Archive: USA: California: Petite Sirah
Baileyana 2003 Syrah Edna Valley Grand Firepeak Vineyard ($30). Tightly wound black currant and fleshy plum flavors are laced with aromatic white pepper and lavender accents. Quite pretty. Ready to drink now and over the next five or six years. (Weekend Wine 12/05)
Bianchi 2004 Petite Sirah Paso Robles ($24). Balanced, with pretty blackberry and deep plum fruit laced with smoky black pepper, a touch of chocolate and a dash of roasted herbal notes. Ready to drink now. Tasty with grilled lamb chops and sauteed spinach with garlic and toasted pinenuts. (Picks & Nibbles 11/07)
Clay Station 2001 Petite Sirah Lodi ($16). New wine from Delicato offers an appealing bouquet of sweet red fruit, coffee and vanilla aromas. Concentrated red cherry and currant fruit flavors are balanced and spiked with black pepper and bittersweet chocolate. Nice finish. Very good now and over the next couple of years. (Richard’s Picks, 06/03)
Clayhouse 2005 Petite Sirah Paso Robles ($23). Dense and ripe, with dark fruit — blueberry, black plum — aromas and flavors that pack a punch. With warm spices that include cinnamon, nutmeg and black pepper lingering on the lush finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2008-10-03)
Concannon Vineyards
2003 Petite Sirah Central Coast ($15). Slightly simpler than expected, but still appealing for its ripe red fruit flavors, warm spices and toasty oak. Easy to drink now and over the next year or two. (Richard’s Picks, 10/05) Locate this wine online or in your area.
2001 Petite Sirah Livermore Valley Heritage ($45). Very good – and worth the splurge price. With deftly balanced jammy fruitt – think blackberry and black cherry – leading the way for smoky black pepper, fresh earth and spicy oak nuances. What a high-end Petite Sirah should be! Ready to drink now and over the next five or six years. (Richard’s Picks, 10/05) Locate this wine online or in your area.
2001 Petite Sirah Central Coast Selected Vineyards ($10). Black cherry fruit is laced with a gamy character — this is not your everyday $10 wine! Dry, tannic structure. Would be ideal paired with grilled meats and summer barbecue. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine, 03/04) Locate this wine online or in your area.
2001 Petite Sirah Livermore Valley Reserve Limited Release ($24). Smoky note on bouquet introduces appealing earthy notes that are balanced with ripe, red fruit. Picks up chocolate notes on lush finish. Ready to drink now and over the next three or four years. (Weekend Wine, 03/04) Locate this wine online or in your area.
2000 Petite Sirah Livermore Valley Heritage ($36). Deep, inky purple color and concentrated spice and black currant bouquet lead to a beautifully structured wine. Features black plum and currant fruit, roasted coffee, chocolate, and spicy oak. Ready to drink now and over the next 5-8 years. (Weekend Wine, 03/04) Locate this wine online or in your area.
David Bruce
2004 Petite Syrah Central Coast ($20). Ripe raspberry and currant flavors are laced with coffee, dried herbs and toasty vanilla. Ready to drink now. (Wine Tastings 12/06) Locate this wine online or in your area.
2003 Petite Syrah Paso Robles Shell Creek Vineyard ($30). Black cherry and berry flavors pick up mocha, toasty oak and tobacco notes on the long finish. Ready to drink now and over the next three or four years. (Wine Tastings 12/06)
2002 Petite Syrah Central Coast ($16). Seriously funky bouquet, then intense, focused red fruit and spices. Meaty, chewy tannins make it a bit rough at this young stage, but should smooth out nicely and be a good, complex wine at a value price. Drink from 2005-2010. (Weekend Wine, 03/04)
EOS 2001 Petite Sirah Paso Robles Cupa Grandis Grand Barrel Reserve ($40). Lush, deep dark purple color with a sweet fruit and vanilla bouquet. Ripe and jammy, this is a big wine. Flavors include red currant jam, baking spices, milk chocolate and a spicy finish. Very, very good. Ready to drink now and over the next four or five years. (Party Planning, 02/04)
Field Stone 1997 Staten Family Reserve Petite Sirah ($28). Wonderful wine and a great value at this price. Rich and jammy, full of concentrated plum and black cherry fruit. Heady spice and subtle floral notes and aromas add complexity and sophistication. Very good now and over the next five years. (Wine Tasting Party, 06/01)
Fife 1999 Petite Syrah Redwood Valley Redhead Vineyard ($28). The exotic bouquet delivers with a rich, spicy, focused wine. Berry and black cherry are accented with tobacco, black pepper, and anise. Not a wine for the faint of heart! Ready to drink now and over the next three or four years. (Weekend Wine 02/02)
