Concannon Central Coast Petite Sirah 2006

Limited Release, "America's 1st Petite Sirah", Established 1883 in the Livermore Valley, CA
concannonvineyard.com

The color of over-ripe Santa Rosa plum. That is to say black-backed-purple. Nice nose; vanilla and lavender and rose with of course a tad of red, ripe fruits. Rich and smooth with a sweet hint and tons of flavor. Nice tannins and some tart lip smacking acids. Plenty of inky goodness too. These mofos have got their Petite Sirah down. This wine has it all. Maybe, just maybe, a Petite Sirah 11.

Blue Fin Petite Sirah 2007

Cellared and Bottled by: Blue Fin Winery, Napa, CA 12.5%

Nice fruity and ink elements in the nose. Decent smooth flavors. Ripe fruits and supple mouth-feel. Somewhat tart and tannic to finish. Good example of the type (cheap, Petite Sirah), but a bit flat, not as deep as it should, could, would be. . .

Guenoc California Selection Petite Sirah 2007

Langtry Estate and Vineyard, Middletown, CA. 13.0%.

Earthy and mild nose has a little berry and maybe pencil lead. Tart and tannic with a bit of snap and crispness. Dark fruits and heavy hands make for a powerful customer. Could be a bit more subtle and supple for balance, but maybe that would come over time from some aging. Still makes for a fine, rich, representative of the type. Nice fruit on the finish.

Cameron Hughes Lot 70 Petite Sirah 2006

Cameron Hughes Wine Trading Company, Geyserville, CA. www.chwine.com. 13.5%.

Lush and rich nose with the characteristic dark fruits and inky elements found in Petite. Sweet stewed fruit bottom as well in the aroma. Rich, hearty wine with lots of flavor from from to finish. Nice bitter and tangy notes but plenty of lingering fruit. Intense and extracted wine, but filled with flavor and nice tannins to complete the fine finish. Lucky Lot 7 -Ohhh!

EOS Petite Sirah Paso Robles 2004

Brother Ranch Vineyard, EOS Estate Winery, 13.5%

Almost black, deep-purple color. Robust, deep nose with ink and dark ripe cherry and cassis with a little incense. Very much a petite sirah of what one looks for in the varietal made right. Inky and tannic with hidden tarty fruits (i.e. black currants), and a fresh minty finish of sorts. A very strong, extracted wine full of flavor, but balanced. And it lingers like a good kiss.

Congress Springs Petite Sirah Lodi 2005

13.3%, Congress Springs Vineyards, Napa, CA
Daniel Gehrs, winemaker

Mild inky and alcohol nose. A little fruit and floral aspect. Tart bitter and slightly tannic. Fruit comes late but lingers long. A bit flabby but has some of those intense petite sirah elements one would expect. Pretty color. Decent.

Parducci Petite Sirah Mendocino County 2006

Ukiah, CA 13.5%
www.parducci.com
Subtle nose, nice hint of perfumes and ink. Very little fruit. Tannic, tart and inky flavors. Light and bright for a petite sirah. Very tannic and chewy finish. Makes you smack your tongue. Good dry Italian style red with great color and character. Food friendly and drinkable and they have solar power and carbon neutrality.

Omega Cellars Petite Sirah 2007

LODI, 13.5%
Omega Cellars and Winery

Minor nose, not much but some fruit. Decent heavy Petite Sirah flavors. Some fruit, some ink, but not profound. Nice finish with the smoke and slight perfume of a Petite. Decent yet a little flat.

Harlow Ridge Petite Sirah 2005

LODI, 12.5%

Produced by Harlow Ridge Winery, Napa, CA
(Harlow Ridge is a Bronco Wine Company Brand, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronco_Wine_Company#Brands)

Mild nose. Nice smooth yet fruit filled flavor. Lingering smoke and berries.