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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


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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

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  • Gary you took out the thunder stick and beat these wines like a jockey wipes a horse around the final turn at the Kentucky Derby. I was shocked you didn't like these wines. Lately it seems from Napa if it doesn't have a Caymus, Dominus(napanock), or Vaynaic Label on it your deeestory it. What's up with that?

  • teckdeck2008

    qotd: i know this is going to sound lame, but the combination of me just having graduated from college and my friends not being big wine drinkers i don't get enough of a chance to truly try a lot of wine. i don't remember ever having petite sirah, so sorry…i'll apply myself more lol.

    And as for the second part, the most disappointing wine recently was a cooke's champagne which was too goupy, oaky, and vanilla tasting for my pallete. my parents loved but cringed everytime i took a sip which really pissed of my parents lol. what can i say…anyways, good show and i will definitely seek out a petite sirah for my next wine.

  • teckdeck2008

    he tells it like it is…i have to agree with him in that one dimensional wines, no matter how tasty they are, just feel really lacking to me.

  • I have liked the Durif and Petit Syrah I've tasted. Often fruitbombs but always a good nose.
    It's like the first pushup monday morning .. I wish I did that actually rofwl..
    Is it really the grape that let you down or the winemakers? If the grape is onedimensional, what can a good winemaker do? Or is it just that the industry tend to get more and more standardized and winemakers give the sure thing, fruit!

    QOTD:Yesterday, my group at work trying to work out a problem amongst us, but nobody but me really had the guts to spill the 5 cents worth.

  • This show was CRACK-A-LACKIN'! =D

    qotd1: Havn't really tasted many 100% petit sirah. Some from Baja California (Mexico) which were surprisingly good, don't remember the names though. I actually was supposed to go work there for the last vintage but some problems with the plane ticket + the class 5 hurricane warning + the bursting violence in that area, I couldn't go ='(

    qotd2: I went to see the movie Sherlock Holmes and I came out a bit disappointed.

    ILKKA SIRÉN
    ViiniTV(dot)com

  • Drinking alone is the national sport of Finland! =D

    ILKKA SIRÉN
    ViiniTV(dot)com

  • Maybe we should start working out more, don't you think? Carrying these boxes of wine hardly counts as exercie…or does it?

    ILKKA SIRÉN
    ViiniTV(dot)com

  • PS was the first serious wine I had. Well that and a zinfandel. But I really liked it. It was a bogle PS. Was hoping you had found some good ones there, but its your pallete. I may find them outstanding 🙂 Have you had any on here though that you really raved about? I will have to check the spreadsheet.

    QOTD 2: How about the steelers 2009 season 🙁

    Jason

  • adrums

    late to the party here…
    I enjoyed the introspective, self-doubting nature of this show. I've found the petite sirahs I've had (foley, switchback) to be well made, opulent and impressive but a bit overbearing, and yeah, not all that transcendent.
    QOTD: I recently bought the new set of Brahms Symphonies with Simon Rattle and the Berlin Philharmonic, and while they are gorgeously played, as one would expect from that band, they just seem to lack the extra spark or magic that would really get me excited and force me to lose myself within them.

  • I have to go see Avatar, I've heard some good things about it.

    ILKKA SIRÉN
    ViiniTV(dot)com

  • What kind of beer do you like?? Here in Finland we have looooooooots of good beers but NO WINE!!! Well, no winemaking atleast and an alcohol monopoly (which kinda sucks ass). So, if you like beer you should definitely visit Finland. =)

    ILKKA SIRÉN
    ViiniTV(dot)com

  • corkscrew

    I first tried a Petit Syrah at the tasting room of Foppiano Vineyards in Sonoma a few years back and since they had been making that varietal for some 100 years they are good at it, enjoyed it alot. Only other one I have had was the 2005 Eaglepoint Ranch which was very good. http://www.winelx.com

  • seb10

    Hi Gary,

    I am a big big fan of your show. As a winefreak is it wonderful to learn everyday via your show. Little remark you made today about Banyuls. You said it was from the Rhone Valley, which it is not true. It is from the Rousillon region near the border with Spain.
    Lots of succes and health,
    Seb from the Netherlands

  • johncannata

    I think its a great idea to have a 'Taste Along' on Fridays. You may not receive a ton of comments until late Friday night when everyone is at home enjoying their wine after work, but will be well worth the wait.

    p.s. Gary, I've listened to Crush It (audio version) three times already. I pick up new things each time I listen. Really enjoy it.

