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
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
|