SCORES AND AWARDS

89 POINTS - JAMESSUCKLING.COM

This is a rustic and savory wine with aromas of dark fruit, earth and spices. The palate is full-bodied with firm tannins and a full-throttle finish. Drink now.

-James Gordon

95 POINTS - GRAPELIVE.COM

The 2023 is one of the best vintages of Theodora Lee’s estate Petite Sirah to date in my opinion, as I’ve been following this unique vineyard for more than a decade, and I love the dark and spicy character and depth from this long cool growing season and I think it will age beautifully for two decades in the bottle! The Theopolis Vineyards Petite Sirah is a deep purple/black hued wine with a full bodied palate of blackberry, damson plum, blueberry compote, bramble berry and cherry fruits, along with a partial whole cluster crunch of umami, peppercorns, subtle earthiness as well as nicely integrated wood notes and a lovely floral array. This is a real rewarding Petite with a poised balance and complex nuances, best to enjoy this decanted for a few hours and with a hearty meal, with something like BBQ and or lamb being good options. The natural tannins, which are perfectly tuned, and lift from the acidity, because of the high elevation and proximity to the Pacific Ocean’s cooling influences, make this totally distinct from most other versions of Petite Sirah and give this wine an almost Northern Rhône like feel and presence in the glass, which I find remarkably sexy here! Theodora Lee’s  Signature Petite Sirah typically in recent years uniquely sees about a third whole cluster and stems in the fermentation, which is done in open top five ton stainless steel vats and gets a cool and lengthy maceration on the skins before being pressed to barrel. While in recent years Theopolis has added many interesting other wines to the lineup, this Petite Sirah really is the signature standout here and I highly recommend it.