Foppiano
2003 Petite Sirah Russian River Valley Bacigalupi Vineyard ($18). Fruity and lighter than expected, with a slightly carbonated character. Ready to drink now. (Richard’s Picks, 10/05)
2002 Petite Sirah Russian River Valley ($23). Appealing blackberry and plum flavors are laced with mocha, a dash of earth, and dusty tannins. Moderate finish stays focused. Ready to drink now and over the next two or three years. (Richard’s Picks, 10/05)
2002 Petite Sirah Russian River Valley Bacigalupi Vineyard ($18). Pretty red berry fruit aromas and flavors are accented with white pepper and toffee notes. Smooth and appealing, even at this young stage. Ready to drink now and over the next three years. (Weekend Wine, 03/04)
2001 Petite Sirah Paso Robles ($15). Lively acidity adds balance to the jammy red berry fruit. Finishes with vanilla oak. Full-bodied with plenty of tannic structure, but still supple in the mouth. A lot of wine for the money. Very good now and over the next four or five years. (Richard’s Picks, 06/03)
2001 Petite Sirah Russian River Valley Bacigalupi Vineyard ($18). Earthy bouquet is laced with floral and white pepper notes. Surprisingly smooth and medium-bodied, with red berry, wild blackberry and vanilla oak. Drink now and over the next three years. (Richard’s Picks, 06/03)
2000 Petite Sirah Sonoma County ($21). Firm structure balances focused blackberry, cherry and plum fruit with spicy dark chocolate, black pepper and vanilla. Beautiful dark purple color, heady ripe bouquet, slightly jammy mouthfeel, generous finish. Delicious! Ready to drink now and over the next five years. (Richard’s Picks, 06/03)
1999 Petite Syrah Sonoma County ($20). Deep and rich, with concentrated cherry and bittersweet chocolate flavors. Plenty of spice is wonderful. Ready to drink now and over the next six years. (Weekend Wine, 08/01)
Guenoc
2001 Petite Sirah North Coast ($18). Very good — black currant and plum and blueberry with baking spices and toast vanilla. (Richard’s Picks, 10/05)
2000 Petite Sirah North Coast ($19). Lovely, perfumed bouquet leads to sweet red cherry and plum fruit laced with warm spices and toasty oak. A good example of the softer, gentler Petite Sirahs that are becoming the norm these days. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine, 03/04)
1999 Petite Sirah Guenoc Valley Serpentine Meadow Reserve ($25). Full-bodied but craftily balanced, displaying ripe black cherry, blackberry and chocolate aromas and flavors, with distinctive spice, black pepper and floral accents. Very nice now and over the next three or four years. (Richard’s Picks, 06/03)
JC Cellars 2006 Petite Syrah Mendocino County Eaglepoint Ranch ($45). Beyond full-bodied — this one’s huge and very nearly thick, but still offers admirable balance and structure. Sandalwood, floral and pepper aromas accent ripe blueberry and blackberry flavors, with a touch of smoke on the long, lush finish. Ready to drink now and over the next 7-8 years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-12-31)
La Jota 2001 Petite Sirah Howell Mountain ($46). Spicy black currant aromas and flavors, with loads of vanilla oak and plenty of full-bodied kick. More big and bold than complex, this wine is not for the timid. Ready to drink now and over the next three or four years. (Richard’s Picks 08/04)
Lolonis 2001 Petite Sirah Redwood Valley Orpheus Heritage Vineyard ($40). Cherry, cracked black pepper and barnyard aromas and flavors are on the clunky side, particularly at this price. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (Richard’s Picks, 10/05)
Markham
1999 Petite Sirah Napa Valley ($23). Dense black fruit is layered with wild herbs and smoky notes, picking up mocha on the finish. Muscular tannic structure. Good acidity. Ready to drink now and over the next ten years. (Richard’s Picks, 06/03)
1997 Petite Sirah Napa Valley ($20). This is a fantastic buy and an excellent wine. Dried cherry, deep plum, and rich tobacco flavors are prominent here, with plenty of well-structured tannins. Big finish. Drink now and over the next decade or so. (Wine Tasting Party, 06/01)
Marr Cellars
2002 Petite Sirah California Tehama Foothills ($28). Quite nice, with lush chocolatey notes weaving through ripe red berry and cherry fruit, cinnamon and allspice, and a subtle kick of black pepper on the finish. Ready to drink now and over the next three or four years. (Richard’s Picks, 10/05)
