Category Archives: Petite Sirah

Foppiano Rose 2009

Foppiano, Russian River Valley, Estate Bottled, Rose 2009 The nose features flowers, candied red fruits and a bit of bubble gum. In the mouth the fruit shows nicely, the acidity is mild and the palate is broad. It is reminiscent … Continue reading

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Little Vineyards Petite Sirah

Little Vineyards, Sonoma Valley, Petite Sirah 2007 The nose smells sweetly of oak and jammy black fruits. In the mouth you’ll find a significant expression of tannin as is often the case with Petite with lots of black fruit to … Continue reading

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JC Cellars Petite Syrah 2005

JC Cellars, Napa Valley, Frediani Vineyard, Petite Syrah 2005 The nose is spiritous yet in the mouth the fruit is liqueur-like. The expected tannic profile of Petite is there along with a sense of the alcohol. The cool thing is … Continue reading

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Harney Lane Petite Sirah 2006

Harney Lane, Lodi, Petite Sirah 2006 This is dense as you would expect yet the tannins are ripe, making it accessible in now – nice and a class favorite. Proprietors Kyle and Jorja Lerner, the 5th generation growing grapes in … Continue reading

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Wilson Petite Sirah 2005

Wilson Winery, Dry Creek Valley, Ellie’s Vineyard, Petite Sirah 2005 The nose is earthy and peppery while in the mouth the wine is chewy, possessing the structure you’re looking for with that prime rib. Proprietors Ken and Diane Wilson, GP&B … Continue reading

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Jessie’s Grove Petite 2005

We met with Greg Burns and his gracious mom this summer, during a visit to Lodi with our class from the SRJC. We tasted through the wines and learned about their long history of growing grapes in the region. Some … Continue reading

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Mazzocco Petite 2005

Mazzocco, Dry Creek Valley, Aguilera, Reserve, Petite Sirah 2005 We picked this as our BOC Petite in the recent Harvest Fair. The competition was strong with many a great Petite. The beauty of this Petite is that the structure we … Continue reading

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Earthquake Petite 2005

Earthquake, Lodi, Petite Sirah 2005 In the nose there’s a very ripe sense of berries in this wine, with chocolate thrown on top. In the mouth the tannins are present but tamed compared to what you might expect with Petite. … Continue reading

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Bogle Phantom 2006

Bogle Vineyards, California, Phantom 2006 Dark fruits and a bit of berry jam mark the nose with a hint of toffee. In the mouth, the fruits are surrounded by tannins that are ripe, with just a little grip to let … Continue reading

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Guenoc Serpentine Meadow Petite 2000

Guenoc, Guenoc Valley, Serpentine Meadow, Reserve, Petite Sirah 2000 In the nose there is black fruit and toffee, prunes and chocolate. In the mouth the tannins have simmered down while the acidity has remained taut, framing a cranberry-like fruit  – … Continue reading

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Bogle Petite 2007

Bogle Vineyards, California, Petite Sirah 2007 With notes back to 2001 this wine is still a favorite for showing a sense of tannin in an affordable package. The price has been steady as well.The fruit is sourced from Clarksburg and … Continue reading

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Rockpile Winery Reds

Rockpile Winery, Rockpile, Buck Pasture, Red Wine 2005 The nose is rather closed upon first opening this wine, with hints of Cassis and new oak. The mouth shows demonstrable acidity and lots of fresh oak to accent the black currants. … Continue reading

Posted in Bordeaux Style Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Petite Sirah, Rockpile, Sonoma County | Leave a comment

Rusina Petite Sirah 2007

Rusina, Alexander Valley, Petite Sirah 2007 The nose features a dusty character with a bit of spirit while the mouth is redolent with berries and the tannins are tamed making this quite accessible today. There is probably a little Zin … Continue reading

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Collier Falls Vineyards

Barry Collier has created a paradise for his grapes above the Dry Creek Valley. If you were a grape, you would want to be planted under his care. The hillside vineyards are steep and the views are incredible. The highest … Continue reading

Posted in California, Dry Creek Valley, Petite Sirah, Primitivo, Sonoma County, Zinfandel | 1 Comment

The structure of California

Bogle Vineyards, California, Petite Sirah 2006 With notes back to 2001 this wine has been a favorite for showing some tannin in an affordable package. The prices has been steady as well. In October ’08 this ’06 sported sweet smells … Continue reading

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Italian whites heading nw

Ceretto, Langhe, Arneis DOC, Blange’ 2007 This is quite fresh with lots of flowers, citrus fruit, moderate acidity and a light body. Blange is the name of Ceretto’s estate property, devoted to Arneis, spread over two villages. The wine’s production … Continue reading

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Little one in the woods

Rancho Sisquoc, Santa Barbara County, Sylvaner 2007 There’s a bit of flintiness in the nose. Sylvaner isn’t typically an aromatic daredevil so that’s OK. In the mouth there’s a very grapy flavor, almost like a native labrusca, very hard to … Continue reading

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Partners in wine

Zin and Petite often work together, one behind the scenes of the other who gets the billing on the label. Claudia Springs Redwood Valley John Ricetti Vineyard Zinfandel 2005 There’s jammy fruit and a little warmth from the alcohol. Winemaker … Continue reading

Posted in California, Dry Creek Valley, Mendocino County, Petite Sirah, Redwood Valley, Sonoma County, Zinfandel | Leave a comment

Red style part 2

Here we take another look at variations on the taste and feel of dry red wine. ZD Carneros Pinot Noir 2006 Lots of sweet cherries and palpable acidity make this a refreshing Pinot. This wine originates with Pinot grown in … Continue reading

Posted in Alexander Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Carneros, Napa Valley, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Sonoma County | Leave a comment

Red style

Like white wine, red wine comes in many shapes and sizes, from the silky, flowing ribbons to brawny, square-jawed brawlers. Here are 3 takes on red wine style. Lincourt Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir 2004 Easy drinking cherries in a … Continue reading

Posted in Alexander Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Lodi, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County, Sonoma County | Leave a comment

GSMPS

Spinifex Barossa Valley Esprit 2004 There is sweet black fruit and tar in the nose. The mouth shows a soft structure that is lush. The in-mouth flavors are very fruity in a candied way. This GSM blend is 36% Grenache, … Continue reading

Posted in Australia, Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Petite Sirah, Rhone Blend, South Australia | Leave a comment

A Visit to Lodi

This flight features 2 wines from an area that has distinguished itself for its long-established vineyards and good values. Gnarly Head Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel 2005 Jammy liquer-like fruit and sweet vanilla in the nose. The wine is light-bodied, sweet … Continue reading

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Sonoma County Harvest Fair Best of Class Syrah and Petite

Stark Russian River Valley Cuvee Julian Syrah 2004 This is Syrah that is not afraid to be tannic with lots of alcohol showing in the nose and the mouth. There’s 2% Viognier in the final blend and the fruit is … Continue reading

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Petite

McManis California Petite Sirah 2005 An approachable Petite with lots of berry fruit and a taming of the tannins. 13.5% P&B Ripon, winemakers Jeff Runquist and Mike Robustelli, $9.99 at BevMo www.mcmanisfamilyvineyards.com Victor Hugo Paso Robles Petite Sirah 2003 13.8% … Continue reading

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