Markham Petite Sirah

Markham Petite Sirah is a full-bodied Napa Valley red wine at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml bottle, produced from 100% Petite Sirah grapes. What distinguishes this bottling is its sourcing from dry-farmed, 85-year-old vines — an exceptional age that contributes concentrated fruit and structural depth rarely found at this price tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: St. Helena, Napa Valley, California  |  Varietal: 100% Petite Sirah  |  Producer: Markham Vineyards

Production & Heritage

Markham Vineyards is located in the St. Helena district of Napa Valley, one of the region's most historic winemaking areas. The Petite Sirah grapes come from dry-farmed vines that have been producing for roughly 85 years — old enough that the root systems reach deep into the earth, pulling complexity and mineral character that younger vines simply cannot replicate. The wine undergoes a distinctive double-oak aging regimen: it spends its first year in new American oak barrels before completing maturation in new French oak. This 200% new oak treatment is aggressive on paper, yet the wine's concentration from those ancient vines absorbs the wood influence without being overwhelmed.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with vivid violets and ripe plum, moving into deeper layers of dark fruit. There is a subtle floral lift that keeps the aromatics from feeling heavy despite the wine's density.

Taste: On entry, a rush of lush blackberry fruit floods the palate with immediate richness. The mid-palate transitions into dark chocolate and baker's spices — cinnamon, allspice, and a trace of nutmeg — all carried by firm, grippy tannins that speak to the Petite Sirah grape's naturally robust structure. The overall impression is one of power balanced by ripe, generous fruit.

Finish: The finish is long and layered, with white pepper emerging as the most prominent spice note alongside lingering dark berry. A fine-grained tannic texture carries the flavors well past the final sip, leaving a dry yet satisfying close.

How to Drink Markham Petite Sirah

This wine is best served at cellar temperature (60–65°F) and benefits from 30 minutes of decanting to open up the dense fruit and soften the tannins. It drinks well on its own but truly comes alive alongside food.

In a Kalimotxo, the wine's dark fruit intensity stands up to cola without losing its identity. A red wine Sangria built on Markham Petite Sirah gains serious backbone from the tannin structure and spice notes. For a simple warm-weather serve, a Wine Spritzer with sparkling water and a citrus twist tames the weight while preserving the blackberry core.

Best For

• Pairing with a backyard barbecue featuring smoked brisket or grilled tri-tip
• Building a Napa Valley collection with a varietal beyond Cabernet Sauvignon
• Gifting a red wine lover who appreciates bold, full-bodied styles
• Winter dinner parties centered around braised meats or hearty stews

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Markham Petite Sirah taste like? Markham Petite Sirah leads with bold blackberry and dark chocolate, supported by baker's spices and a long white pepper finish. It is a full-bodied, tannic wine with notable power and concentration.

How does Markham Petite Sirah compare to Syrah/Shiraz? Despite the similar names, Petite Sirah (Durif) produces darker, more tannic wines than most Syrah bottlings; Markham's version is denser and more structured than a typical Napa Syrah, with heavier extraction and a chewier mouthfeel. Syrah tends to lean more toward savory, peppery, and meaty notes, while this Petite Sirah emphasizes dark fruit concentration.

Is Markham Petite Sirah good for sipping neat? Yes — its layered fruit, spice complexity, and long finish make it well-suited for contemplative sipping, though decanting for at least 30 minutes helps integrate the tannins.

Where is Markham Petite Sirah made? Markham Vineyards is situated in the St. Helena district of Napa Valley, California. The grapes are sourced from dry-farmed, 85-year-old vines within the Napa Valley appellation.

What foods pair well with Markham Petite Sirah? Smoked brisket pairs naturally with the wine's dark fruit and tannic grip. Braised short ribs complement the baker's spice notes. Aged cheddar or Gruyère match the wine's weight and oak influence. Dark chocolate desserts echo the cocoa tones on the mid-palate. Grilled lamb chops with rosemary also work well, as the herb lifts the wine's peppery finish.

What sizes does Markham Petite Sirah come in? Markham Petite Sirah is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Markham Petite Sirah worth the price? Markham Petite Sirah positions as a mid-range Napa Valley red that punches above its weight, largely due to the old-vine sourcing and double-oak aging process. For a 100% Petite Sirah from 85-year-old Napa vines, the value proposition is strong relative to other old-vine bottlings from the region.

Why Markham Petite Sirah?

Eighty-five-year-old, dry-farmed vines are a genuinely rare asset in any wine region, and they are the engine behind this wine's intensity. The double-oak aging — first American, then French — is an unusual technique that layers vanilla sweetness and structural spice without burying the fruit, a testament to how concentrated the base wine is. Petite Sirah remains one of Napa Valley's under-recognized varietals, often overshadowed by Cabernet Sauvignon, yet capable of producing wines with equal depth and cellar potential. Markham's version makes a compelling case for the grape, delivering old-vine complexity in a style that rewards both immediate enjoyment and patient aging.