Wine Library TV

Search

EP 808 Petite Sirah Tasting

Gary focuses on an interesting grape called Petite Sirah and tastes 3 from Napa Valley.

Wines tasted in this episode:

2006 Elyse Petite Sirah RutherfordNapa Petite Sirah
2005 Corte Riva Petite SirahNapa Petite Sirah
2006 Robert Foley Pepperland Petite SirahNapa Petite Sirah


Latest Comment:

View More

luca bercelli

89/100

lines of the day – ‘Lady Gaga got screwed at the Grammys’ and ‘This is not what you want to serve at a house party if you love your carpet’

Tags: napa, Petite, red, review, Sirah, Video, wine, wines

Related Stories & Episodes >

Episodes >

←  Older Comments
Newer Comments  →
  • fanbrew

    QOTD 1: I have never had a Petite Sirah

    QOTD 2: Most recent thing I have been disappointed in after expecting big things. The latest Terminator film. Man that movie was awful.

  • Kris B

    I was a little dissapointed with a 2005 Continuum. It had 2 dimensions: Oak, and cherries. Both were delicious but at that price I expected more. As a former fan of Mondavi cabs I was hoping to see Continuum out perform the evil Contilation brand. Perhaps after a couple more years in the bottle….

  • are you kidding? http://spreadsheet.winelibrary.com/ the caretaker of scores!!!

  • same here

  • “changing the wine world, maybe…”

  • allanj

    Agreed! : )

  • Braden G

    I don’t disagree with your points but I was expecting him to take charge and do a bit more to look after the American people who need looking after. Easy to be critical from the outside though as I am a Canadian… and don’t even get me started on our leader Stephen Harper…

  • Gary and Vayniacs…my girlfriend is just starting to drink wine and I”m having a hard time finding a good beginner wine for her. She had a pinot grigio which she kind of liked but I”m trying to expand her palette and get her to like wine as much as I do!! Any advice?

  • ILKKA, I’m there, my friend! Well, I hope to get over there this year, at least. I love IPAs and a lot of the hopier beers. Dark, robust beers with hints of cinnamon, tumeric, cloves, etc are BIG over here, particularly during the winter holidays and I LOVE those. The Samuel Adams winter varieties are tops, and a lot of microbrews. What about you? What are the favorites over there?

    By the way, checked out your show on ViiniTV.com…great stuff! Didn’t understand a word, but loved the vibe!

  • WineWoman

    You should re-name this “The Gary Vay-ner-chuk Show”–it's like a variety show, opening monologue, Mott's your sidekick, guests sometimes, they plug their books, products, etc., you plug your brand, and the subject is “Wine” and the Jets. I hear there's an opening at NBC.

    QOTD 1: I like Petite Sirah which warrants the use of several tooth-whitening products. I think you were disappointed with the wines because you said so yourself—they're bombastic monstrous wines which don't leave much room for innumerable complexities. In this varietal there are several which are big, delicious wines for a lot less than double-nickels. Ex. Peachy Canyon. 20 bones?
    QOTD 2: A large percentage of my piano students are not as dedicated as they should be. 🙁

  • Thanks! Our website is upgrading this month, so hopefully things will approve. But we’re having lots of fun. In Finland the wine scene is quite uptight and we’re hoping to change that a bit.

    We have tons of different beer lables here. My all-time favourite is one called Karhu (that means bear in Finnish), it’s a quite basic beer but very good quality. Some other good ones are Sandels, Koff and Karjala. These are quite big. There are hundreds of small microbrews here, most of them pretty good, some great. There’s also this very traditional Finnish beer type called Sahti, it’s unfiltered and about 7-9%. Raw stuff I tell you, but quite tasty if you like that kind of thing and definitely unique.

  • RodneyStrong09

    QOTD: Tried a red blend (2004 Familia Schroeder Pinot Noir/Malbec) from Argentina that won a local wine tasting event. Priced a little high (40-50 bucks) so my expectations were also high. In the end I thought it was just okay, certainly nothing approaching the price point.

