Francis Coppola Reserve Petite Sirah Dessert Wine

“Our limited production Francis Coppola Reserve Dessert Wine is a decadent experience because of the rich, lush character of the fruit. Gorgeous aromas of kirsch and blackberries mingle with notes of toffee and Chinese “five spice,” the wine overflows with flavor intensity. Nuances of figs, currants, cinnamon sticks and toasted wood. Enjoy our dessert wine with sweets such as dulce de leche, flourless chocolate cake or flambéed cherry crepes. Or pair with strong cheeses like Stilton and aged Gouda.”

The 2017 growing season began with a good deal of precipitation, but after a mild spring,temperatures increased and remained quite warm throughout summer and fall. The vintage delivered smaller than average clusters, which led to excellent concentration and high quality fruit. This varietal typically boasts nuances of black fruits and dark chocolate, but the flavors are transformed a bit through the fortification process, creating additional notes of butterscotch and baking spices.

Once the grapes are harvested, they are placed in special tanks and allowed to only partially ferment before a clear neutral brandy is added to the wine to stop fermentation from completely converting the sugar. This is what creates a sweet wine as opposed to a traditional dry table wine. Our Petite Sirah Dessert Wine is aged in small oak barrels for an extended cellaring period in order to ease the tannins and heighten flavor complexity.