Petite Sirah

News & Reviews

2018 News & Reviews

December 31, 2018

“Star/NVV Tasting Panel: Top-ranked Napa Valley Syrahs and Petite Sirahs”
Napa Valley Register: REGINA LACONTI

Following the discussion, the wine scores were revealed. Panelists selected the following first-place wines: Aratas Wine - 2016 100% Petite Sirah Napa Valley ($58) 14.7% abv Following the discussion, the wine scores were revealed. Panelists selected the following first-place wines: Aratas Wine - 2016 100% Petite Sirah Napa Valley ($58) 14.7% abv

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December 12, 2018

“10 stellar bottles for holiday gifting”
The Province: Anthony Gismondi

This year we searched for a unique selection of wines that would make suitable gifts ranging from under $50 to $500. Each has a strong personality and story to tell and without exception could easily be cellared for another decade. Simply choose a bottle from the price range you are looking for, wrap it up and you are done. Stags' Leap Petite Sirah 2015, Napa Valley, California, United States ($46.99): A handful of very old vines are the story behind this exquisite wine. Winemaker Christophe Paubert also uses a small varying mix of syrah, Grenache and mourvedre to add complexity and balance.

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December 01, 2018

“Judging wines by their labels is a risky business (and one that I invest in frequently, ”
Instagram: Kathleen Willcox

Judging wines by their labels is a risky business (and one that I invest in frequently, to my own peril). But this treasure is as rare, delicious and exotic as the golden rendering of Cleopatra, being transported from Egypt to Greece. Trial lawyer turned winemaker Theodora Lee (aka Theopatra, Queen of the Vineyards) has been producing stunning wines since she first harvested and bottled the five acres of Petite Sirah grapes she planted on sheep land in the Yorkville Highlands of California's Anderson Valley in 2003. Like other Petite Sirahs, Theopolis'pours purple-black, and harbors flavors of tobacco and black tea. But give her a chance to breathe and suddenly blueberries, dusky lavender, dark chocolate, currants and ripe figs unfold on waves of smooth golden sunshine.

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November 17, 2018

“Few things put me in the holiday spirit more than fine wine + friends (with a dash of shopping).”
Instagram: Kathleen Willcox

I sipped on this phenomenal #petitesirah with @fancynancyc3 as we watched @chistahylandhomes set up for her holiday mini market tonight. With notes of ripe blackberries, plump blueberries and dark plums, the bountiful juiciness is framed perfectly by structured tannins, which are detectable, but never overbearing. Dark chocolate on the finish. The 2016 from @bialevineyards warmed our souls, primed our palates and filled me with the kind of joy only truly magical vintages

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November 12, 2018

“Modern Cooperage is Barreling Along”
Wine Searcher: Kathleen Willcox

Stags' Leap's senior winemaker Christophe Paubert agrees that barrels play an important role in winemaking, but issues a note of caution about relying on them too heavily. "In order to let the fruit and terroir shine, the oak always needs to be in a supporting role," Paubert says. "We only work with coopers who are focused on enhancing the character of our wines, not overshadowing it with additional aromas or flavors."

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November 12, 2018

“Modern Cooperage is Barreling Along”
Wine Searcher: Kathleen Willcox

Industry pros share top grape-barrel picks: Pedroncelli: Sonoma County's Pedroncelli ages its Courage Zinfandel in American oak barrels for 16 months; its Red Blend gets 10 months in new and seasoned American oak (25 percent new), and its Petite Sirah gets stores in small American oak barrels (one-third new) for 15. Biale Vineyards: The Party Line North Coast Zinfandel is aged in 100 percent Burgundy oak barrels, 25 percent of which are new, for 11 months. The 2015 E.B.A. Petite Sirah is aged in Burgundian oak, 20 percent of which is new for 30 months. Theopolis Vineyards: The Yorkville Highlands Pinot Noir is aged in French oak for 11 months; the Petite Sirah spends 22 months aging in 25 percent new and 75 percent neutral French oak. Stags' Leap's senior winemaker Christophe Paubert agrees that barrels play an important role in winemaking, but issues a note of caution about relying on them too heavily. "In order to let the fruit and terroir shine, the oak always needs to be in a supporting role," Paubert says. "We only work with coopers who are focused on enhancing the character of our wines, not overshadowing it with additional aromas or flavors."