  • cdncartman

    good episode.

    we used to enjoy the Pirramima petit syrah a few years back, but have really stuck to mainly France lately so haven't bothered to try some different ps's lately. But it's still nice to have a few of these wines in the cellar in case you have some friends or family over that prefer the big, fat, juicy fruit bombs.

    my biggest dissapointment lately is the Catena Malbec. I remember buying the '02 and '04 by the case, and ever since 2005, it seems like it's gone down in value/quality. I hear they are making more and more of it, so that is probably the result. Take out the high quality grapes for the Alta and the new single vineyard wines and just buy more 'ok' grapes to pump out 50,000+ cases of the regular malbec. it's a shame, but that's how it goes.

  • jcha24

    I am in the same boat as you. My wife drinks a fair amount of wine, but sticks primarily to what she knows and likes – pinot grigio, sauv blanc/sancerre, rose. I request that she tries every wine I am having to expand her a bit. She now enjoys pinot noir, beaujolais, chenin blanc, etc, etc. and hates zin, PS, big cabs, and oaky chard…..all trial and error it seems. Worst case scenario, I have to drink the rest of her glass!

  • Chris & Liz

    Chris & Liz here stepping out of the shadows…
    QOTD 1. No we do not like the Petite Sirah…alittle to big, to bold for both of us…last bottle we tried was at the end of 2009 a 2004 Benziger. We will not come back to this varitel for a while.
    QOTD 2. Gewurizaminer – Barth Rene that Gary had recommended. a little to thick and not dry enough.

    Our personal top 5 “everyday” wines of 2009 (Thanks *Gary for leading us to these wines!)
    1. *2007 Shaw & Smith Chardonnay 2. *2004 Nicolas Potel Beaune 1er Cru 3. *2008 Eradus Sauvignon Blanc 4. *2006 Robert Lassar St. Veran 5. Tie 2004 Lan Reserva or 2006 Bernardus Chardonnay

  • haha exact same situation! And that worst case scenario isn't too bad ;)…by the way your bball isn't looking too shabby this season! good luck

  • Yesterday I was let down by a Rioja 2003 that was pricey and hard to get. Turned out just… not transcendental at all and one of my guest said it was even really plain. Sad that this just happened with the Petit Sirah as well.

  • jtdebolt

    Great episode, Gary. I am a wine newbie (L-O-V-E beer) but enjoy Petite Sirahs and Pinot Noirs. What I liked is that you said Bob Foley's wine doesn't get a high score simply because of the pedigree. Great point for any entrepreneur; just because you have “arrived” doesn't mean you have arrived. We always have to hustle. Great episode.

  • CharlieTN

    Love the avatar!

  • Ted Matelski

    I have never had a Petite Sirah because the name has always scared me a bit. I like big bold wines and the word petite makes it seem like it would be weak. Thanks to this episode I am going to have to go and buy a bottle. I am working hard to expand away from the pinos and cabs. I have even been drinking white wines lately, expanding my palette.

    On this journey of tasting new wines I think the most disappointing was an 07 Malbec. I plan on tasting another Malbec, but I was not a fan of this wine.

  • CharlieTN

    Only had one petite sirah in my life, but I thought it was delicious. I think an '06 Stag's Leap. Good stuff.

    A couple of nights ago I had my first Alsatian Riesling. I have been very impressed with the gewurztraminers and pinot blancs I've had from there, and I'm normally a big fan of dry riesling, but this one was quite disappointing. Actually well made, but very bad for my palate. Dry, bitter finish that tasted exactly like lemon juice. Turned me off.

  • cellarrat5

    Give the guy a break man. Name one candidate who didn?t break promises and didn?t piss a few people off after he took office. He does not have a magic wand and unfortunately will not be able to fix Haiti either. The fact that he got elected in the first place proves people were tired of the same old sh*t.

  • tobymarcus

    I just wanted to say Gary, that your honestly and lack of ego (i.e. changing the scores) is one of your great attributes. Many people/critics would not do that simply due to their egos. The human nature of you and your show (that includes enthusiasm for the Jets) is one aspect of what makes WLTV great fun to watch as well as a great wine resource.
    QOTD 1: I find most petit syrah over-oaked, i.e. New World.
    QOTD 2: The NYG season, especially after the 5-0 start.

