The Good Wine Guru » Petite Sirah

Big House Red 2010

George — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:00:51 +0000

Varietal: Petite Sirah; Tempranillo; Syrah; Grenache; Malbec; Mourvedre; Nebeillo; Tannat; Souzao; Aglianico; Barbera; Zinfandel; Petite Verdot; Cabernet Franc; Charbano; Nero d’Avola; Sanviovese; Sagrantino
Region: California – USA
Cost: $10 (SRP)

Winemaker’s Notes: This Big House Red lives up to that old Fruit Bomb moniker that you’ve come to expect. It starts with a nose full of blackberries and raspberries, with hints of leather and spices. The palate is clean, exhibiting flavors of cranberries, roses, and a touch of rhubarb. This finish lingers, with flavors of vanilla and a touch of dark cherries in the finish. Pairs well with all grilled meats, lasagna Bolognese, grilled vegetables, or even sashimi grade Ahi tuna.

My Review: The previous version of this wine was one of those that I was torn on. I liked what they were trying to do by creating a table wine with a little bit of everything that could then go with a little bit of everything, but I felt that the attempt created a wine that just fell flat. This vintage was different.

Now, to preface, I’m not saying that the 2010 Big House Red is some revolutionary wine, but I did like it better than the previous years bottles I had tried. They’ve changed the mixture some and I think it’s for the best. On the nose I got mostly raspberry with a touch of spice and in the mouth I got dark cherry and some cranberry with a juiciness that made me feel like the Zinfandel as much as anything was coming through.

With a dinner of pizza after a trip the grocery store to stock up after the Thanksgiving holiday, a simple bottle of inexpensive red was a welcome sight and I continue to be a proponent of what Big House is doing – making nice affordable wines that might not set the world on fire, but are certainly welcome after a long day at work.

Robert Mondavi Private Selection Pinot Noir 2010

George — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Varietal: 90% Pinot Noir; 6% Petite Sirah; 3% Syrah; 1% Merlot
Region: California – USA
Cost: $11 (SRP)

Winemaker’s Notes: Reflecting the character of a cool vintage, which fostered the development of classic varietal aromas and flavors in our Pinot Noir grapes, this vivacious red wine’s hallmark is fresh, vibrant fruit. On the nose, lovely rose petal, violet, and red cherry aromas mingle with complementary scents of smoky vanilla and nutmeg. Very soft and round with good length and richness on the palate, the wine displays supple, silky berry and cherry jam flavors. Enjoy this delectable Pinot Noir with grilled salmon, herb-roasted chicken, baked ham, or lighter pork dishes.

My Review: So remember yesterday when I talked about the bottle of 2007 Biltmore Blanc de Blancs exploding all over my kitchen? Well, since my wife and I were making salmon to go with that, and since exploding wine meant I was really going to need a drink, we decided to open up this bottle of 2010 Robert Mondavi Pinot Noir that I had received as a sample.

A light to medium red in the glass, with hints of some rust coloring, I got aromas of cherry and spice on the nose which lead into a very smooth, almost juicy wine with flavors of berry and a touch of a cola finish that I’m finding more and more on Pinot, and that I’m finding myself enjoying quite a bit.

Paired with the salmon the wines richness was a nice compliment to the fatty fish, making the entire meal just a wonderful, rich experience. For the price this was a surprisingly robust Pinot Noir, and if you’re looking for a budget wine to put out with your Thanksgiving dinner, this is certainly a good choice.

On the off chance you can’t find this wine in your local store, you can follow this link and get some shipped directly to you.

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Big House “The Slammer” Syrah 2009

George — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 14:00:53 +0000

Varietal: 94% Syrah; 6% Petite Sirah
Region: Central Coast – California – USA
Cost: $10 (SRP)

Winemaker’s Notes: Flavors of blackberry and cassis make this wine pair well with pizza, burgers, and spicy kabobs.

My Review: More Syrah? Yep, that’s really happening. Another night without the wife being home meant another steak found its fate on my grill, which called for another bottle of big red wine. The Slammer Syrah from Big House had been looking at me funny for a few weeks, so I decided to give in and twist open its screwcap to see what all was going on in there.

A hint of purple was present in the glass, though not as much as previous Syrahs I had tried, and on the nose I got blackberry and notes of spice that I was expecting, though that didn’t make them any less enjoyable. Sipping on the wine brought forward nice juicy cassis notes and a meaty note on the finish that I’m finding I like more every time I find it.

