavender, and anise that add both elegance and intrigue. Brûléed sugar nuances weave seamlessly with silky dark chocolate and earthy espresso, enhancing the wine’s densely concentrated structure. Hints of plum, clove, and sweet tobacco add depth, while vibrant acidity provides refined tension and carries through to a long, savory finish.
Vintage Notes
Our 2022 harvest began just a little earlier than the previous year, with the first fruit picked on August 15. Limited rainfall during the growing season produced slightly lighter crops, bringing intense, concentrated flavor and color. The consistent weather during the summer months helped maintain fruit acidity, bringing brightness and balance to the fruit’s flavors. Harvest continued through the middle of October when we picked the last red grapes from our Sonoma Valley estate, Wild Oak Vineyard.
Vineyard Notes
A thick-skinned varietal, Petite Sirah has a vigorous canopy, needing long, warm days in order to fully mature. Our Certified Sustainable Wild Oak Estate Vineyard is located in the heart of Sonoma Valley, at the foot of the Mayacamas Mountains, where well-drained soils and hot summer afternoons provide the warm, dry climate and growing conditions that Petite Sirah loves.
Winemaker Notes
Petite Sirah grapes have very thick skins and are known to have easily extractable tannin and color. Because of this, the grapes undergo a long cold soak before a gentle and cool fermentation in order to achieve optimal color and aroma. Fermentation is watched closely, and when a balance is found between tannin and fruit, the wine is racked off its skins and pumped into French oak barrels where it undergoes natural malolactic fermentation, followed by elevage. This wine is aged longer than many of our other reds, 26 months, to ensure the tannins are velvety and that the wine is immediately drinkable upon release.
