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CHEESE PAIRING:
Goat Cheese
Chimay
Farmers
Botana
Parm Dolce | |
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Despite it's name, this varietal is not a baby Syrah, nor related in any way. It produces an even darker wine than Syrah with a more rustic and highly tannic quality. Almost exclusively grown in California, this is a big grape with a small following. Mostly used for blending with Zinfandels, it's only in the past ten years or so that some winemakers have bottled it on its' own. If you're looking for bold, meaty flavors than this is the grape for you. When made with care there's a core of fruit and elegance that can appear despite the varietals inherently rustic nature. If you want to see what this grape is all about, then check out Bogle's version which is only $12 and readily available. Because of limited plantings most other bottlings are $25+ and hard to find. Once you've had a few, their boldness is hard to shake and your pocketbook will suffer for your pleasure.
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WHAT TO EXPECT: A dark purple, almost black, full-bodied wine with big tannins, earth, smoke, meat and black fruit (blackberry, blueberry) flavors. There's nothing elegant about these wines. They are as robust as it gets. Because of the high tannins, these wines should definitely be decanted and allowed to breathe before drinking.
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 | 2007 Vines on the Marycrest Petite Sirah, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2006 Cass Vineyards Petite Sirah, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2005 Hidden Cellars Petite Sirah, Mendocino, CA | RATING: * |
| 2005 Le Vigne di San Domenico Petite Sirah, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2005 Nadeau Family Vintners Petite Sirah, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2005 Renwood Winery Petite Sirah, Lodi, CA | RATING: * |
| 2004 Chameleon Cellars Petite Sirah, Napa Valley, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2004 Peachy Canyon Vineyards Petite Sirah, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: ** |
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**** Outstanding | *** Delicious | ** Enjoyable | * Drinkable
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