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October 18, 2018

“The Truth Behind Your Favorite Wines”
Wine Enthusiast Magazine: MIKE DESIMONE AND JEFF JENSSEN

Petite Sirah is a cross of Peloursin and Syrah that was created in an experimental vineyard operated by Dr. Francois Durif at the University of Montpellier in the 1860s. Durif took proper credit for the resulting vine and named it after himself. The largest plantings are now in the U.S., particularly California, where the name Petite Sirah took hold due to early confusion with the Syrah grape... It even has its own advocacy group in California, PS I Love You. NOTABLE PRODUCER MEMBERS: BOGLE, CONCANNON, STAGS' LEAP [WINERY]

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September 26, 2018

“Small Lot Vintners In The Sacramento Delta Write A New Chapter For Chenin Blanc”
CapRadio: Julia Mitric

WILSON VINEYARDS: David Ogilvie's family has farmed this region for nearly a century. He seems right at home hanging out at their barn, with a view of the Sacramento River levee on one side and vineyards on the other. At 38, Ogilvie is manager for Wilson Vineyards, the family business. He makes his living selling Clarksburg grape varietals that fetch good prices: petite sirah, chardonnay and pinot noir. Those go to wineries in Sonoma, Napa and Sacramento.

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July 26, 2018

“Dan Berger On Wine: Transforming Petite Sirah”
Napa Valley Register: Dan Berger

The growth of this grape has happened without fanfare. In 2002, when Jo Diaz founded the trade organization PS I Love You to support PS, "All I could find were 62 California wineries that were making Petite Sirah," she said. Last week, she said that a few months ago when she checked, "I found that 995 brands were making Petite Sirah as a varietal wine!" "PS I Love You" got started mainly as a result of Diaz's enthusiasm and a huge commitment from Louis M. Foppiano, head of the fourth generation to own the family winery in Healdsburg. The Foppiano family has been a huge supporter of Petite Sirah for more than 100 years, and under winemaker Nova Perrill the latest wines are spectacular.

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July 16, 2018

“Huzzah! You Can Now Ask Alexa What Wine to Pair with Your Dinner (Yes, Even if It's Hot Dogs)”
Pure Wow: ROBERTA FIORITO

Of course, if we had it our way, we'd all be somms capable of knowing the difference between Syrah and Petite Sirah and which pairs better with our dinner of spaghetti and meatballs.

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June 28, 2018

“John Legend Says Chrissy Teigen Is 'Not Terrible' to Travel With”
Travel + Leisure: STACEY LEASCA

Travel + Leisure: Let's talk first about the wine. John Legend: "So our first wine was a cabernet in 2013, and second one was a 2014 chardonnay and then we did a red blend. It's a Petite Sirah. And then, finally, this rose is our fourth one."

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June 14, 2018

“The Zen of barbecue: Michael David's Petite Sirahs and two ways of baby back ribs”
www.lodiwine.com/blog: Randy Caparoso

Of course, like variations of barbecue, there are variations of barbecue-friendly wines. Michael David Winery-the largest of Lodi's home-grown, family owned wineries (now nearing a million-case yearly production), produces two styles of Petite Sirah: the red wine varietal that is perhaps the essence of barbecued food-friendliness because of its natural penchant for fruity qualities generous in blueberry/blackberry flavors, often spiked with peppercorn qualities derived from higher-than -average (compared to any other wine) spice components scientists have recently identified as rotundone (for more details, see our post, The smell of spice in autumn wines).

