J. Lohr "Tower Road Vineyard" Petite Sirah 2020 Paso Robles - California

For the first time in 13 vintages, a small amount of Viognier is present in this wine. The grapes are grown on welldraining, heavy soils in Paso Robles’ Estrella District, where cooling winds meet warm days. Aged 16 months in (50% new) French oak, the result is not your typical Petite Sirah. Yes, it’s a true teethcoater, with blue fruit surging on a velvety sheath of black cherry and vanilla, but the aromas and flavors of violets, sweet plum, garden herbs, and white pepper remain distinct. It finishes with a lovely cranberry brightness.

This is a boomer of a wine, starting with hearty, clean and rich aromas of black currant and opulent caramel. There’s a firm, tannic frame to the sip, giving some balance to the cassis, baking spice and dried strawberry flavors.