WCC Petite Sirah Blind

My local Albany tasting group gathered to tasted assorted Petite Sirah wines blind. I brought 3 of the 4 Turleys that made up Flight 2. Even though the 96 Hayne I brought won WOTN, I was disappointed in all 4 Turleys. I suspect now that they're not young, they need even more time.

Provence did an excellent job with the food. All the courses went well with these bruisers.

Photos and a little more detail can be found on my website:

http://www.finewinegeek.com/tn/2014-01-23_WCC_PS_Provence/

Bistro Filet Drizzled with Roquefort Sauce.

• 2010 Stags' Leap Winery Petite Sirah 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  [Contributed by the general manager of the restaurant, Jamie Beale] Gorgeous nose of intense black fruit and bacon. Extracted, young, tannic, ripe, harmonious and balanced. A terrific young wine. Group #2. One of my favorites.

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• 2009 Priest Ranch Petite Sirah Somerston 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  [Open 24 hours. Not decanted.] Tight as a drum. Some black fruit in the nose. Tannic and structured. Needs a lot of time. Not fun to drink now, but should drink well in 10-20 years. 92-? points. Tied for Group #3.

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• 2008 Neal Family Vineyards Petite Syrah Rutherford Dust 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  [Double decanted at noon.] Sweet red and blue fruit in the nose. Intense black fruit on the palate. A huge tannic wine with massive fruit. Very much in the Turley style. Probably best in 20 years. Tied for Group #6.

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• 2009 Carver-Sutro Petite Sirah Palisades Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  [Double decanted around 1pm.] Huge smoky red fruit nose. Sweet, ripe red fruit in the mouth. Almost candy-like, but not cloying. Very appealing. Tied for Group #8.

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Magret of Mallard with Brandied Cherries.

• 1995 Turley Petite Syrah Aida Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  [Double decanted around 11am.] Big woody black fruit nose. Massive wine. Still too young? Needs another decade. Tied for Group #11.

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• 1995 Turley Petite Syrah Hayne Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

  [Double decanted around 8am.] Huge alcoholic nose. High alcohol in the mouth. Long, appealing finish, but hot. Hard to see where this is going. Is it OTH or just at an awkward stage? A lot to like, but too much alcohol. No votes for WOTN.

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• 1996 Turley Petite Syrah Aida Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  [Double decanted around 11am.] Tarry and complex. Somewhat dirty nose, but the palate is quite appealing. Still very young. Group #10.

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• 1996 Turley Petite Syrah Hayne Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

  [Double decanted around 11am.] Huge smoky nose of black fruit. Backward and tannic. A little tart. Still too young, but very good stuff under there. I say it needs 10 years, but many others think it is great now. 92-95 points. Group WOTN by a wide margin.

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Lamb Loin with Lingonberry Sauce.

• 2005 Rosenblum Cellars Petite Sirah Heritage Clones 73 Points

  USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Contra Costa County

  [Double decanted around 5:30pm.] Nasty, alcoholic nose. Gamey in the mouth. Not appealing to me, but some liked it. Tied for Group #8.

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• 2004 Concannon Vineyard Petite Sirah Limited Release 93 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast

  [Double decanted around 4pm.] Big, ripe smoky nose. Rich in the mouth with high alcohol, but balanced. Nice. Tied for Group #3.

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• 2004 Lambert Bridge Petite Sirah Winery Ranch Block 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

  [Double decanted around 5pm.] Similar to the Concannon above, but a touch more alcohol. Still good. Tied Group #11.

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• 2004 Behrens & Hitchcock Petite Sirah

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

  [Double decanted around 8am?] Lots of sediment in my glass makes this hard to judge. Group #5.

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• 2004 Warrabilla Durif Reserve 92 Points

  Australia, Victoria, North East, Rutherglen

  [Double decanted around 1pm.] Silky, rich, complex. A little hot, but still nice. Tied for Group #6.

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• 2003 Behrens & Hitchcock Petite Sirah 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

  [Double decanted around 1pm.] Big, rich, blue fruit compote. Alcohol is high, but the wine is balanced. No votes for WOTN.

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Manchengo Soufflé

• 2007 Bogle Vineyards Petite Sirah Port 93 Points

  USA, California, Central Valley, Clarksburg

  [Double decanted around 1pm.] Classic young vintage port. I would never have guessed that this was not from Portugal or from the usual Port grapes. A little hot and very young, with a long tasty finish. Impressive!

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All in all, an interesting and enjoyable evening. I should have paced myself better, and spit more.