Petite Sirah Blind Tasting at Chris & Rich's House

Petite Sirahs were served blind and labelled 1-7. Everyone could vote for their two favorites. First round ended in a three way tie for first, so second round wines #1, 3, and 7 were re-tasted and you could only vote for one wine in that round. #1 was selected by over half the participants.

• NV Danza Del Sol Espumosa 82 Points

  USA, California, South Coast, Temecula Valley

  Boring, but competently made. Touch off-dry in style.

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• 2015 Korbel Blanc de Noirs - Methode Champenoise 84 Points

  USA, California

  Not terrible.

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• NV Wiens Family Cellars Amour De L'Orange 79 Points

  USA, California, South Coast, Temecula Valley

  Tastes like orange. Good job Wiens (sarcasm).

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• 2018 Akash Winery Rosé 87 Points

  USA, California, South Coast, Temecula Valley

  A little too green and spicy for my taste.

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• 2012 Monte De Oro Chardonnay 65 Points

  USA, California, South Coast, Temecula Valley

  Vinegar.

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• 2017 Doña Sol Chardonnay 81 Points

  USA, California

  Light and inoffensive.

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• 2015 Wilson Creek Roussanne Family Reserve Harmony Vineyard 89 Points

  USA, California, South Coast, Temecula Valley

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• 2015 Avensole Second Block 87 Points

  USA, California, South Coast, Temecula Valley

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• 2013 Monte De Oro Vigna Vicini Vista Del Monte 89 Points

  USA, California, South Coast, Temecula Valley

  Smokey, red fruits, tobacco, minerals, pepper

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• 2015 Avensole Touché 88 Points

  USA, California, South Coast, Temecula Valley

  Tasted blind. A bold wine with blackberry and minerals in the nose. Graphite, sharp red fruit, cigar box, and saline on the palate. Finish is very alcoholic and hot. Color has some bricking. Groups #1 wine, not my style of wine and I rated about the middle.

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• 2016 Bogle Vineyards Petite Sirah 86 Points

  USA, California

  Tasted blind. Brick red color; red plums, cocoa, tobacco; smooth and light. non-offensive, but nothing special. Groups #7 rated wine (last).

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• 2014 Marr Cellars Petite Sirah Cuvée Patrick 89 Points

  USA, California, Central Valley, Tehama County

  Tasted blind. blueberry, minty nose. jammy red fruits, minerals, chalky, lime pith, high acidity producing a tongue tingling finish. Tied for #2 wine in the group, and my second favorite wine from the tasting.

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• 2016 Hart Winery Petite Sirah 88 Points

  USA, California, South Coast, Cucamonga Valley

  Blind tasted. Earthy, mushroom aromatics. Very dark, excessively grippy tannins. Finish of lead pencil, black pepper and espresso. Tied for group #4 wine.

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• 2016 Michael-David Vineyards Petite Sirah MDW 85 Points

  USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi

  Tasted blind. Jammy raspberry nose, simple smooth chocolate and coffee. Tied for Group #4 wine.

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• 2016 Wiens Family Cellars Petite Sirah Reserve Temecula Valley 90 Points

  USA, California, South Coast, Temecula Valley

  Tasted blind. Complex and dark. Dark, young color; earthy, caramel, dark jammy nose; herbal, fennel, anise, baking spices; smooth palate with rising acidity on the finish. My favorite, group ranked second to last at #6

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• 2011 Stags' Leap Winery Petite Sirah 87 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Tasted blind. Dirty nose, rolled tobacco on the palate. Group tied for #2 wine.

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• 1998 Château de Rayne-Vigneau 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Full of apricot, lychee and honeycomb. Acids? nope. Mellow and delicious. Can't beat a $13 purchase that I have held on to for 15 years!

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The winner, wine #1 from Avensole, was the only Petite Sirah wine that was not 100% Petite Sirah. At only 67% PS, the remainder balanced out the bold, tannic qualities of PS with more forward and complex varietal notes. Sort of unfair.