Paired with my steak it was great, adding a touch of smoke to the grilled meat and the meaty finish going great with the actual meat. I would have liked to try this with some BBQ burgers as I think the tangyness of the sauce would be a great compliment to the wine as well.

Big House has once again offered up a wine that isn’t ground breaking, but also isn’t a disappointment. It’s a great value, and definitely one to look at for these last few days of using the grill before the weather permanently turns cold.

Concannon Conservancy Crimson & Clover 2009

George — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 14:00:55 +0000

Varietal: 50% Petite Sirah; 25% Cabernet Sauvignon; 15% Syrah; 10% Zinfandel
Region: Livermore Valley – California – USA
Cost: $15 (SRP)

Winemaker’s Notes: The 2009 Crimson & Clover Conservancy is a velvety blend of signature Livermore varietal. Aromas of currant, clove, and vanilla lead into bright fruit flavors of blackberry on the palate. The spicy finish is soft and long with hints of leather and tobacco. Pairs well with black pepper-crusted filet mignon with goat cheese or grilled artichoke with tarragon aioli.

My Review: Given as how during my upcoming trip to San Francisco (we leave tomorrow and this day can’t end quick enough) I plan to visit Concannon Vineyards, I wanted to try the 2009 Crimson & Clover before heading out to avoid any awkward silences in regards to the bottle of wine sitting lonely at my home back in Virginia.

With Labor Day weekend upon us my wife and I knew we would be grilling, so in between getting laundry done and bags packed for our vacation, we threw a couple of steaks and lobster tails on the grill. Well, rather, we tried to, but then the grill ran out of gas and so we had to finish them inside using the oven. It all still worked out, especially when paired with the wine.

In the glass the 2009 Crimson & Clover was dark, though not so dark as to not let light through. On the nose I got a bit of dark fruit and a hint of spice. In the mouth there was an explosion of berry flavor, with juicy blackberry jumping right to the front.

While I didn’t pick up a ton of spice on the finish, there were hints, and the finish definitely lingers on for a bit, something I enjoy in my red wines. Paired with the steaks and lobster it was a good, with the juicy fruit flavors complimenting the steaks that at least had a little grill flavor to them thanks to at least getting seared before the propane tank ran out.

I’ve yet to have a bad experience with the Concannon wines I’ve been sent, and part of what continues to attract me to them is that they are quality wines at a great price point. This is a good value wine to enjoy as we wrap up the summer and the grilling season, and is a nice tribute by John Concannon to his father Jim, the “Father of America’s First Petite Sirah”.

Murphy-Goode Liar’s Dice Zinfandel 2008

George — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 14:00:32 +0000

Varietal: 98% Zinfandel; 1.5% Carignane; .5% Petite Sirah
Region: California, USA
Cost: $18

Winemaker’s Notes: “In Liar’s Dice Zinfande, we’ve created our most passionate wine – one that’s so sweet and juicy, it’ll leave you wanting more. Our 2008 vintage is a combination of both Dry Creek and Alexander Valley fruit. The Dry Creek grapes contribute black raspberry and currants. The Alexander Valley fruit imparts rich flavors of black cherry and blackberry jam. Soft tannins perfectly balance the sweetness of the fruit.” Pairs well with grilled meats including ribs, burgers, pulled pork or any other type of BBQ.

My Review: Ever since Murphy-Goode had the opening for their “Dream Job” a few years back, I’ve been interested to try some of their wines, but just haven’t gotten around to it. This past Friday that all finally changed, as I was in the mood for a Zinfandel to go with a steak that I was throwing on the grill that night – I tend to cook a lot of steak when my wife goes out of town. I really shouldn’t have waited so long to grab this wine.

It was lighter in the glass than I was expecting, and in fact when I first poured it out and saw how light it was my first thought was that there was something wrong with the wine. Nothing could have been further from the truth. On both the nose and in the mouth I got loads of dark fruit and jammy is really the only word to describe the feel of the wine in my mouth.

The tannins were, as advertised, soft beyond anything I would have guessed. With my steak it was the perfect pairing, and one I plan to indulge in again (and soon). I regret that it’s taken me so long to finally try out some Murphy-Goode wines, but it’s definitely got me intrigued to try some of their others.

If you’ve never tried this wine, I recommend picking up a bottle, and if you can’t find it near you, just follow this link and you can have it shipped to you.

Big House Cardinal Zin 2009

George — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 15:00:23 +0000

Varietal: 80% Zinfandel; 10% Mourvedre; 8% Carignane; 2% Petite Sirah
Region: California – USA
Cost: $10 (SRP)

Winemaker’s Notes: This is a refined pleasure with intense flavors of blackberry mingling with soft creamy touches of oak, vanilla, and dry herbs. It’s full on the palate, but not heavy and the fruit is constant from the first sip to the end of the finish. Pairs well with grilled pork, pasta Bolognese, and barbecued ribs or chops.

