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WINE
PICKS : PETITE SIRAH
By Thom Elkjer
wine editor
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BOGLE PETITE SIRAH
California 2003 ($9): one of California’s
most consistent, high-value wines from any grape comes through again
with abundant blackberries and blueberries balanced with toasted oak
and ripe tannins.
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CONCANNON PETITE SIRAH
Central Coast 2003 ($12): the aromas are so deep
they verge on black olives, but the wine’s actually well balanced,
with spicy sweetness in the dark fruit flavors and toasted tannins that
suggest age-worthiness. |
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FOPPIANO PETITE SIRAH
Russian River Valley Bacigalupi Vineyard 2002
($17): this very well behaved wine shows Petite in a traditional light,
with plush dark fruit and bright acidity, enough oak to keep things spicy,
and a smooth finish.
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LOLONIS PETITE SIRAH
Redwood Valley “Orpheus” 2002 ($35):
creamy black fruit aromas give way to more incisive, juicy, and coffee-laced
flavors plus tooth-coating tannins in the mid-palate; best to age a few
years or decant for current drinking.
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MCMANIS PETITE SIRAH
California 2003 ($10): Opulent, fruity
aromas become even richer, chocolatey flavors of black plums and cherries
in your mouth, and the wine remains juicy and sweet even as it picks
up structure toward the finish. Excellent value.
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ROSENBLUM PETITE SIRAH
San Francisco Bay “Heritage Clones” 2003
($19): Earthy blackberry and raspberry aromas continue into the flavors,
where coffee and toasted oak sweep the wine toward a long sweet finish.
Well made wine. |
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TRENTADUE PETITE SIRAH
Alexander Valley 2002 ($28): tastes more like
an earthy, meaty Syrah than Petite Sirah (it’s 25% Syrah), but
the monolith of ripe, cushy tannins and mellow mid-palate prove it’s
Petite.
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VINA ROBLES PETITE SIRAH
Paso Robles “Jardine” 2002 ($26):
aromatically rich and fruity, with citrus accents sparkling out of blackberries
and plums; in your mouth it adds a bit of earth to soften the tannins
and the warm finish.
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Visitor
Favorites:
In Mendocino
Land of stunning coastlines, artisanal wines,
and quaint small towns, Mendocino is also home to a refreshingly cosmopolitan
line-up of music festivals every summer. Featuring local favorites as
well as national stars (the Mendocino Music Festival is hosting the world-class
Kronos Quartet this year), Mendocino's rich musical tradition adds a big-city
spin to this favorite weekend getaway.
Find Out More >>
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