Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/23459
VARIETALS outstanding recent releases Concannon Vineyard 2008 Petite Sirah, Selected Vineyards, Central Coast ($10) Looking like nothing more than a purple Jolly Rancher candy, this juicy offering brings blackberries, root beer and vanilla to a lithe, easygoing frame. Don Sebastiani & Sons 2009 Petite Sirah, The Crusher Grower’s Selection, Clarksburg ($13) A ruby rim belies the cherry candy and cough-drop essence on the nose. The palate brings more cherry, this time Bing, and a bit of bubblegum on the moderately acidic fi nish. Fleur de California 2007 Petite Sirah, California ($14) This is mostly blackberry and dirt, but in a good way. There’s also lots of dark chocolate and anise on the high, long fi nish. Pedroncelli 2007 Petite Sirah, Family Vineyards, Dry Creek Valley ($15) Tons of clove, cinder and blackberry meld into sweet raspberry on the moderately acidic, medium-length palate. Easy to drink and well-made. Seven Artisans 2007 Petite Sirah, Suisun Valley ($18) Colored a limpid ruby, this medium-weight Petite brings red cherry, blueberry, sassafras, root beer and malt powder to both nose and tongue. Satisfying without being heavy. Fortress 2008 Petite Sirah, Red Hills, Lake County ($20) Black raspberry and ripe apricot lead to cola, dark chocolate and round, red cherry on the palate. Highly intense with a long fi nish. Gustafson Family Vineyards 2006 Petite Sirah, Dry Creek Mountain Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley ($24) At the beginning this is all spicy cinnamon, but eventually dark chocolate and red cherry essence can be teased out of the background. Big tannins and medium acidity mean this is cellar-bound. Artezin 2007 Petite Sirah, Mendocino County ($25) Indian spice and cola up front, followed by roasted almonds, marzipan and clove. Terrifi c with holiday foods. Clayhouse Estate 2007 Petite Sirah, Show Pony, Red Cedar Vineyard, Paso Robles ($27) Red cherries and blackberry syrup dominate the nose, followed by dark chocolate and raspberry liqueur on the deep, dark, satisfying fi nish. R & B Cellars 2008 Petite Sirah, Napa Valley ($28) Ruby-purple in color, this brings cinnamon, peppermint and bloody red cherry to the party. Big tannins, high intensity, long fi nish. 68 / the tasting panel / january–february 201 1 Fieldstone 2006 Petite Sirah, Staten Family Reserve, Alexander Valley ($35) Dark chocolate and cherry beginnings obfuscate the delicacy and Old World feel of this wine. But tangerine peel, mocha and blackberry jam round it all out. Hess 2006 Petite Sirah, Allomi Vineyard, Napa Valley ($36) This is long and lush, with raspberry torte and chocolate cake aromas leading to marzipan and cocoa fl avors and textures. Quite an effort that’s powerful yet clean in the mouth. Robert Biale 2008 Petite Sirah, Royal Punishers, Napa Valley ($38) Loads of black cherry up front, followed by dark raspberry, cola, black walnuts and an earthy, mineral element on the long, lush fi nish. Not for the faint of heart. Stags’ Leap Winery 2007 Petite Syrah, Napa Valley ($40) One of the few blueberry-centered Petites I tasted, this also brings cocoa powder, red licorice, cassis and blackberry to a moderately powerful fi nish. Concannon Vineyard 2007 Petite Sirah Reserve, Central Coast ($40) Passion fruit and dark cherries lead to red raspberries and mocha on the palate. The high-intensity, long fi nish is all cocoa and grape jam. Stags’ Leap Winery 2007 Ne Cede Malis, Napa Valley ($65) Blackberry preserves on toast lead off this impressive proprietary offering. Black currant and a stealthy herbal quality round it all off nicely. Clayhouse Estate 2006 Petite Sirah Late Harvest, Paso Robles ($22/375 ml.) This unusual dessert wine is all about sweet blackberry jam and Linzer torte. There’s also dark chocolate and raspberry preserves on the smooth, sweet, port-style fi nish. Concannon Vineyard 2007 Conservancy Petite Sirah ($15) From the fi rst pour, this big guy is a tightly wrapped inky purple pack- age that takes its time to unfold. Blackberry and chocolate are woven with a meaty, powerful ridge of intense tannins. Towards the fi nish, a creamy oak rounds out the burliness and the rest is smooth sailing on a wave of cedar and maple. –Meridith May