My Review: It’s taken me a while to get around to sampling/reviewing this wine. It wasn’t because I didn’t want to, but rather because I knew what I wanted to pair with it and took my sweet time getting and then cooking up some ribs. This past Saturday I finally got around to it.

The wine was lighter in the glass than I was expecting, with more of a reddish hue than purple. On the nose I got aromas of berry, and in the mouth red fruit with a hint of tobacco. My wife claimed there was green pepper but I never got any of it.

The wine was lighter than I was expecting, which is not to say that it was a bad thing, only that I was more used to heavier Zinfandel, and the 2009 Big House Cardinal Zin is decidedly not heavy. Normally I would say how the wine paired with the food at this point, but given that the ribs I made were, quite frankly, not very good (the place I buy them from changed up the sauce and it wasn’t as good), it’s unfair to say whether or not the wine did anything for the food. That being said, I would have liked to have had some good ribs or even a juicy hamburger with this wine.

If you’re a die-hard Zinfandel purist this is probably not the wine for you. However, if you’re looking for a different red to serve during the remains of the grilling/cook-out season, this is a nice affordable option that’s different from your typical Zinfandel and is light enough to be enjoyed on a hot day.

If you can’t find the 2009 Big House Cardinal Zin at your local store, you can follow this link and have it sent directly to you.

Concannon Conservancy Petite Sirah 2008

George — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 16:00:09 +0000

Varietal: 100% Petite Sirah
Region: Livermore Valley – California – USA
Cost: $15 (SRP)

Winemaker’s Notes: 2008 Petite Sirah, Conservancy has fantastic depth and character. It exhibits a rich nose of fresh berry fruit, and the flavorful palate shows blackberries, chocolate, mocha, and plums. Subtle notes of molasses, cedarwood, and rip mulberries are complemented by soft, creamy oak tones and a smooth, silky finish. Pairs well with barbecued chicken or your favorite lamb recipe.

My Review: It’s been a little less than a year since I tried the 2007 Concannon Conservancy Petite Sirah, so I was pleased to see the 2008 vintage show up at my office recently, as there’s something to be said for seeing how a wine changes from year to year. Unlike the previous vintage, the 2008 Concannon Conservancy Petite Sirah is 100% Petite Sirah, with none of the Petit Verdot that made its way into last year’s vintage.

In the glass the wine was a dark, almost inky reddish-purple color. A fairly generic berry aroma was all I got on the nose, and I say generic to mean that no particular fruit jumped out at me. In the mouth I got berry, chocolate, and cedar. The finish was as silky as advertised, which would make this wine great for sipping on just by itself.

Paired with a dinner of grilled BBQ chicken and corn on the cob (wrapped in sprinkled with Old Bay, wrapped in foil, and thrown on the grill) it was the perfect compliment. The weather here in Richmond was perfect on Sunday so my wife and I enjoyed both our meal and the bottle out on the deck, thanks in no small part to daylight savings time keeping light back there around dinner.

Concannon is currently celebrating their 50th anniversary as America’s first Petite Sirah, so now is a great time to try out their wines, particularly the Petite Sirah. If you can’t find the 2008 Petite Sirah at your local store you can order it online by following this link. I definitely enjoyed this wine and I think you will too.

Cupcake Vineyards Red Velvet 2009

George — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 17:00:10 +0000

Varietal: 47% Zinfandel; 29% Merlot; 19% Cabernet Sauvignon; 5% Petite Sirah
Region: California – USA
Cost: $14 (SRP)

Winemaker’s Notes: Reddish purple in color with aromas of chocolate, deep rich blackberries, and red fruits that carry through to the palate to a creamy mocha finish reminiscent of a blackberry chocolate cupcake with mocha coulis. Pairs well with sweet and spicy Hoisin steak, BBQ bacon cheeseburger, or dark chocolate fondue.

My Review: I’ve had Cupcake Vineyards wines before, so when this sample showed up, I was excited to give it a try as it looks to be their first offering of a blended red. On a night when I was home alone cooking for myself, I decided to open it up and give it a try with a dinner of meatballs and rice with gravy. Nothing too fancy, but nice and hearty against the end of winter weather outside.

