Very limited!
“I’ll stop wearing black when they invent a darker color”
– Wednesday Addams, Circa 1960
 
95-Points by Anne Sewell
The Vandella 2022 Vantablack Petite Sirah is aptly named after the darkest pigment to exist known to man with its inky, dark color in the glass and its endless depth of flavors. The wine opens with rich aromas of violets, forest floor, dark chocolate covered almonds, blackberries, blueberries, and toffee. On the palate, the wine has flavors of sweet baking spices, cocoa powder, blackberry strudel, and hazelnuts, complemented by silky tannins and a long, lingering, dynamic finish. This wine makes you feel like you’ve snuggled up under a quilt with a patchwork of incredible depth and intensity balanced by juicy acidity, living up to its iconic name.
 
Vandella Vineyards – Our story!
More about the 2022 VANDELLA VANTABLACK SUISUN VALLEY PETITE SIRAH.
Where music meets viticulture, Vandella Wines is a testament to the relentless pursuit of excellence. Aaron Robinson, a composer turned winemaker, embarked on a journey infused with mysticism. The name “Vandella” pays homage to a folklore figure, a ghost said to haunt dreams. This serendipitous connection was cemented by the discovery of a vintage cast-iron ghost in the vineyard, which became the winery’s mascot.
Vandella’s story began in 2011 with a small, two-barrel production of Paso Robles wine. The initial spark ignited a following, culminating in the acquisition of an estate winery and vineyard in Napa in 2017.
Named after Vantablack, the world’s blackest material, Aaron’s signature Petite Sirah is as enigmatic as its namesake. Sourced from 27-year-old vines in Suisun Valley, south of Napa, this 2022 vintage is a testament to the depth and intensity of the terroir. The inky hue, reminiscent of Vantablack, absorbs all light, while the 24 months of aging in premium French oak have imparted a velvety texture and beautifully balanced acidity. The result is a luxurious, lingering finish that mirrors the profound character of its unique origin.
Winery Notes: “The name Vantablack derives from a pigment coating that was developed in 2014 by the British company Surrey Nanosystems. The pigment was created for NASA to research and study blackholes. Vantablack absorbs 99.965% of incident light making it the world’s darkest material. In the context of Petite Sirah, Vantablack is a suitable acronym; it’s deep, dark, saturating, and you can get lost in it.
The 2022 Vantablack is 100% Petite Sirah crafted from 27 year old vines grown in Suisun Valley, CA (Napa’s neighbor to the south). This vintage exhibits super fine delicate tannins and gentle acid with juicy layers of plum, blackberry, blueberry, vanilla, and cocoa powder. Aged for 24 months in 100% premium French oak / 50% new barrels, the 2022 Vantablack is so textured, layered, and nuanced, that every sip is a revelation. Not a wine you drink, a wine you experience.
Petite Sirah (“Peh-teet sear-ah”) (aka Durif or Petite Syrah) was first found growing in France in the mid-1800s. People love it for its extraordinarily deep color and full-bodied flavors of blueberry, chocolate, plums, and black pepper. Despite its popularity, Petite Sirah is an exceptionally rare grape with less than 10,000 planted acres worldwide, growing mainly in California.
The Difference Between Petite Sirah and Syrah
Petite Sirah is not just a more “petite” version of Syrah (or Shiraz), it’s a distinct grape variety. Petite Sirah is the offspring of Syrah and Peloursin. If you’ve never heard of Peloursin, that’s understandable: it’s nearly extinct, found in just a few places in the French Alps.
Despite “petite” being in its name, it’s not a lesser version of Syrah. It was named for its small grapes that grow in tight clusters.
How Petite Sirah Tastes
Petite Sirah has a bold structure, with high tannins and medium bright acidity. On the palate, it shares dark fruit flavors similar to Malbec or Cabernet Sauvignon but has a more robust and tannic profile.
Compared to its parent grapes, Syrah and Peloursin, Petite Sirah exhibits more concentrated tannins and darker fruit flavors, while maintaining Syrah’s spiciness and Peloursin’s vibrant acidity.