Petite Sirah

What a great showing for this wine.  Consumed over two nights, this was better on the second night.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with boysenberries, charred gravel, spices and slight black licorice.  Full bodied.  Wonderful texture.  This has a nice depth and complexity which did not show until the second day.  Firm tannins.  Nice black raspberry fruit with underlying char.  Nice finish.  Delicious.  These need more time, but if opening soon, give it a long decant.  Probably best to wait five to seven years and it will be god for ten to fifteen more after that.  I

This is a blend of 89% Syrah and 11% Petit Sirah.  It takes time for the Petite to emerge and today, the Syrah is really the show.  And a great show it is.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, char, violets, slight roasted meats and herbs.  Full bodied with a lush texture.  On the palate, juicy black raspberries with slight blueberries, and some underlying char and earthiness.  Medium tannins.  Long finish.  This drinks great on its own and went well with a chocolate cake but would work well with Indian food or roasts as well.  

My first time trying this wine.  Very nice.  A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Petite Sirah and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, char and spice.  On the palate, the black cherries dominate.  There is some green bell pepper (in a good way) that is very traditional.  Some underlying roasted meats.  This already has a tight complexity that unwinds in the glass.  Nice finish.  This probably needs another five to seven to peak and should be good for ten to twelve more after that.  it is food friendly and wi

This was the year the fires hit California.  It is important to be careful due to that but there were no notes of fire tain here.  It is a well priced blend that is 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petite Sirah, 7% Malbec, 5% Merlot, and 1% Syrah.  The wine is ruby at the rim of the glass with core of purple.  Mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, cassis, char, and slight camphor.  With air, slight cedar emerges.  On the palate, this is soft and accessible.  A hint of sweetness.  Slightly drying tannins.  A moderate finish.  This is a very nice wine for immediate drinking.  It works w

This is a blend of 84% Petite Sirah, 13% Syrah and 3% Viognier from the home winery of star winemaker Helen Keplinger.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has boysenberries, graphite, asphalt and some cherries.  With air some roasted meats come out.  A wonderful lush texture.  Firm tannins.  This has lots of depth but is still young and tight.  It is delicious though.  Black raspberries, with underlying char on the palate.

Wow, did this bottle exceed expectations (and they were pretty high).  It really grabs one's attention.  Though still on the young side, it is drinking great.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is big with black raspberries, roasted meats, slight clove, plums and just a bit of graphite.  Full bodied.  Rich texture.  Deep and complex.  Juicy acidity.  Lots of black raspberry fruit with underlying roasted meats and herbs.  Long finish.  This seems like it is closing in on peak.  Not sure if it gets better but should easily do another ten years at this level.  Whether to open or ho

The cork crumbled on opening and the wine was decanted.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has boysenberries, char, slight ink scent and a bit of blueberries.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, the blueberries are more pronounced and plenty of boysenberries with underlying char.  Still has youthful energy.  Good finish.  This is drinking well now but still young.  No harm opening or letting it age another ten to fifteen years.  It probably won't get much better.  It will work well with pizza, burger but also roasts and grilled foods.  

This is the second release of the Orin Swift project now that Dave Phinney's non-compete with Prisoner Wine Company is over.  It was nice to get a chance to try this.  This is a very solid wine.  Purple in color.

Gorgeous wine in a great place right now.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, slight roasted herbs and hints of cherry cola.  Full bodied.  Silky but full texture.  Lots of black raspberry and black cherry fruit over gravel, char and scorched earth.  Nice acidity.  Complex, deep; the layers unwind in the glass.  Still some tannins left.  Long finish.  Just abot at peak but should have a decade to go at this level.  Works great on its own and will work with roasts and grilled food.  

Petite Syrah or Petite Sirah?  Same grape and one that can really age well.  At age 26, this is drinking quite well.  Purple in color.  The nose has boysenberries, spice and dust.  With air, a bit of gravel.  On the palate, this is full bodied.   Boysenberry fruit, dried fruit and slight dry earth.  Slight depth and complexity.  Tannins all resolved.  Good acidity.  Moderate finish.  This probably is a bit past prime but certainly should continue to provide good drinking for five to ten more years as it slides downhill.  It really needs food.  Burgers or steaks would be great.