Here's one of those wines that you pull out of the wine cellar and scratch your head: One, I know Pedroncelli for Zinfandel, as I have one or two in my cellar; and two, I had no idea I had a 10 year old Pedroncelli in my cellar, and a Petitie Sirah at that. Another thing that made me wonder about this wine before opening is that Petite Sirah is not a wine you really put much stock into ageing - it's a wine you use for blending but you don't see lots of wines where the grape stands alone. Interesting to note that Petite Sirah is also known as Durif in other parts of the world and grows mainly in Australia - that's something for your next backyard bbq when the conversation lulls or a Petite Sirah wine appears. I was pretty impressed with this wine right from the get go - the aromas were peppery and spicy with tons of black pepper on the nose. Palate didn't show a tone of fruit, in fact it was mostly things like cinnamon, cedar-spice, and hints of cocoa that all made appearances before the dried cassis made it's way onto the palate. For wine buffs this is an interesting wine to serve with dinner and watch it come into its own in the glass ... otherwise I don't think it would cut the muster in today's "lots of fruit" style wines.
Showing posts with label Petite Sirah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Petite Sirah. Show all posts
Monday, April 22, 2013
Thursday, September 27, 2012
L.A. Cetto 2005 Petite Sirah (Mexico)
After my nasty experience with a second bottle of Testa Cabernet Franc and the plastic cork fiasco, I moved on this this bottle of Petite Sirah from Baja California - Mexico. It was really delicious and aged just right. Blackberry and spice on the nose came around to also play on the palate along with peppery notes and a hint of cedar. It was also impressive to see this under $10 bottle of wine was sealed with an actual cork, I'm just saying.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
LA Cetto 2005 Petite Sirah (Mexico)
Mexico is known more for its Cerveza (por favor) then their wine, but they do make some wines and some good ones at that. This is pretty much the only Mexican wine we see in Ontario and its been a staple for the last few years (if not more). And the price is pretty reasonable ... once under $10, now just over. I thought I'd age one to see if the value continues, and I am glad to report that yes for under $10 you can get a wine to sit in the cellar for a few years without having it turn to vinegar. This one still had lots of fruit with blackberry, cassis, and plum with some spice holding it together ... the aromas came off as sweet so it was nice to have the spice there. On the palate there was lots of that good fruit coming through and loads of black pepper and spice. Perfect pairing on taco night - which is just what we did.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
L.A. Cetto 2004 Petite Sirah (Mexico)
L.A. Cetto wines are always fun to bring to a BBQ and the reason is simple: people inevitably pick up the bottle (after they have tried it) and they take a second and sometimes a third look at the bottle, "I didn't know Mexico made wine". They do and it's usually pretty good, especially the ones from Cetto. I have tried their Zinfandel from them along with Nebbiolo and this Petite Sirah; and I find they offer great value. This one is 6 years old and still delivered a lot of pleasure and enjoyment: the nose smelled of black fruit and white pepper while the palate was plummy and peppery, quite a tasty treat for BBQ season.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Bogle Vineyards 2006 Petite Sirah (California)
So last night I decided to grab the first thing I cast my eyes upon as soon as I walked from my office to my wine cellar, and lo and behold the winner was this gem from Bogle. I had picked this bottle up during my last venture into the States; I know this cause it still had the $8.89 orange sticker on it (meaning it was on sale). The nose had a rich black fruit smell to it, with a touch of peppery-goodness and some floral notes. The palate was lovely, peppery, raspberry and chocolate. At first I could swear I tasted the alcohol (13.5%) which led me to believe the wine was slightly out of balance, but over the next 20-minutes that flavour discipated and was replaced by a butterscotch taste right at the very end. This wine proved to be smooth and plush in the mouth with very little in the way of harsh tannins (they were there but to a milder degree). Very enjoyable - didn't go with the cod I was having but I enjoyed both emmensely, separately.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
LA Cetto 2005 Petite Sirah (Mexico)
Some nights you open a bottle of wine that you are so sure you want, and when you take that first sip you realize, "this is not what I was looking for at all". - such was the case with this Mexican Petite Sirah ... sure it had all the pre-requisites I thought it would and should have: nice red fruit, peppery and a touch spicy on the tongue, the tannins had subsided and the palate was smooth and enjoyable ... but not to me. I had a glass, put the cork back on the bottle and stored it away on my counter for a rainy day that I would hope to come in the next 2-3 days, but then again maybe it won't rain and the bottle will go to, shock of all shocks, to waste. Too bad, under better cirrcumstances I would have enjoyed this one but as is often the case mood dictates the enjoyment of the wine you chose and my mood just wasn't there for a Petite Sirah - too quick with the corkscrew and not with the brain.
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