New Clairvaux Vineyard, Tehama County (California) Petite Sirah “Poor Souls Block” 2020 ($33)

The Trappist monks of Tehama have worked their wonders again with this Petite. Making full use of talented winemaker Aimee Sunseri, their version is a super-sized Petite that is multi-layered with all parts working together. In the glass it is opaque, and its aromas offer ripe blackberry and black olive with some hints of clove and spice. On the palate, it is big, but also plush and round with great flavor concentration of dark fruit and herbs. In the finish there is a pleasing hint of chocolate to add length to the youthful, slightly tannic aftertaste. Impressive overall, it sure could benefit from a few years of cellaring.
94 Norm Roby