Petite Sirah, in my opinion, never seems to get its due. This wine is a great example of Napa Valley Petite Sirah. A rich nose of blackberry pie with notes of smoke and leather. Jammy spicy flavors of cherry, blackberry and ripe plum along with hints of black pepper, smoke and minerality. The tannins are softer than many Petite Sirahs making it all the more approachable. Only 150 cases…Get it while you can. Buy This Wine
A blend of predominately Petite Sirah and Old Vine Zinfandel with a touch of Old Vine Mourvedre, this is a yummy go-to nicely priced big red. Plenty of rich and jammy red fruit flavors, cherry, blackberry, raspberry, tobacco leaf, leather, dark spice and black pepper, married with supple tannins. Think cold night by the fireplace…could be the perfect wine.
A bit leaner and softer than many chewy-spicy Petite Sirahs. That said, the flavors of ripe blackberries, black fruit, ripe plums with mocha overtones and a touch of spicebox are enticing. Balanced tannins add to the structure.
Robert Biale VineyardsParty Line Petite Sirah is a wonderfully bold wine that makes me wonder again why this varietal has not caught fire. Rich with black fruit, blackberries, toffee, and spice, integrated with soft tannins; this is a big enjoyable wine. Take it to your next BBQ and you’ll be the wine king. Also… try this wine with a rich New Orleans sausage gumbo.
Recently, we had the opportunity to sample a delicious Paso Robles Cabernet (Red Zeppelin) and powerful Monterey Petite Sirah (Black Zeppelin) from Red Zeppelin Winery. We also were able to chat with owner, winemaker and self professed “party animal” Stillman Brown.
Red Zeppelin Wi
nery (yes, the name is a play on the classic rock band) on the Central Coast was started in 2003 as an offshoot of Jory Winery which Stillman co-founded nearly ten years earlier. Stillman, a reformed political science major at Cal, has no formal viticulture education. However, early into our conversation it was apparent his wine making knowledge is vast and leans towards the scientific. That said, Stillman is a very funny, eclectic and sometimes absurd force of personality. His trademark salutation “Elvis died for your sins,” is a line only a man who goes by the nickname Swilly Idle (he somewhat resembles Billy Idol) could pull off with a straight face. Continue reading »