2001 Petite Sirah California Cuvee Patrick ($13). Dried cherry and wild berry flavors are backed by dusty tannins and a slightly austere finish. Needs food, but still an overall appealing wine and a good value. Ready to drink now. (Richard’s Picks, 10/05)
Mazzocco
2007 Petite Sirah Dry Creek Valley Pony Reserve ($50). Lush, big, full of flavor and structure — this is outstanding Petite Sirah. With concentrated currant, blackberry, dried blueberries and a dash of bright cherry that all stays focused and intense right through the full finish, picking up accents of tobacco, black pepper and deep chocolate along the way. Ready to drink now and over the next 4-5 years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2011-05-27)
2005 Petite Sirah Dry Creek Valley Aguilera ($35). Plush and concentrated, with blackberry and plum jam flavors that pick up hints of fresh tobacco, anise and earthy vanilla bean accents that linger on the long, fruity finish. Ready to drink now and over the next three or four years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-09-07)
Novella 2000 Petite Sirah Paso Robles Estate Bottled ($13). This wine was a nice surprise – we don’t find too many good Petite Sirahs at this price point. Smooth and tasty, medium-bodied, with velvety black plum fruit accented with sweet clove and smoke, ending with luscious mocha and oak. Ready to drink now. (Bargain Wines, 10/02)
Parducci
2007 Petite Sirah Mendocino True Grit ($30). Rich and concentrated, offering black currant, blackberry and blueberry character that tastes like old vine fruit. With accents of licorice, dark chocolate and black pepper, and a long finish that stays focused and intense. Ready to drink now and over the next 3-4 years. I paired it with a hearty black bean terrine, but it is also a natural partner to grilled meats of all kinds. (2011-01-13)
2006 Petite Sirah Mendocino True Grit ($30). Concentrated blackberry and blueberry character is accented with wild herbs and dried flower notes. Very nice structure and elegance, with a long peppery finish. Ready to drink now and over the next 4-5 years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-12-31)2002 Petite Sirah California ($10). Nice! Grapey and ripe, with red cherry, pepper and baking spices, and toasty oak flavors. A heck of a deal, if not overly complex. Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 10/05)
2000 Petite Sirah California Vinter Select ($10). Heck of a deal, with ripe and lush blackberry and plum fruit, dark chocolate and spicy oak aromas and flavors. Good structure, generous finish. Ready to drink now and over the next year or two. (Weekend Wine, 03/04)
Pedroncelli 2001 Petite Sirah Dry Creek Valley Family Vineyards ($15). A little funky earth laces the ripe black cherry and blackberry flavors and aromas, picking up dashes of mocha and black pepper along with dusty tannins on the moderate finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (Richard’s Picks, 10/05)
Ravenswood 2008 Petite Sirah California Vintners Blend ($10). Quite impressive for just ten bucks, with deep black fruit flavors and aromas, good concentration and balance, and even some complexity in the form of chocolate and peppery-spice notes and a respectable finish. Ready to drink now. (2011-01-15)Red Truck 2007 Petite Sirah California ($11). Black cherry aromas and flavors are accented with dark spices and vanilla, with a ripe finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-03-16)
Rosenblum
2007 Petite Sirah Contra Costa County Heritage Clones ($17). This is an easy wine to like — appealingly rich and slick, with dark blackberry, blueberry, licorice and chocolate aromas and flavors that pick up a spirited peppery kick on the finish. Pair with roasted and grilled meats. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-07-02)
2004 Petite Sirah San Francisco Bay Heritage Clones ($20). A great value, with smooth, enchanting blackberry and blueberry fruit layered with sweet vanilla, ginger, milk chocolate and dash of peppery kick on the supple finish. Ready to drink now and over the next four or five years. (Wine Tastings 12/06)
2003 Petite Sirah Napa Valley Pickett Road ($28). Rich and deep, with blackberry and black currant fruit layered with mushroom, wet earth, vanilla and mineral notes. Big tannic structure supports a long meaty finish. Ready to drink now and over the next five or six years. (Richard’s Picks, 10/05)