  • romtina

    QOTD 1: I am just a newbie and coincidentally I just tried my first-ever bottle of Petite Sirah this past weekend, it was the Bogle for $8. I have to say, I was rather impressed! Definitely have to try some more/other ones from this variety.
    QOTD 2: Biggest let-down was the Grove Mill Sauvignon Blanc that I have had on my brain for over a year, remembering it as extremely “pineapple-y”… But then I had it the other day and it was extremely “herbal”… Not bad, but not what I remembered… Was probably a different vintage…

  • guymandude

    Brutal P. S. showing ,oh well ,there're not all golden.

  • Richie

    QOTD1: Should try it some time.
    QOTD2: Theo Loosen 2008 Dornfelder. I expected it to punch me in the face and say “Why the hell are you drinking me so young you fool”. But it didn't do anything. Really light stuff. Tasted exactly like cherry juice.

  • NY Pete

    wtf is up with no smilies … GVaD insert eye roll douche here

  • NY Pete

    who is SS Chris?

  • allanj

    The M3 Chard from Shaw & Smith is Great!

  • cellarrat5

    Wow, kind of a manic show. Big fan of PS, but they do get a little hollow in the mid pallet have to agree with Gary and the Nation on this one. The big ass glass is in every show now, right on! You?re really busting out the platitudes and metaphors Gary, digging it! Delicious is never wrong, unless its Moly Dooker right? Do you think that last score was worse because you were tired of the varietal already Gary? REVERSAL OF SCORES!? Crazy, but you stuck to what you thought was right would expect nothing less. End?…

    QOTD 1: Inkblot PS is not bad. Cali makes some decent PS, it seems there are AVA's and other regions you are quick to dismiss, I personally don?t think its as easy as that.

    QOTD 2: The movie Avatar did not stand up to all the hype. Does not matter, JC will still beat his last world wide and domestic gross record.

  • cellarrat5

    Have her try everything. If she likes whites run the entier spectrum from dry and acidic to sweet and somewhat neutral. If she likes reds go from rose to cab or PS. There has to be something in there she likes!

  • cellarrat5

    Agreed, but Christian Bale is a badass, even though he occasionally looses it on set. if you haven?t heard that yet you should look it up. James Cameron is rumored to direct the next one.

  • charlzee

    Baffling show with all the indecision.
    Petite Syrah…Meh

  • cellarrat5

    If the good ones stay out of the spotlight how will VA ever gain overall respect as a Region? Don?t get me wrong, I have had a few good bottles from VA and other surrounding Regions, I do not mean to hate on the eastern producers. Good kept secrets in the Wine industry would be like keeping an elixir of life strictly for the Western medical community. Spread the love, as long as VA does not produce wines with overpowering VA.

  • gordoyflaca

    Recently had the '03 Nine North Wooden Nickel petite syrah, and was diggin it, liked the black fruit and the star anise, and the acidity was there; drank it next to an '06 Eric Kent syrah Dry Stack vineyard, and though the wooden nickel was more complex. Made me want to explore PS land a bit….

    Recently, an '05 Scott Paul Audrey, an '05 Billard Bourgogne Milliane VV, and an '07 Chateau Pesquie Terrasses failed to live up to my expectations…

    … whereas an '03 Amiot 1er Cru Les Millandes, and an '05 Salvo Foti Etna Rosso far exceeded my expectations.

  • Come on G-Man! – Your honesty is what we love! You didn't make the juice! I have several Concannon PS's that are RP-88's – They are disappointing *to me) as well. I was hpoeful-But not as much as you. :/ I do love their blackish color though.

  • Phil G

    QOTD1 – Like PS wines, but haven't had many higher priced options…

    QOTD2 – Was disappointed by Avitar. I like the movie, overall, especially the visuals. The story/plot, though, we a little lacking…

    Looking forward to a good classic week!

  • Even though you got dead depressed in this one, I really liked the show Gary. Tight and to the point.

    QOTD : I went and finally saw Avatar and it just DIDN'T live up to all that up at all. I mean…it was okay and the 3D was great, but it didn't do anything other movies have already.

  • TheWinedown

    Love some P.S. I feel a little let down like GV after watching this one though. I LOVE Elyse and what they do. I've had some really amazing wines from them and was a little sad to see their P.S. not make a 90 or better. There's always next year though!

    Biggest let down with a wine: Had a Malbec from my home state of VA. I was hoping for at least something decent, but it kicked my teeth in with tartness. Couldn't believe it! TART! We're talking lemons here. After 24hrs it mellowed, but MAN. Goes to show Malbec isn't the golden child all the time.

