All rights reserved. But the conventional wisdom only works when all other things are equal. In recent tastings comparing California Petite Sirahs against California Syrahs of similar vintage and price, I've found little consistency, and would be hard pressed to argue that one or the other is better. Here, presented in order of my preference, are two of each.
Flavors follow the nose, appetizing fruit, pepper and lemon-squirt acidity.
A surprisingly stylish Petite Sirah at a low-end price. Excellent with pollo al diablo , grilled chicken breasts with a lemon marinade and a sprinkle of red-pepper flakes. Full, rich and almost sweet, jammy black fruit is balanced by tart acidity. Fine with a simple chicken sautee finished with a lemon-butter pan sauce. Very dark garnet in color, with a disconcerting blast of oaky vanilla overpowering the aroma at first, ripe blueberry fruit peeking out shyly from behind it.