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June 12, 2018

“Gus Clemens: Dad won't whine about these wines”
Abilene News - Part of USA Today network: Gus Clemens

Stags' Leap The Investor Napa Valley Red Wine 2015: Excellent, tasty Bordeaux-style red blend with a California twist (petite sirah). $45-55

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June 08, 2018

“ Wine: Four grapes that will help you kick the cabernet sauvignon habit”
Montreal Gazette: Bill Zacharkiw

Petite sirah: If you love California cab, this is your grape. It actually predates cabernet sauvignon in the state as it was part of the original plantings by Italian immigrants in the 19th century. Especially in the warmest growing zones, the grape has the ability to maintain its natural acidity and tannin much better than cabernet, while delivering the same rich fruitiness and texture. Most quality zinfandels have petite sirah as part of the blend for this reason. Try Foppiano...or if you like sweeter reds, then the Petite Petit from Michael David.

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June 05, 2018

“Morton's the Steakhouse: A Classic High-End Steakhouse Experience”
The Daily Meal: Dan Myers, Editor

After taking our seats in a cozy booth in the dim, relatively featureless dining room of the Fifth Avenue location (the primary decor is illuminated black and white photos of Times Square and other New York landmarks), our amiable server took our drink orders and provided a thorough overview of the different steaks on offer as well as a rundown of the seasonal specials printed on a postcard tucked into the menus (this is a chain restaurant, after all). Our Negroni and gimlet were well-made, and the wine list is large and admirable; we found a reasonably priced Stags' Leap petite sirah.

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May 25, 2018

“The Best Wine Pairings For Your Favorite BBQ And Grilled Foods”
Forbes: Noma Nazish

California Petite Sirah: This bold Californian red wine pairs well with a wide range of delicacies like grilled steak, grilled hamburgers, BBQ ribs, grilled pork tenderloin and grilled or barbecued venison. Try 2014 Stag's Leap Petite Sirah.

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April 29, 2018

“Wine of the Week: Parducci True Grit Reserve Petite Sirah 2015”
Winona News: Chris and Sherry Hardie Brambleberry Winery

April 27, 2018

“A SPECIAL PLACE FOR PETITE SIRAH”
The Wine Country: Randy Kemner

2015 Robert Biale Vineyards Petite Sirah "Royal Punishers", Rutherford, Napa Valley ~ Robert Biale descended from two previous generations of Napa Valley grape growers, specializing in Zinfandel. It wasn't until 1991 that Robert Biale winery was established specializing in two varietals that have a unique relationship to California: Zin and Petite Sirah. Ever since, Biale's name is mentioned whenever the subject of elite producers of either varietal is mentioned. Sampling "Royal Punishers" with its glass-staining, rich, dark appearance and its toasty herbaceousness in the aroma, you just begin to realize Biale's position in the Petite Sirah firmament. Densely flavored, bold, fruity flavors of blackberries with a take-no-prisoners posture. The drying tannins are bold. This 14.8% powerhouse begs for pork shoulder, pot roast or a fatty charred steak.

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April 27, 2018

“Wine of the Week: Parducci True Grit Reserve Petite Sirah 2015 ”
Winona Daily News: Chris and Sherry Hardie

Parducci Wine Cellars has produced wines from Mendocino County, Calif., for 85 years and has come out with a series of True Grit Reserve wines, claiming that iconic and great wines require passion, perseverance and grit. This is 100 percent petite sirah that is aged for 15 months in French and American oak and comes in at a hefty 14.5 percent alcohol. Buckle up for a big wine ride as there are plenty of berry and dark fruit flavors to please the palate. Sherry: "Beautiful dark, inky color with flavors of raspberry, black currant and black cherry with a floral finish".... Chris: 'A nose of blackberry with blackberry and raspberry flavors and a vanilla finish"...

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April 20, 2018

“A Wine by Any Other Name ”
Columbia Star: Erlinda Doherty

...Petite Sirah... is the Yankee alias for the Durif grape but is not a diminutive version of Syrah as the moniker might imply. Also a French native, this wine is anything but petit[e] as the resulting wines are inky dark, bold, and more tannic than Syrah. The name likely refers to the smaller sized, yet thicker-skinned, berries they have in comparison to Syrah. Never really gaining a foothold in France, California is the world's main producer of Petite Sirah. Try Mettler Family Vineyards from Lodi ($24.99, Bottles) for a solid expression of this lesser-known grape.

