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Wines of the Week:
Compelling Cali-Rhone - Petite Sirah

Petite Sirah is a bit of an enigma. It's kind of a Rhone grape variety, and it's really not. The grape's origin is from a cross of Syrah pollen germinating a Peloursin plant, but it's not widely grown in France. However, in many regions of California, Petite Sirah thrives and produces wines that compliment hearty and spicy dishes very well. Here are some top-notch ones to try:

Click on labels to enlarge

Shannon Ridge 2013 "High Elevation" Petite Sirah
Winery: Shannon Ridge
Grape(s): 100% Petite Sirah

Region: Lake County, California
Year: 2013

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price:
15-20

Review:
A bouquet of blueberries, blackberries, smoky oak, and vanilla greets the senses. The palate showcases flavors of blueberry, blackberry, and cherry that unfold into traces of oak, vanilla, and minerals. Offering dark fruit and polished tannins, open a bottle with BBQ ribs. 6,325 cases produced.
Rating: 90

Vina Robles 2013 Petite Sirah
Winery: Vina Robles
Grape(s): 100% Petite Sirah

Region: Paso Robles , Ca

Year: 2013

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price:
25-30

Review:
Aromatics of blueberries, plums, and blackberries meld with suggestions of earth and spice on the nose. A sip reveals flavors of blueberry, blackberry, and plum that interweave with traces of clove, earth, and dark chocolate. A rich wine with cocoa tannins, a pulled pork sandwich would make a fine pairing. 3,195 cases were made.
Rating: 90

Brecon 2013 Petite Sirah
Winery: Brecon
Grape(s): 100% Petite Sirah

Region: Monterey County, Ca

Year: 2013

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price:
n/a

Review:
Fragrances of blueberries, blackberries, leather, and spice rise up from a glass. Blackberry, blueberry, and black cherry flavors emerge on the palate, along with allusions of sweet spice and earth. With inviting fruit and refined tannins, a hearty Mexican dish would make an ideal companion. 134 cases produced.
Rating: 90

Steele 2013 "Writer's Block" Petite Sirah
Winery: Steele
Grape(s): 100% Petite Sirah

Region: Lake County, Ca

Year: 2013

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price:
15-20

Review:
Cherry, blueberry, and plum aromas meld with traces of pepper and dark chocolate on the nose. Flavors of black cherries, blueberries, and plums unite with elements of smoky oak, earth, and dark chocolate on the palate. Polished taninns and ample fruit give this Petite Sirah a very approachable quality. 1,000 cases were made.
Rating: 89

Hunt Cellars 2010 "Irresistible" Petite Sirah
Winery: Hunt Cellars
Grape(s): 100% Petite Sirah

Region: Paso Robles , Ca

Year: 2013

Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification: n/a
Price:
40-45

Review:
Aromas of blueberries, blackberries, and dark cherries fuse with elements of anise, cedar, and clove on the nose. With a sip, flavors of blueberry, black cherry, and boysenberry coalesce with undertones of sweet spice, smoky oak, and anise on the palate. A wine with compelling layers and supple tannins, it's an excellent, elegant Petite Sirah.
Rating: 95

By Jason Barlow

Top Photo credit: Faisal Akram Ether via Foter.com / CC BY-SA

Ratings Key:
96 — 100
Spectacular
92 — 95
Outstanding
89 — 91
Great
85 — 88
Good
81 — 84
Solid

*Wines rated with a "+" need a bit more time to reach peak quality
but will do so over the coming years

 

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