  • shutterich

    Can anyone tell me if Gary is going to taste any of these wines.
    St-Pépin,FRONTENAC,Foch,Valiant, Marquette.
    Mostly grown in Minisota
    Many Thanks
    Richard Clarke

  • angelatcarlson

    Hey Gary,

    CA Petite Sirah is not just Napa. Concannon's Livermore Valley PS is great stuff.
    Love it with a nice grilled steak and they aren't super pricy, at least in CA.
    Last year was filled with dissapointments, so this year I'm trying to focus on the positive.

  • ProfessorB

    Good show. It parallels my own experience with Petit Sirah: huge, jammy plum fruit followed by massive tannin and cedar, often with not much going on in between or afterward. I've heard it argued that we simply drink these wines way, way too young. I specifically remember having the Rosenblum PS Gary reviewed a while back – nice big wine, but as I told my wife I felt like a plum walked into the room and hit me over the head with a cedar plank. I also had a 2007 Turley Hayne PS recently, which while fantastic was definitely NOT worth the price, even considering it will undoubtedly get better.

    QOTD: Duke's game against Georgetown on Saturday.

  • vinoreviews

    Love petite sirah although I do not drink much of since my wife is not a big fan of it. Recently had a Jacob Franklin (sister winery to Elyse) Petitie that was pretty good also have had some good Petites from Wilson.

    Recent let downs, tried a couple Ridge Zins at ZAP this past weekend and they just did not live up to the Ridge standards if you ask me.

  • Hey Gary,

    Liked the show, although the wines were disappointing. Shows again how honest you are 😉

    QOTD: I_HAVE_NO_EXPERIENCE_WITH_PETIT_SIRAH. And i do not like that. Next saturday I will look in the wine shop I work if we've got some and if we do, i'll grab a bottle.

    QOTD2: 1993 Pomerol, thought it was Ch. Clinet. Was a little bit over the top, maybe we've decanted it somewhat too long, but it didn't meet our expectations. Too bad.

    Cheers,
    Sander

  • Nice show to start the week…

    QOTD1: Love PS… especially with a homemade, grilled cheddar-cheese burger…
    QOTD2: The holidays (Xmas, NYE).. always come with big hype, then they're gone, and you wonder, WHAT IN THE HELL jUST HAPPENED?

  • Neil

    QOTD: I first tried Petit Syrah years ago at Lambert Bridge Winery in Sonoma. In my estimation it was the best wine we tried that afternoon. Even still I did find it to be a big one dimensional. I definitely enjoy Syrah, Cabernet & Merlot more.

  • heathermcneil

    I LOVE the idea of tasting along…so going to do that! Thank God I can watch the show anytime, otherwise there could be an issue:)

  • djammalo

    QOTD: I felt the same way on P.S.. Expected more. We bought some Napa Vincent Arroyo ($45) and it tasted sooo much better in Napa. Got it home and tried it, and actually blind tasted against a Parducci ($10), and tasted genrally the same, with the Arroyo being a little more silky.

  • GLrocks

    Gary good work on the Petite Syrahs . Definateley remember that one of the main varietal flavor profiles is spicy and peppery notes . As you mentioned the color has a lot to do with the small berry size and lots of skin contact during the pressing. Unfortunately for a lot of the Napa Petite Syrahs..many winemakers make them in the Cabernet style and have a tendency to pick over ripe, over extracted, as well as over oak them in the barrel.
    This as well lends to mid-palette problems that good blending should take care of. I tend to think that the wines end up a little simple and over-aggressive and 80's'ish as far as style . Good work try some Napa Syrahs and you may find similar results. There is a reason why Napa is Cab country

  • The Marquette I would highly recommend, and even though the Frontenac and Foch have the herbaceous qualities that he likes, they will probably get the pazz (as single bottlings), unless they are blended with others like St. Croix and Leon Millot. I certainly think he should try some cold hardy varietals at some point.
    I've got a bottle of 2008 La Crescent with his name on it…I bring the wine, he buys the sauteed scallops.

←  Older Comments
Newer Comments  →

Close

Not Subscribed to WLTV yet?

Never miss an episode and get notifications on the hottest wine deals!

No thanks.