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April 09, 2018

“International Women in Wine Celebration April 28th ”
MIAMI'S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS: Miami Beach Chamber

Theodora Lee is owner of Theopolis Vineyards in Yorkville Highlands, CA. Ms. Lee is also a senior partner and trial lawyer at Littler Mendelson, P.C. Her passion for wine began in 1987 primarily due to the influence of her law firm mentors who owned vineyards. After completing courses in viticulture, Ms. Lee purchased sheep land in the Yorkville Highlands of Anderson Valley, and began developing her vineyard. Established in 2003, Theodora's first harvest of her estate grown Petite Sirah received stellar ratings of 94-96 points by wine Critic Robert.

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March 28, 2018

“At the 2018 Petite Masters Panel - Going to a World Wrestling match, ending up at a Bolshoi Ballet ”
Randy Caparoso ~ California Wine & Food Adventures: Randy Caparoso

March 23, 2018 At the 2018 Petite Masters Panel - Going to a World Wrestling match, ending up at a Bolshoi Ballet Classic broad shouldered, cylindrical cluster morphology of Petite Sirah California grown Petite Sirah (a.k.a. Durif) has never been counted among the world's 'great' red wines; despite an evidently fanatical fan base, driving steadily growing production (there are now over 1,000 brands of California Petite Sirah, which is well over 10 times more than there were just 15 years ago). ~ Yet this also-ran image might change. I caught at least a glimmer of that at an event called Petite Masters Panel and Walk Around Tasting, put on by P.S. I Love You, that indefatigable 'Petite Sirah Advocacy Organization,' at Culinary Institute of America's Copia Classroom this past March 18, 2018.

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March 05, 2018

“Exciting News for Petite Sirah Fans”
Wine Business: PS I Love You

Come taste Petite Sirah wines from 27 noted wineries: Napa and other California regions are represented. CIA chefs are providing paired foods to complement the wineries' rich, red wines. Tickets are $30.00 per person, and can be obtained via Copia at Eventbrite

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February 17, 2018

“Petite Port brings big Flavor ”
The Emporia Gazette: Regina Murphy

California winery Bogle's Old River Vineyard is prized for its concentrated and rich Petite Sirah grapes. The vintners wanted to produce a ruby-style Port so the fruit was allowed to hang on the vine an additional month past the usual harvest. "The sugar in the grapes intensified," states the website. "...and when selectively hand picked on October 22, 2014 was at 29.2 degrees brix."

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February 15, 2018

“Petite Sirah: Delicious wines from an underrated grape”
Napa Valley Register: Bob Ecker

Big, bold and powerful American red wines come in many varieties. But for me, full-bodied, well-crafted Petite Sirahs are where many palates have been heading the past 20 years. Substantial, dark and eminently drinkable, these wines should be tried and experienced. MEMBER WINES INCLUDED: Concannon Vineyard, Stags' Leap Winery, Robert Biale Vineyards, Tenbrink Vineyards, Stanton Vineyards, Theopolis Vineyards, Trentadue Vineyards, Miro Cellars

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February 14, 2018

“When Carl Doumani Calls ~ A Petite Master Has Answers”
Wine-Blog, Juicy Tales: Jo Diaz

PS I Love You champions Dave Pramuk (Robert Biale Vineyards) and Stephanie Douglas (Aratas Wines) have been quietly working with the CIA behind the scenes to bring consumers an outstanding Petite event. We once had a "Masters of Petite Sirah" night at Markham. This new one is not to be confused with the one we had, because we won't be purposefully tasting aged Petite Sirahs, per se. This one is going to be for current vintages.

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January 31, 2018

“An introduction”
Marshall Independent: Ron Skjong

Concannon's Petite Sirah has a luscious mouth feel. Upon taking a sip, the richness of the grape explodes in your mouth. There's a wonderful blueberry taste that is buttressed by some mild spiciness, but the finish is the most interesting. Rather than having a dry spicy finish, this wine's finish is long lasting and soft. If you haven't tried a petite sirah, this is the perfect one with which to begin.

