I have mixed feelings about Petite Sirah. Many are inky and lack acidtity, particularly from warmer climates. Casey Hartlip made Berserkers a great offer at a great price on his perfumed, juicy sirah which was a great QPR. Any other elegant, juicy, styled Petite Sirahs you would recommend that are good QPRs avaialble in the market?
“R”
Here’s link to a thread on ct with recommendations. I have updated the top post.
http://www.cellartracker.com/forum/tm.asp?m=90687&mpage=1𖈿
Thanks. Saw your post and then saw the vincent arroyo petite sirah estate 2005 on WTSO tonight and grabbed a few. Even if its not great, its the only petite i have in the cellar. Hopefully it will last a few years too.
Not sure any are really elegant, it’s kinda like saying elegant PV…not really the character of the grape. But below are some of the more restrained I’ve had.
Quixote
J. Lohr Tower Road
Marietta
Girard
Yeah, I grabbed a 4 pack myself. A number of people really like that wine.
PS typically cellars very well, small berries result in a tannic juice.
DEUX AMIS VYBORNY VINEYARDS PETITE SIRAH AND AT $28 its a nice buy.
This one was pretty good. I could see it as good QPR at ~$50 given the quality of the wine …
-
2003 Turley Petite Sirah Hayne Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena (11/27/2005)
Broke this bottle while organizing my cellar. Saved almost all of the wine. The color is an amazing dark purple that turns almost neon red near the rim. This is opaque and coats the glass (and tongue) with purple. The nose is subued but pleasant with boysenberry, raspberry, and licorice. This wine coats the mouth with flavors of dried cherries, prunes, expresso, and a slight taste of minerals. The wine is balanced and possesses a long, lingering finish. Obviously consumed way too young, but exciting and unique. I wouldn’t open another one of these for at least 5 years. Hard to rate a wine this unique that is consumed this early, but I would not hesitate to give it a score in the mid-90s.
The Carlisle petite sirahs fit your profile IMO and I believe some make it to the retail market. I’ve had several vintages of various Vincent Arroyo petites and the consistent problem I have with them is the oak - it never dissipates, integrates, etc. I’m still sitting on a bunch from 99, 00, 01 and 02 and hoping for some miracle.
+1 
this one!
One more to check out would be the Dashe Cellars Todd Brothers Ranch PS.
The real challenge is to find one that has that ‘juicy acidity’ you speak of. We all know that Petites can have a good chunk of tannins, but acid? Sometimes yes, sometimes no . . .
I’ve always been partial to the Stags Leap Petites - classic petites from older vines. They now use a good chunk of American oak, which gives their petites a touch of ‘creaminess’, something that goes well with the variety IMHO. I’ve also enjoyed the various Rosemblum Petites, but I don’t believe those would fall into the ‘juicy acidity’ category . . . nor would the Jaffurs PS, which I love year in and year out . . .
Cheers!
I’m a big fan of the Teldeschi Petite Sirahs out of Dry Creek Valley. They usually release at around 8-10 years out, which is about when they start coming around. They have a rustic, juicy quality that I personally love. Screams Dry Creek to me. I’m still drinking through my 98’s and 99’s now. I think the current release is '01.
Not sure about availability. I have always picked them up at the winery, or ordered from them. I’m not sure if they sell much retail outside of the region.
Le P’Tit Paysan. An Ian Brand production. Seriously - this fits the bill beautifully and is a great bargain to boot.
Check out Storrs. K & L has their 2006 in stock for about $18. Really nice wine at this price.