Description
Born and raised in northern Bulgaria, Miroslav “Miro” Tcholakov was exposed to wine and winemaking at a very early age. His grandfather had made the family supply of wine, and as a boy, Miro was at his side during all phases of the process. After completing his mandatory military service, Miro attended the Higher Institute of Agriculture in Plovdiv, where he studied viticulture and enology. Soon after graduation in the summer of 1990, he was chosen from hundreds of candidates to participate in an international agriculture exchange program. After a few months in Napa, he was taken on as harvest intern at Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Vineyard. What was supposed to be a temporary harvest job turned into a nine-year position, moving through the ranks from Cellar Master to Assistant Winemaker. In 1998, Miro went to work as Winemaker for Trentadue Winery (which is still his “day job”); in addition to managing several custom crush operations for other winemaker clients. In 2001, Miro started his own brand with his inaugural bottling of Petite Sirah.
It is no wonder that we are excited to be featuring his 2022 bottling as part of our Wine Club. It has been a while since we have found such a plush and approachable Petite Sirah that is an equally appealing value at only $20 retail! Made up of 98% Petite Sirah and 2% Zinfandel from Coyote Ridge's upper block vineyard, situated in the middle of Dry Creek Valley. The fruit was hand-sorted, and fermented in small open-top fermentors with the fewest hand punch-downs needed daily, with the goal of extracting all the beautiful Petite Sirah aroma while also discouraging harsh tannins. Malolactic fermentation and aging in French oak barrels (25% new) for about 18 months. Decadent but not cloying, with ample acid for the wonderfully extracted and richly fruited palate. Intense aromas and flavors of mixed, ripe, black summer berries, plus sweet, toasted notes of cocoa and toffee close out the long, exotically spiced, juicy finish. Very smooth with super-fine tannins, drink now!
320 cases produced.
