Community Tasting Note

• Cyclist Likes this wine: 98 points

  June 23, 2021 - Coravin pour on a bottle I'll probably open and decant soon. This is quite well integrated from a fruit and tannin perspective and also just so, so elegant for a Petite Sirah. This is going to be absolutely beautiful in a few years. Quite closed now without a decant but the fruit, tannins, and acid are perfectly aligned for what I would say will be an incredible cellar ride. Disclaimer though: I don't normally drink Petite Sirah, mostly because I don't think Petite Sirah normally is done this well. 98++

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10 Comments

• MJP Hou TX commented:

  9/8/21, 7:06 PM - I'm a fan of Petite Sirah. Keplinger makes Sumo and some of the older vintages are drinking stellar right now!

• csimm commented:

  9/11/21, 9:56 AM - Cyclist - Thanks for your notes on this. I used to be a frequent connoisseur of PS and love it the same way I love a Mourvedre when it's executed right. Stylistically, they can be vastly different depending on the winemaker's influence. Would you say this version is more in the earlier-picked redder-fruit/zingy higher register spectrum, or the deep purple/black pitched spectrum? PS can be terribly tannic and even rustic sometimes, or it can be over extracted and too ripe. I'm sure the company line is that this is balanced and has both attributes, etc, but I was wondering your take on this from a style preference standpoint. Thanks!

• MJP Hou TX commented:

  9/11/21, 10:15 AM - Great question Csimm. I personally enjoy the dark fruit savory side. Most recent was a Sumo 2010 from a Mag. Helen nailed that wine!
  
  I might take a flyer based on the response.

• Cyclist commented:

  9/11/21, 11:46 AM - Okay a bit of an adventure here. Let me preface my comments here by saying I'm not normally a PS fan, so my take might be a bit different than yours, but I'm not normally a fan for the reasons you stated--that many of the PS iterations out there are highly tannic, almost unenjoyable monsters. This PS is definitely more of the deep-purple, black pitched style, however, it is very balanced. I get a ton of tannin, a ton of structure, whispers of a ton of fruit behind it, but it never overpowers me even though it is walking the line of being a monster. It definitely is a bit extracted, but I think there is just such a good balance of acidity with all of it, that it just keeps everything in check. So therefore, I would say this wine is quite a huge wine, but everything is in balance in my opinion, so it comes off as very well done, almost an elegant PS. It definitely needs almost a 12 hour double decant right now, and after that it *begins* to open up beautifully. I was very impressed in the fact that this was one single new oak barrel, so no ability to blend out imperfections or oak, and to achieve balance with that--impressive and honestly is probably due in part to farming practices, vineyard, and weather as much as the winemaker at that point when its a one barrel release. I would say if you like PS, this is definitely a very unique and well balanced interpretation and it is worth it just to make sure you are on the list for first in line to order the new 2019s when they release this October. The Grenache and Sangiovese releasing in October are in another echelon. I mean, they are just absolutely incredible, I'll post a review soon, but they honestly sit in the 99-100 range for me. I think it may have been the best Grenache I've ever had, will see if the new Andremily Grenache can outperform this Fall. I will also add that I tend to prefer Central Coast GSM grapes over anywhere else producing GSM. I had a friend with me when I was getting lunch with Alex and tasting these, and my friend "refuses to jump on my fine wine train" as he says and scoffs that I spend anything over $50. After he has a sip he turns to me and says, "I don't care how much this is, tell me when he releases it so I can buy a bunch". But then again any half good Grenache turns him into salivating Grenache connoisseur so take that with a grain of salt. A fun addition to all this is that the bottles themselves are super cool and super frustrating at the same time as they are just awesome but also don't fit in standard bottle racks on their side due to the shape so they will play with your emotions haha. I'd say give it a try, he's got a really cool back story and it is always great to see someone who had to work very hard to get where they are becoming successful and making incredible wine. Also, if you ever want to meet a stranger for a lunch or something, would bring a bottle so you don't have to fly blind on this one. I'm just a ferry ride away in Alameda.

• csimm commented:

  9/12/21, 8:20 AM - Hi Cyclist. Thanks very very much for the detailed response. Sounds right in my wheelhouse. I may have to take a flyer on this (it’s basically the cost of a bottle of Napa Cab! Ha!).
  
  Always up for connecting and sharing a bottle. I’ll send a separate comment with my email. Thanks again!!

• csimm commented:

  9/12/21, 9:54 AM - Well darnit all... I just tried to get some and they show sold out! Argh!

• MJP Hou TX commented:

  9/12/21, 10:10 AM - Geez! I was going to grab some too.

• #1Winelover commented:

  9/12/21, 10:17 AM - I'm going to have to hunt some down. Thanks for the great notes, Cyclist!

• Cyclist commented:

  9/12/21, 10:45 AM - Well it looks like someone here grabbed a pack sneakily, showing 3 pending delivery on the page haha. I guess there was only 3 bottles left, yup, just texted and asked, there was only one 3 pack left. Well I guess this just means we'll have to get together, I'll bring a double decanted bottle! Don't worry, I've got a few bottles and am always happy to share.

• csimm commented:

  9/12/21, 10:53 AM - Bummer. That's what I get for draggin' my feet apparently. Much appreciate your kind offer for the opportunity to try what I just missed out on. :)

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