  • I would have to say the iPad announcement was disappointing for me. I just don't see it as revolutionary. It looks cool, and I'm sure it will be a slick device, but not a game changer (at least for me.

  • ian42

    America was named after somebody: Amerigo Vespucci. The German Cartographer, Martin Waldseemüller, mapped the continents in 1507 and decided to name them after a Latin variation of Amerigo.

  • seb10

    BigBoy,

    He just calls them as he sees them. He isn't from the “Caymus-generation” at all. He just knows what's outthere. You're comments aren't based on the last shows,check the last 50 shows and you know that what you are claiming just is not true.

  • kiirabritt

    Love the honesty in your reviews, Gary. That and your kick a** personality. Always keeps me coming back for more!

    I noticed you teased the wines for Friday's show at the beginning and I think that one of them was the 2005 Domaine de la Casa Blanca (Collioure)? If so, I had that recentely at Terroir in NYC and thorougly enjoyed every little sip. What's the second wine that'll be featured on Friday's show? I think you mentioned that Mott would post them in the comment section but I couldn't seem to find them.

    Thanks in advance and CHEERS!

  • Looks like you made the case for Cabernet and Syrah on this episode, GV.

    QOTD: The Chargers' performance against the Jets. Maybe it was the Jets D, but something in me thinks the bolts fielded a non-passionate team on that particular day. Legs and minds full of “meh.”

  • Wineink

    Amerigo Vespucci (my spelling) is the guy who discovered the American mainland it is named after him. Columbus landed in Hispanola. (the island which contains Haiti and the Dominican republic).

  • Wineink

    Bought a big bottle of Moet Imperial. Hated it. Was three time the price of the bubbly i like and tasted aweful yuk!

  • Wineink

    I forget the date but it was made official at some scholarly do in Berlin. Amerigo was credited with the discovery of the American mainland.

  • I checked, missed Diamond Creek where Gary was complementary. Most other he rips Napa. Usually with a line that their are far better wines being produced in …. at a lower price point. I know he calls it like he sees it. I didn't say he was bias. Just asking him to show some love.

  • garyleak

    The idea of giving a heads up on the wines coming up is genius.

  • italianwinelovr

    Too bad a poor showing. I love this grape but don't drink all the time. I have to be in the mood. High alcohol levels don't allow me to drink as much so it usually is a special occasion. On my first date with my boyfriend we shared a bottle of '05 David Bruce PS I love you!

    QOTD: I try not to focus on the “disappointments” so I really can't remember any!

    Love the taste along fridays!

  • BrettFavre

    great show.. I am a huge PS fan, usually Rosenblums though.

  • psirahtampa

    I've been a big Petite Sirah fan for 15 years, visiting hundreds of California vineyards in search of the best. What I've found is that the best PS is made in extremely small quantities and is not distributed (only sold at the winery). In some cases the winery won't even tell you they have PS unless you specifically ask!

    There are indeed Petite Sirah's that show grace, depth, and complexity. Most of them, however, are one dimensional fruit bombs. It started out as a blending grape, and many producers still treat it as such. The better ones age well and evolve, transforming into a very food friendly wine with time.

    Gary, don't give up on this grape. It needs to be promoted to create awareness! There are many great PS being made, we just need to get more people to take it serious so that the better offerings can be made in large enough quantities to be distributed.

  • QOTD: have tried a few of the easily available PS only bottlings like the Bogle and Rosenblum…respectable but not knocking my socks off. I did get to try The Corvidae Fable Petit Sirah 07 from the Owen Roe under $20 line earlier this summer, and that came across really well, but was in short supply and may be vanished if you were not on the mailing list.

    The PS really does something special for blends…a little shoulder oomph!

    QOTD2: We've got a Petit Sirah kit wine in the basement that is ready for bottling…maybe I'll post a tasting of that one. It seems to be coming out a bit thin, and the PH is pretty low, so I am not sure that this one is going to be enjoyed best on it' sown and may be destined for use in blends or for topping up.

