Petite Sirah with Churrasco Steak
To begin this column, let’s clarify that Syrah
and Petite Sirah are closely related varietals.
Long a source of confusion, Petite Sirah was originally identified as
the French variety Durif. It was not
until 1996, however, that Dr. Carole Meredith at UC Davis – using advanced DNA
techniques – showed that Durif was a genetic cross between Syrah and the minor
French variety Peloursin. That
established, one can see that the two varieties might share similar characteristics
in aroma and flavor, and indeed do on many occasions.
These rich and fruity wines paired nicely with
spicy churrasco steak from the grill with chimichurri sauce on the side. A note: these rich, young wines are – for the
most part - reluctant to give up bold, forward aromas when first poured. Breathing time helps the wines open up.
For your fall wine touring information, look to
www.winesnw.com for maps, operating hours,
and a host of other useful information.
Three of Cups 2015 Petite Sirah Le Croyant, Red
Mountain - $32
This is the first of two wines in this week’s
reviews that comes from Red Mountain – specifically from Kiona Vineyards
properties farmed by Scott Williams and his family and crew. This Petite Sirah from Kiona Heart of the
Hill vineyard is a grand testament to winemakers Mike Metheny and Lisa Swei.
Rich and complex in an Old World style, aromas of plum, dark cherry, spice and
herbs lead to supple flavors of dark fruits, black pepper and vanilla. threeofcups.com
Stags’ Leap Winery 2015 Petite Sirah, Ne Cede
Malis, Estate - $125
This intense wine comes from a small block of
the Stags’ Leap estate vineyard that was planted in 1929. While mostly Petite
Sirah, other varietal vines are interplanted in the style known at the time as
“mixed blacks.” Some of these varieties are older Italian vines and all add to
the depth and complexity. Blackberry, blueberry and baking spices form the base
for this iconic selection. Add vanilla bean, earthy coconut and smoky caramel
to round out a memorable tasting experience. stagsleap.com
Hard Row to Hoe 2016 Petite Sirah, Kiona
Vineyard, Red Mountain - $40
Don and Judy Phelps founded their Lake Chelan
winery after careers in more staid disciplines and added to the excitement by
reviving the legend of a mining town brothel serviced by a rowboat taxi
enterprise. Many of the wines offer
tongue-in-cheek reference to bawdy matters through name and illustration. Judy’s serious Petite Sirah also came from
Kiona on Red Mountain and offers aromas and flavors of dark plum, dense
blackberry and chocolate with notes of black tea, toasty oak, vanilla and
caramel. Hardrow.com
Orin Swift 2017 Machete, Petite Sirah, California - $50
If British singer/composer Robert Palmer (Simply
Irresistible) had lived to see the second decade of the new millennium, he
might have been tempted to make a video of images and music named Machete. Instead winemaker David Swift Phinney crafted
Machete, a big, provocative Petite Sirah blend offering plum compote, ripe
blackberry, roasted Moroccan lamb, peanut caramel, dark cherry, marbled leather
and the “scent of a woman” posing next to a classic luxury car. orinswift.comMadrigal Family Winery 2016 Petite Sirah, Napa Valley - $35
The Madrigal family has grown wine grapes in
the Napa Valley since the 1930s. Third
generation family member Chris Madrigal is in charge now and works with
consulting winemaker Ed Sbragia to craft the special Madrigal Family bottlings.
My tasters loved this dark and spicy wine with earthy notes of tar and leather with
a core of sweet, dark plum and blackberry. madrigalfamilywinery.com
Stag’s Leap Winery 2016 Petite Sirah, Napa Valley - $47
The same year that Mr. Ferris was revealing his
wheel at Chicago’s World Columbian Exposition in 1893, workers were blasting
the wine caves and crafting the first vintage of Stags’s Leap in the Napa
Valley. Today you can enjoy Stag’s Leap Petite Sirah for it’s rich and spicy
berry, cherry and earthy mineral character.
Sbragia 2015 Petite Sirah, Teldeschi Vineyard,
Sonoma - $45
The famed Teldeschi Vineyard is in California’s
Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma County. The property dates back to 1929 with some of
the vines now 90 years old. From some of the old Petite Sirah vines Ed Sbragia
and his son Adam craft this special wine. Look for a cocoon of toasty oak
around a core of dried plum, caramel, smoked meat, violets and spice. Sbragia.com
Daven Lore 2015 Durif, Horse Heaven Hills - $32
My tasters were amazed and delighted with this
special Petite Sirah wine. DavenLore Durif offers the rustic-and-rough Petite
Sirah model with complex aromas and flavors of blackberry, plum, eucalyptus,
earthy mineral, tar and a toasty finish to pair with your finest meats. Davenlore.com
Animale 2015 Petite Sirah Reserve, Yakima Valley - $28
Winemaker Matt Gubitosa operates his small
Washington winery with the goal of crafting small quantities of intense,
full-flavored red wines made from grapes from family-farmed vineyards in the
Yakima, Columbia and Willamette Valleys.
His 2015 Petite Sirah Reserve was sourced from the Yakima Valley. The wine offers intense aromas of dark
berries, pepper and dark chocolate with floral notes. The palate shows flavors of blackberry, plum
and cocoa with food-friendly acidity.
Matt suggests enjoying Animale wines at Delancey Pizza, not far from the
winery’s Ballard, Washington production facility. Animalewine.com
Spellbound 2016 Petite Sirah, California - $15
The Spellbound name of this wine celebrates the
motto: “nurtured by the sun, balanced by the moon.” The wine comes from
winegrowing regions throughout California and offers good value for a fruity
wine with aromas and flavors of blackberry candy, cocoa, cigar box and leather. Spellboundwines.com
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