The wine was a darkish red in the glass with hints of violet streaking through that were really only visible when I swirled the wine. On the nose I got blackberries and red fruit, but didn’t really pick up the chocolate that the tasting notes claimed would be there. In the mouth the fruit and berry continued on with a hint of what I can only call cola (no brand names here) and a bit of tartness on the finish that I actually enjoyed.

Paired with my simple dinner of rice and meatballs it was a pretty good compliment, though with the cola and berry flavors I would love to pair this with with a BBQ bacon cheeseburger – the mixture of sweet and tangy would be great from both the wine and the food.

Cupcake is doing a great job of putting out wines that maybe aren’t setting the world on fire, but are certainly good solid wines that can be relied on. If you’ve never tried any of their wines before I would recommend grabbing a bottle, and if you’ve tried their whites and enjoyed them, I can’t think of any reason why you wouldn’t want to give the 2009 Red Velvet a try. If you can’t find it near you, you can follow this link and have it shipped to you.

Blackstone Sonoma Reserve Rubric 2007

George — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 16:00:33 +0000

Varietal: Blended Red Wine (55% Cabernet Sauvignon; 14% Malbec; 8% Cabernet Franc; 8% Petit Verdot; 7% Tannat; 5% Merlot; 3% Petite Sirah)
Region: California – USA
Cost: $22 (SRP)

Deep red color with aromas of cherry, anise, dried herbs, and tobacco. Flavors of blackberry, caramel, and subtle notes of coffee with a lingering finish and firm tannins. Pairs well with lamb steaks, beef carpaccio, cheddar cheese potatoes gratin.

Recommendations: When I got this wine, I was instantly interested in it thanks to the blend. I’m a fan of most of the grapes in this wine as a single varietal, so I was hopeful that they would blend together well. As the tasting notes for this wine recommended pairing it with lamb, it took me a few weeks to finally open this, as I had never cooked lamb before and was slowly but surely psyching myself up to do just that. This weekend I did just that.

The wine was a beautiful deep red in the glass, and I got aromas of cherry and a hint of tobacco on the nose. Flavors of blackberry were most prevalent to me, but what really impressed me was the smoothness of the wine. At least in my opinion I cooked the lamb just right (we learned that my wife is not a fan of lamb this weekend), and the flavor of the wine was a nice compliment to both the flavor and the texture of the lamb. I know that sounds weird, but the blend of the wine lent itself to a nice smooth wine that was bold and subtle all at once. It’s confusing, but it is what it is.

As with all wines, the true test for me is whether it’s enjoyable after the food is gone, and I did like this wine after I had finished my lamb steak (and admittedly a portion of my wife’s). The nice bold flavor of the Cabernet Sauvignon was tempered by the Petit Verdot (which is quickly becoming my favorite blending grape), Petite Sirah, and Merlot.

I know that around the holidays a lot of people will eat lamb, and if you’re one of those people this is certainly a wine worth checking out to pair with your holiday meals. If you can’t find the Blackstone Sonoma Reserve Rubric at your local store and want to give it a try, you can click here and get it.

Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

George — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 16:00:33 +0000

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon (81.7% Cabernet Sauvignon; 7% Merlot; 6% Petite Sirah; 2.8% Malbec; 2.5% Petit Verdot)
Region: California – Sonoma – USA
Cost: $15

Garnet in color with aromas of black cherry, black olive, mocha and vanilla. Medium bodied showing flavors of mocha, raspberry, mint, plum, and tobacco. Pairs well with grilled meats.

Recommendations: So on Friday night my wife went out with some of her friends which meant I stopped at the store on my way home for a steak and bottle of wine. Sometimes a guy has to treat himself. My steak on the grill (after a comedy of errors involving having to run BACK out to the store to get my propane tank refilled), I opened up the wine to try a small sip. It really made me want my steak to cook faster.

While I didn’t really get the olive aromas that Sebastiani claimed (I’m not really a fan of olives, so maybe I just blocked them out), I did get the black cherry both on the nose and a bit on the palate. Flavors of mocha and tobacco were a great pairing for my steak once it came off the grill, and the tannins on the finish weren’t terribly big and bold, but they were enough to balance the grilled meat, and that’s really what I was looking for.

I’ve visited Sebastiani Vineyards on a trip last year to San Francisco, and if you’re ever in the area I do recommend a stop in as they have a beautiful tasting room, and while I’ll admit that when I was picking up this bottle I didn’t recall their Cabernet from my trip out there, I was glad I grabbed this bottle and will keep it in mind for future steak dinners all by myself.

If you’re looking for the 2006 Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon and can’t find it, you can follow this link to some online retailers that can help you.