  • DFbwp

    Funny thing, the other day I watched a WLTV rerun on Petite Syrah, where you gave the Bogle a good review. Was looking for a cheese wine on the fly at a supermarket, and saw the Bogle, so gave it a try. Weird. Very big and fruity, but it almost tasted mulled. Went well with cheese. Super spicy but almost in a rotten way.

  • Glad you revamped your scores since you always “tell it like it is” and are true to your word.

    QOTD #1: I don't drink enough of them for sure but have always appreciated them during times when I want something “bold, red” and somewhat a “shot in the dark.” Of course, unless it's Bogle 'cause you know what you are getting.

    QOTD #2: Good question. With regards to wine, I was a tad let down by my recent excursion into the recent Oregon pinot samplings which I usually love.

    Go Colts!!!!

    Cheers,
    Dom

  • DFbwp

    Gotta agree with GV here. I grew up in NorCal with wine people including a Healdsburg grower and I am used to the Sonoma/Napa style. Doesn't float my boat as often as other stuff anymore. I don't drink expensive, but Central Coast has been the most reliable “wow” wine for CA in my opinion.

  • DFbwp

    A plum with a cedar plank, huh? Maybe that's how my Bogle PS tasted. Weird off spice note that might have been cedar.

    #Duke didn't surprise me. They don't have the depth to run with the big (Bull)dogs this year. And their big men inside are doing nothing right now.

  • Anonymous

    Had to step out suddenly so you’ll prob never read this, but…I guess it depends on your definition of “one-dimensional”. A “tight & awkward” wine, to me, is basically one-dimensional, especially compared to the same wine at maturity, which is the point I was trying to make. I tasted the ’06 Lafite 5-6 times within the first year after bottling, and to me, it was pretty much ALL primary fruit & (tons of) tannin; very little terroir on display yet. Yet the Asian market apparently likes their Bordeaux young & tannic…something about all the black/green tea they consume. Sooo, I guess they wouldn’t call them one-dimensional either. And why wouldn’t you get terroir from Cali wines? I know…..who cares?!? ;-p

  • Michael D

    Castello & Cellarrat5 –

    Thanks for taking the time to explain. I appreciate it.

  • ARMalkin

    Glad to see PETS get their due. Loved your comment that Petite Syrahs are too good to get mad at. Fun fact was good too–I didn't know that Petite was connected to the size of the actual grape and reason for the firm tannins. BTW you didn't mention that Petite Sirah wine from Carver Sutro that I picked up from Cindy not long ago.
    I suspect it is going to need about a day of decanting but plan to open one for trial soon and hold the rest.

  • I also liked the Bernardus 2006 Chardonnay.. $15.99 at my local Costo. The 2007 are now in andI wonder if they are as good… If you liked Bernardus, try the Artesa 2007 Chardonnay if you can find it. Awesome.

    Interesting about the Barth Rene. I recently received a bottle of their muscat grand cru (a gift from a visitor from France). I’m thinking this will be too sweet. .

  • My friend who is a sommelier has said the exact same thing about the McManis Petite Syrah. I must try it.

  • Beeper

    Pumped for the week of classic shows, but MORE pumped that you showed us what's coming on Friday – even though I'll never be able to get any of them into South Dakota by then…

    QOTD1: Only had one petite sirah before, I think it was a Ravenswood, so pry not the best first impression…
    QOTD2: Picked two bad places to eat when I was in NYC 2 weeks ago, didn't do enough research beforehand. Lesson learned.

  • lawrenceleichtman

    I for one am a big fan of petit syrah and always have 3-5 cellared. My biggest disappointment wine wise was the Sharp Zindfandels that I found to be poorly made and too sweet.

  • Geekin it up: The question of what is petite sirah is still up in the air. According to Sean Thackrey the original plantings in Calif. came from Hermitage and those berries were small berry clones of syrah (hence petite) that were different than the berries in Cote Rotie which used Serine grapes that were an oval shape. WS went into it a bit in their Nov 30 issue in 2008 on Syrah. Anyways, Gary is right about the small berries. I wonder if anyone in Hermitage ever referred to their grapes as Durif? Then again these vineyards have been around longer than the name “Durif” has and they had to be calling their variety something. Maybe some makers referred to their berries on the Hermitage hill as petite syrah. I'd love any additional insight.

