November 13, 2019
From a tiny hillside vineyard north of the East Bay Area town of Lafayette in the relatively unknown Lamorinda AVA. About half each Petite Sirah and Syrah. Big red wine – deep, dark ruby-red color. Smells and tastes of blackberry and blueberry preserves, cracked black pepper, cloves, bittersweet chocolate, anise and roasted mushrooms. The St Romedius Red Wine 2017 is robust and extremely concentrated. It sets itself apart by keeping its big tannins in check and carrying its 15% alcohol with ease. I recommend it with full flavored bean dishes, slow-cooked stews and roasted or grilled red meats. Also read […]
June 28, 2019
Blend of roughly 60% Petite Sirah, 30% Syrah and 10% Zinfandel (co-ferment) sourced from the mountains in the far eastern reaches of Napa County. It’s warm, ripe, dark and soulful. You have to like a big ripe berry style of red – most who enjoy California wine do. Get blackberries, blueberries, warm cocoa, fresh ground black and cigar box. Very new-world style in its up-front fruitiness, richness and natural power. Smooth tannins, medium acidity, drink now through 2022. Kent Price wines are made by long-time Napa Valley winemaker Rudy Zuidema. Mr. Price, with Zuidema’s assistance, buys top-notch grapes from Napa […]
June 25, 2019
The Merisi Red Wine 2016 is 95% Petite Sirah and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Primarily from “Ceja Vineyard” in Sonoma Valley (a little bit of Lake County fruit included). Strong, powerful red wine, as expected from a (mostly) Petite Sirah wine. Get deep red berry liqueur flavors along with cracked black pepper, roast coffee beans, dried rosemary and tarragon. Very much a hearty red, that said the wine’s power is pulled back just enough. For fruit, power, concentration and spice, this wine competes with Napa Cabernets priced 2 or 3 times this modest price of $28. It’s a DDWA “Awesome Value.” […]
February 20, 2018
A real waker-upper, the 5th incarnation of “The Road Les Traveled” is 74% Petite Sirah, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec and 4% Cabernet Franc. Made from 2013 and 2014 vintages. Prepare yourself for a small explosion of cocoa-covered blueberries plus black licorice and black pepper in the mouth. Subtle it is not. Less tannic (drying) than most super-powered Petite Sirahs, so the flavors keep on going (delicious, 20 second finish). This has bacon cheeseburger written all over it. While Behrens Family Cabernets continue to climb the price ladder due to higher and higher Cabernet grape prices, they are able […]