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Petite Sirah Hurrah

6/12/2014

 
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Not subtle in any way and thus a firm hit at Chateau Purple Teeth!  Following on from our previous Zin blog, we stuck to California but experimented with a new (to us) varietal.
Maybe I've had Durif in a blend sometime, as the varietal is correctly named.  It's named after the botanist & grape breeder who discovered it in his eastern French vineyard in the 1860s.  
It's thriving in California under the name Petite Sirah and, we sampled McManis Family Vineyards' 2012.  It's £9.95 from The Wine Society.

It has a huge and intense bouquet on opening - fruit-filled and almost floral. 
I poured a glass and let it sit for a while as I was busy watching the US Open Swing Dance Championships on line (West Coast Swing is also from California).  The smell was so pronounced it floated up from behind my computer tempting me to take a sip.  Finally, I succumbed. 
On the palate, the striking thing is intense acidity and a raspberry/blackberry jam flavour that lasts and lasts.  The finish is long.

Picture£9.95 from The Wine Society
This wine just smacks you in the mouth like Mohammed Ali & leaves you feeling "I am the greatest".

Another sip reveals chocolate, black cherry, smooth tannin, and some nutmeg.   If you like big California Zinfandels, and juicy Australian Shirazes, you'll undoubtedly love this. And at 13.5% it's a bit lighter in alcohol than most Zin, and that's always a help if wine is as prevalent in your house as mine...

After one glass, I vacuum pumped it up and put it away to enjoy again the next day. 
Deeply coloured and full bodied - on appearances alone it's a hit with Mr Purple Teeth.  He didn't get to taste it on the first night, and he felt it was more subtle than my initial findings.  Yes, it had mellowed somewhat, but he still noted some complexity and really enjoyed it.

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The label is minimalist by new world standards, but perhaps everyone in California knows when it comes to Petite Sirah. Indeed, I believe there is even a website "PS I love you".  


Looking up the winemaker website, here's how they describe it.  

"The 2012 offering of Petite Sirah from McManis Family Vineyards is vivid purple in color, with aromas of full toned Blackberry and Boysenberry. Caramel and Toffee are evident in the bouquet, as well as a Chocolate oak profile. The wine is substantial, yet has a rich soft cream texture of mocha. Very elegant and full of ripe black fruit flavors of Blackberry and Blueberry. These fruit flavors are savoured in the lingering mouthwatering finish."



Sure enough this will appeal to those who like sweeter flavours even though this is bone dry. We'll be ordering it again.  Cheers!

    Purple Teeth

    My name's Heather and I've been enjoying wine for over 20 years. I'm the 2013 winner of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust Rhone prize for oustanding students at the advanced level.
    My mission is to share my passion for the myriad varieties of fermented grape juice, hopefully inspiring you to try something new, or to host  a Purple Teeth wine party in your own home or business.

    My blog mainly features wines you should be able to find on your local high street or online, and occasionally, I will review restaurants, travel and other forms of alcohol, since my qualification covers spirits too.  I believe it's important to enjoy the calories and the cash we spend on alcohol, and I hope my guidance can help you reduce the risk of making a bad buy.
      
    When I'm not drinking wine, you'll find me on the dance floor where West Coast Swing is my dance of choice. Socialising with the friends I've made there from all over the world has also brought me new adventures in alcohol!  And just in case you're interested, I also write a blog called Confidence Within.  You'll find it at heatherharrison.weebly.com


    Remember to enjoy wine sensibly...
    For a woman, 2-3 units per day is the recommended maximum allowance.  This equates to around one standard "pub measure" glass of wine:
    175ml of 13% alcohol wine is 2.3 units (and a scary 140 calories).  
    You'll find all the facts you need about safe, moderate drinking at the www.Drinkaware.co.uk site. 
    Purple Teeth supports safe drinking. Never drive or operate machinery after drinking alcohol.

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