Black Zeppelin is a “big boy” wine. Lots of Petite Sirah black jammy fruit, tannins and oak create a complex structure. A bit less black pepper than others I enjoy but still a good spicy flavor. As of January 2011, The 2009 Black Zeppelin was still a very young wine and it needs some time to fully develop. Be sure to let it decant for up to a hour.
Big and bold, few varietals have the “True Grit” of Petite Sirah. The 2007 offering by Parducci is no exception. These Mendocino County grapes produce a rich deeply purple wine. Much like Rooster Cogburn, the big fruit, black pepper and tannins are not for the faint of heart. Let this gunfighter cool his heels in your decanter for at least 30 minutes before taking aim on your palate.
The year was 1969 and I was a mere slip of a boy, only twelve years old. I’d flown from my home in San Antonio, alone I might add, to visit my cool aunt and uncle in Dallas. My mother’s younger sister had a convertible and my uncle had long (by my father’s standards) hair. One highlight of the trip was loading up, dropping the convertible top and heading to the theater to see John Wayne in True Grit. I sat on the edge of my seat waiting for the gun fight scene and was not disappointed. I remember leaving the movie wanting to grow up to have “True Grit” like John Wayne and madly infatuated with the Kim Darby who played the smart and determined revenge-minded Mattie Ross. Continue reading »
An excellent example of Petite Sirah. Inky black with blackberry, dark spices, dark fruit and the black pepper I enjoy so much in Petite Sirah. We paired the C. G. Di Arie Petite Sirah with a spicy green chili, the wine held up beautifully.
This is what Petite Sirah is all about. Fleshy, smokey, meaty and peppery and manly wine. Pairs wonderfully with smoked meats. RP gave this wine a well deserved 95… I agree!
