About the Wine

Sumo is a Cote Rotie twist on Petite Sirah - Petite Sirah co-fermented with Viognier, and blended with a small amount of Syrah. The 2014 Sumo is a blend of 84% Petite Sirah, 13% Syrah, and 3% Viognier, all from Shake Ridge Vineyard. The Petite comes from three blocks, one is 80% rock and produces small, thick-skinned berries with intense aromatics and dense structure. The second Petite block also has very rocky soil with a western exposure - the berries are ever so slightly larger and the skins slightly thinner (remember this is still Petite!), bringing a juicy elegance to the blend. The third Petite block is at the bottom of a north-facing block, and is all about vibrant, fresh fruit - the lifter of the trio.

The 2014 Sumo was aged in a mix of barriques, Muids d’Oc, and Demi Muids – all French Burgundian cooperage - 75% of which was new. The nose is exotic, showing layers of clove, plumeria, slate, iodine, sandalwood, orange oil, mulberry, black cherry, and tobacco. The palate carries the blue and black fruit, spice, and black peppercorn, with creosote and bittersweet chocolate on the plush finish. Ah, Sumo.