  • No kidding?! Berlin usually rocks it big time. And Rattle can “bring the thunder”. I'm not familiar with the new Brahms recordings but if it is anything less than magic I'd be disappointed too. I've been surprised by a few recordings, though. Check out the Montreal Metropolitan Orch (not the Montreal S. O.) under Yannick Nezet-Seguin. The Saint-Saens Organ symphony was fantastic even just listening on the radio. I've also been impressed by what Gustavo Dudamel does with the Venezuelan Youth Orch. Check out Bernstein's West Side Story. If you already know these and like them then we have similar tastes. Keep on listening to the Classics!

  • MarcBelgium

    The wines weren't that good but I loved the show. In a sort of way it was funny.
    QOTD1. I don't know petite syrah that good. Ans after this show I'm not tempted to know more about it.
    QOTD2. Well, I'm disappointed because WLTV can'ship to Belgium. (BTW I just shipped a case af beer Westvleteren tot a guy in California, why can't it be the other direction?)
    And I'm disappointed in the comment section. Why do I have to re-enter my name and emial address, every time I leave a comment?
    I always see 'You are commenting as a Guest. Optional: Login below.' but below there's nothing to login.

  • boughtrecords

    I love Petite Syrah. I feel that value wise they are some of the best wines available. I can find a PS for $15 that competes with $50 cabs any day. Question 2, my mother got really excited about Wyndam Estates Bin 555 (2003) I believe. She called me immediately to tell me about this great find so I went to my local shop and ordered it. There is a 3 bottle min to have them order so I ordered 3 bottles. Then they forgot to order it a few times and when it came in they forgot to tell me that it was ready. I went in one day and saw it on their rack so I got my 3 bottles and they were upset with me for not being in sooner. I had to wait almost 3 months to get the wine, then I had to buy 3 bottles while the shop told me how they ordered a case and it was my fault for not coming in sooner… (I would have been there right off but they never told me it was in!) So as I am taking this home I am anticipating the excitement my mother showed when she called which would more than make up for the wait and hassle. It was mediocre at best! I paid $15 per bottle but knew where I could find more exciting $5 wines…. I shipped the other 2 bottles to my mother as a gift (without telling her I didn't like them of course….) She drank one and said, “Hmmm… it doesn't seem to be as good as the last bottle I had…”

  • Anonymous

    I could not agree more with your tourist trap trinket point. I work at a small winery in Lodi, CA. We specialize in Mediterranean varietals, and ports made with 100% Portuguese varietals. We grow Tinta Cao, Souzao, Toriga National, Touriga Franchesca, Bastardo and Tinta Roriz as well as Syrah and Verdelho. Our tasting table sits on barrels and we still hand write all of our invoices. We are one of the few you speak of that give hand crafted wines a new meaning. I often have to hand label some of the bottles that are missed on the bottling line.

  • Anonymous

    No, your right on.I was born on Friday the 13th and my dad was a huge Sabbath fan as well, so he nicknamed me NIB.

  • Anonymous

    Good idea,I just wanna see what he’s got.

  • ewb

    Over 40' high The Great Grape Ape.

  • Anonymous

    QOTD1: Most PS lovers admit (if privately) that the grape tends to be one-dimensional. Monolithic is a term I’ve heard used before with PS, and it fits. Good blueberry and blackberry fruit with tannins and oak. You get huge, structured fruit on the front and some (GV?) are disappointed with the lack of secondary or tertiary notes complexity, which is why it’s most often blended as it’s great with zin or even cab (hello…Prisoner!). If you can enjoy PS for what it is and accept that it doesn’t have the faceted flavor profile of a great cab or syrah, then you can be a PS lover.

    p.s. psiloveyou.org is a great place to learn more about ps–and I have no relationship with the organization.

    QOTD2: Just about any wine pimped by Jay Miller.

  • Anonymous

    Awesome. Like the Avatar as well, like a bleeding third eye. Do you listen to Tool? Their commentary on spirituality, the metaphysical and the concept of the third eye is very interesting.

  • DAveAll

    would you date a 88+ person, or just spend the night alone?

    QOTD: Karafe new board game for wine lovers – got it, went into it and was surpising bored. However, the questions are great ones. We ended up putting away the board and just took turns asking each other sipper and connoisseur questions all evening. Great learning tool, like flash cards for adults.

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