Saracina 2005 Petite Sirah Mendocino County ($38). This is old vine wine, and it shows in the intense concentration and color — offering deep blackberry, blueberry and currant fruit laced with complex peppercorn and floral aromas and flavor notes. Long, smooth finish with substantial structure below. Should age nicely — delicious now and over the next 7-8 years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-12-31)
Scheutz Oles 2000 Petite Sirah Napa Valley Rattlesnake Acres Vineyard ($29). Huge wine, with ripe, jammy red fruit, baking spices, black pepper, violet and vanilla. 15% alcohol adds loads of richness, but does not taste hot. Very good now and over the next four or five years. (Richard’s Picks, 06/03)
Silkwood 2002 Petite Sirah Stanislaus County ($36). Elvis has left the building! All the red velvet and gold label and award stickers and super heavy bottle built up expectations for a larger than life wine. Instead, this one was a little on the light side, with moderate, smooth red cherry and plum flavors, a dash of baking spices and toasty oak. Ready to drink now. (Richard’s Picks, 10/05)
Spellbound 2002 Petite Sirah California ($15). Sweet cherry and red berry fruit is okay, but lacking in the oomph and spice that Petite Sirah should offer. Ready to drink now. (Richard’s Picks, 10/05)
St. Clement 2000 Petite Sirah Napa Valley ($32). Complex aromas of leather and black pepper give way to dense blackberry jam fruit with appealing floral notes. More complex aromas than flavors. Finishes juicy, if not particularly long. Drink now and over the next year or two. (Winery Spotlight, 02/04)
Stags’ Leap Winery
Stags’ Leap Winery 2003 Petite Syrah Napa Valley ($38). Delish! Smooth black cherry and blackberry flavors are laced with chocolate, blueberry pie, nutmeg and a touch of sweet earth. With a long, lipsmacking finish. Ready to drink now and over the next two or three years. (Wine Tastings 12/06)
2001 Petite Syrah Napa Valley ($31). Deep and rich, boasting ripe blackberry and cherry, waves of baking spices, mint, licorice, tobacco and smooth vanilla. A big, impressive wine – not for the faint of heart. Very good now and over the next four or five years. (Winery Spotlight, 08/04)
2000 Ne Cede Malis Napa Valley Reserve ($54). Predominately Petite Syrah — with all the expected inky, concentrated oomph. Rich black currant and berry fruit is layered with anise, earthy vanilla and plenty of warm spices. Has a meaty, roasted nut, almost chewy character. Not for the faint of heart! Ready to drink now and over the next five or six years. (By the way — the name is pronounced as Ne KAY Day Mah Lees…) (Weekend Wine, 11/04)
1999 Petite Sirah Napa Valley ($31). Really very good, offering focused dark, spicy plum and black currant fruit layered with earth, barnyard, and loads of peppery spice. Full, creamy mouthfeel. Nice acidity makes it food friendly. Very good now and over the next seven or eight years. (Richard’s Picks, 06/03)
1997 Petite Syrah Napa Valley ($32). Black cherry and wild berry fruit are framed on a delicious smoky oak frame, with anise and violet notes. So good – and widely available! Drink now and over the next seven or eight years. (Wine Tasting Party, 06/01)
Trentadue
2003 Petite Sirah Alexander Valley La Storia ($28). Big and ripe, with black cherry and blueberry jam, plenty o’ alcohol, and a peppery, bold finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (Richard’s Picks, 10/05)
2002 Petite Sirah Alexander Valley ($28). Slurpably delish, with an appealing array of flavors and aromas that include focused blackberry and black cherry, anise, a little earth, a little leather and toasty oak. Nice, bright acidity keeps things lively. Finishes long and lush. Ready to drink now and over the next four or five years. (Richard’s Picks, 10/05)
Trinafour 2006 Petite Sirah Mendocino County Niemi Vineyard ($30). From Saracina winemaker Alex MacGregor, this is lovely stuff. Big but balanced, and deeply concentrated, offering seductively spicy tobacco and baking spice accents to the inky blackberry, currant and cherry fruit. Long, complex finish. Ready to drink now and over the next 5-7 years. Locate this wine online or in your area. (2009-12-31)
Victor Hugo 2002 Petite Sirah Paso Robles ($18). Concentrated and grapey, with impressive tannic structure supporting full-bodied, ripe fruit flavors and sweet tobacco and spicy accents. Ready to drink now and over the next four or five years. (Weekend Wine, 05/05)
Wilson 2004 Petite Sirah Dry Creek Valley Ellie’s Vineyard ($35). Concentrated blackberry is laced with toasty vanilla, tobacco leaf, bittersweet chocolate and a touch of warm spices. Folds together to a smooth finish. Ready to drink now and over the next two or three years. (Weekend Wine 03/08)