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January 30, 2018

“From the Vine: Pruning is a critical step in the vineyard”
RecordNet.com: Bob Highfill

Charlie and Max chased each other through rows of grape vines. Charlie would pause, lay on her belly and gnaw on canes strewn on the ground before Max prodded her to resume the chase. It's a dog's life in the vineyard. Charlie belongs to Kyle Lerner, owner of Harney Lane Winery & Vineyards, and Max never is too far from his owner Luis Reyes, general manager of Mettler & Son. On Saturday, they had some company, as more than a dozen Harney Lane wine club members walked into an 18-year-old, trellised Primitivo vineyard and learned about the critically important and labor-intensive pruning process.

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January 30, 2018

“A wine with romantic intentions ”
The Emporia Gazette: Regina Murphy

Bogle Vineyards has produced a line just for that effect. I think these would be particularly interesting for Valentine's Day. Not everyone wants pastel pinks and sparkles. The Phantom label and flavor are both seductive, and slightly dangerous. The line is a tribute to a presence the owners and winemakers have felt at Bogle. They have dubbed this presence "The Phantom," and feel it watches over their work, ensuring the legacy is maintained. It's a fun concept, more so for Halloween. However, what if you want to tell your Valentine your intentions to steal their heart, haunt their dreams, sweep them away into the moonlit vineyard and have your way with them?

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January 29, 2018

“Hurrah! Petite Masters is Happening in March 2018”
Wine-Blog, Juicy Tales: Jo Diaz

PS I Love You Champions Dave Pramuk (Robert Biale Vineyards) and Stephanie Douglas (Aratas Wines) have been quietly working behind the scenes to bring consumers an outstanding event. We once had a "Masters of Petite Sirah" event. This new one is not to be confused with the one we once had, because it won"t be tasting aged Petite Sirahs. This one is going to be for current vintages.

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January 23, 2018

“Good news from Wine Spectator on Bogle's Petite Sirah: "13 Hearty Rhone Reds from California"”
Wine Spectator: Tim Fish

BOGLE Petite Sirah California 2015... Dark and brooding, with dense blackberry and licorice flavors. Drink now through 2023. 151,000 cases made. by T.F.

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January 13, 2018

“Berryessa Gap Vineyards features international flare”
Winters Express: TJ Schluns

You can start your Highway 128 wine tasting adventure at the internationally acclaimed Berryessa Gap Vineyards. This family owned winery evolved from a grapevine rootstock nursery back in 1969 into the award-wining winery it is today with the teaming of entrepreneurs, famers, pioneers and immigrants. Berryessa Gap Winery was founded in 2002 by Dan Martinez of Winters, Davis winemaker Mike Anderson and Winters grower Santiago Moreno.

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January 01, 2018

“21 Wines to Watch”
The American Wine Society Wine Journal: Ellen Landis: CS, CSW

Parducci Wine Cellars | 2014 True Grit Petite Sirah | Mendocino, California ~ Hold your horses, here comes a mind-blowing Petite Sirah to savor. Deeply fruited with aromas of warm blackberry pie, for starters. On the palate, concentrated blackberry, spicy plum preserves, a twist of black peppercorns, licorice, and earthy notes meld deliciously. Rich and jammy with firm tannins and a long finish. Seek out the 2015 True Grit Reserve if the 2014 is sold out. Food pairing: Gorgonzola beef filet | www.parducci.com

January 01, 2018

“21 Wines to Watch”
The American Wine Society Wine Journal - Winter 2017 into 2018: Ellen Landis: CS, CSW

Tenbrink Family Vineyards | 2015 Petite Sirah | Suisun Valley, California ~ Here is a blockbuster Petite Sirah that keeps its power well managed. Dark fruit and spice aromas are mirrored on the palate as luscious flavors of dense black cherry, vanilla bean, boysenberry, and savory notes unfold. Opulent and velvety with a solid backbone of firm tannins. I see this gem aging marvelously, while the impressive balance also makes it easy to quaff now. Food pairing: Smoked baby back ribs ww.tenbrinkvineyards.com

Petite Sirah

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