Maggio Family Vineyards - 2009 Petite Sirah

As would be expected, this Petite Sirah is very dark.  Like many good Lodi reds it is nice and smooth.  With long legs and an earthy nose, this Petite attracts attention after the first sip.

We found it to have mild tannins and there was a slight peppery taste at the end.  Overall, the wine did very well with only aeration.

What they say: “With touches of fig, cocoa and licorice Maggio Petite Sirah has a very interesting and lingering finish. Maggio is made by Oak Ridge Winery, the oldest operating winery in Lodi, California. This goes great with chicken or beef fajitas, as well as any steak.”

Aerator Used: VinOair


Appellation: Lodi, CA


Alcohol Content: 13%


Cost: $6.99-$9.99

http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12577323

Cupcake Vineyards – 2010 Red Velvet

Right off the bat, I noticed this wine’s long legs and bold scent.  2009’s are available but I had a 2010.  It did better once decanted a bit.  I would recommend aging a touch.  This California blend of four varietals is not too dark in color.  Upon my first sip, the flavor exploded. Being a blend, it has a nice complexity to the flavor which improved noticeably after being opened for a half hour.  I highly recommend reading the tasting notes listed on the bottle’s back label because it was extremely useful in placing the flavors.  On more of a marketing note, the name of this winery is simply genius!  I can’t wait to try their Angel Food white blend.

What they say: “Our first blended red wine for Cupcake Vineyards has over the top aromas of chocolate, deep rich blackberries, red fruits that follow through the palate to a creamy mocha finish that is unmistakable in its intensity and length, with a hint of coconut. It’s reminiscent of a blackberry chocolate cupcake with a mocha coulis.

Red Velvet is a blend of Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah; each variety lending structure, aroma, depth of flavor and a long creamy finish to this wine.   The grapes were harvested from some of the finest vineyards of California’s viticultural areas; each picked for their ability to engender these grapes with distinct characteristics that will add to this blend. Each varietal was fermented separately and later blended and put through a unique oak regime that imparts a certain creaminess.”

Aerator Used: VinOair

Appellation: California Blend

Alcohol Content: 13.5%

Cost: $6.99-$9.99

http://www.cupcakevineyard.com/

Thee Wine Co. - 2008 Petite Sirah

This wine is incredibly dark, rich, and wonderfully fruit forward.  I believe it’s their “finger paint wine” (I’ve seen people test this out in their Clarksburg tasting room!).  The smell was similar to a port and although I didn’t test it, I bet this would pair well with chocolate.  I would definitely recommend checking out their tasting room at Old Sugar Mill.  The owners/wine makers are their quite often and are a pleasure to talk to.


What they say: “The Petite Sirah is sourced from a mature vineyard in Contra Costa County with an extremely sandy-loam soil (similar to beach sand). Due to this soil type and moderate growing conditions, the vineyard produces low yields with intense fruit flavors. This wine showcases deep blackberry fruit with a big tannin framework. For those of us who love Petite Sirah, this one will not disappoint. Our friends at Wine Access love this wine and when they are not drinking it, they use it to fill up their Mont Blanc fountain pens.”

Aerator Used: VinOair

Alcohol Content: 14.8%

Cost: $18/750ml bottle

 http://www.threewinecompany.com/