ALISOS CANYON AVA  |  SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

Reviews

Jeb Dunnuck  93 points ~ The 2021 Petite Sirah Thompson Vineyard is a perennial winner. Coming all from the Thompson Vineyard in the Alisos Canyon region of Santa Barbara County and brought up in 18% new American oak, its deep purple hue is followed by a beautiful array of red, black, and blue fruits interwoven with cedarwood, flowery incense, and peppery herbs. It's rich and full-bodied, with beautiful fruit and fine tannins. This is one incredibly classy Petite Sirah that has plenty of up-front appeal yet, I suspect, the balance and structure to evolve for well over a decade. Maturity 2023-2034. — Jeb Dunnuck

Vinous  94 points ~ The 2021 Petite Sirah Thompson Vineyard is terrific and also a step up from most previous years. Longer time in barrel (18 months versus 10) and a cooler growing season are among the reasons the Petite is so strong in 2021. There's plenty of inky, primary Petite fruit and fabulous purity, along with exceptional balance. What a great way to end this tasting. Drinking window 2023-2031. — Antonio Galloni

Wine Enthusiast  94 points ~ Petite Sirah remains an uncommon variety in Santa Barbara County, but this vineyard's fruit constantly makes us question why. This Jaffurs spin on the grape begins with dark cacao bean and charcoal aromas that are wrapped in lush cassis and elderflower tones. The palate is intense with purple fruit and flower, but in a measured way, set atop creamy tannins. Powerful but silky. — Matt Kettmann

2020 Petite Sirah, Thompson Vineyard

Jeb Dunnuck  93 points ~ This cuvée always delivers, and the 2020 Petite Sirah Thompson Vineyard is no exception, with tons of smoky black fruits and chocolate notes, full-bodied richness, a round, lush, powerful texture, and a great finish. If you have an itch for powerful, unctuous, yet balanced Petite Sirah, this will scratch it. — Jeb Dunnuck

Wine Enthusiast  93 points Editors' Choice ~ Petite Sirah is still a rare grape in Santa Barbara County, but each vintage this bottling makes one wonder why. Soft tones of blueberry compote mix with pepper, crushed rock, and dark woodspice on the nose. There's an oaky kick to the palate, where baked blueberry and black-plum-juice flavors are lifted by baking spice. — Matt Kettmann

Vinous  91 points ~ The 2020 Petite Sirah Thompson Vineyard is an inky, plush wine. Aging in American oak adds cola-like sweetness. Dark, inky, lavendar and chocolate. The Petite sticks out a bit in this range, but is nicely done. The decision to extend barrel aging to 18 months appears to have been a good one. Drinking window 2023-2030. — Antonio Galloni

2019 Petite Sirah, Thompson Vineyard

Jeb Dunnuck  92 points ~ The 2019 Petite Sirah Thompson Vineyard (100% varietal) comes from a great site in Alisos Canyon and was brought up in American oak. This deep purple effort boasts loads of black and blue fruits, candied violets, vanilla oak, and peppery herb aromatics to go with a full-bodied, mouth-filling, nicely textured, yet still straight and structured style on the palate. It's a nearly perfect steakhouse red and should have a decade of longevity, although there's no need to delay gratification. Maturity 2021-2031. — Jeb Dunnuck

Wine Enthusiast  93 points Editors' Choice ~ One of the few Petite Sirahs from Santa Barbara County, this bottling always shows an intriguing cool-climate kick, starting with intensely floral aromas of violet, cassis, and blueberry ice cream. The palate shows those floral tones even more powerfully than the nose, loaded with black fruit, lavender, more violet, and a pinch of pepper spice. — Matt Kettman

Vinous  93 points ~ The 2019 Petite Sirah Thompson Vineyard is an inky, deep, full throttle wine. A touch of American oak works well with the natural richness of the Petit fruit. Crème de cassis, blackberry jam, mint, lavender, chocolate, spice, and lavender linger. Drinking window 2023-2031. — Antonio Galloni