Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Petite Sirah with Beef from the Grill


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.com

Madrigal 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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