Clos LaChance - 2005 Petite Sirah

About a month ago I took a look at several releases from Clos LaChance in San Martin California. Across the board I really enjoyed their wines and found them to be well made. So naturally I wanted to include them in the 12 Days of Petite Sirah. They make a diverse portfolio of offerings across several tiers. The Petite Sirah I’m looking at is from their Estate Series.

The 2005 Clos LaChance Petite Sirah is 100% varietal. Some of the wine (12%) spent 18 months in new French oak with another 12% in new American oak. Just 385 cases of this wine were produced. The suggested retail price is $35.

For anyone who has seen the movie Spinal Tap they no doubt recall that the cover of their album was black. In fact they decided it was so black that it could be “none more black.” Well I’m here to report that the Clos LaChance 2005 Petite Sirah could be none more purple. It could probably inspire Purple Haze and Purple Rain with it’s incredible color. Aromas of wild berry and violets are very prominent. Jammy blackberry leads the way and continues through with a big round, opulent mid-palate. The finish features dark chocolate, spice and a chicory note along with an undercurrent of earthiness. Match this one up with full flavored foods.

The Clos LaChance Petite Sirah has firm, persistent tannins. It strikes me that this wine is really a baby right now. At the moment it features a fruity, jammy appeal. Time in the bottle will settle that fruit down a bit, bring out the earthiness and simply serve this one well as it comes together even more. If you like Petite Sirah, whether you drink this selection today or cellar it for a decade, you’ll be rewarded. As with each of the other Clos La Chance wines I looked at, the Petite Sirah is a well crafted wine made to enjoy with a meal.

Check out PS I love You, the Advocacy Group dedicated to this great varietal.

Please Stay Tuned: 12 Days of Petite Sirah Continues!!!

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Ironstone Vineyards - 2004 Petite Sirah

The 12 Days of Petite Sirah travels back to the Sierra Foothills. A couple of months back I tasted some wines from Ironstone Vineyards at a large scale tasting. Specifically I recall their Cabernet Franc being enjoyable. Ironstone was launched some 20 years ago and is a family owned and operated business.

The Ironstone Vineyards 2004 Petite Sirah has 4% Zinfandel was blended in. This wine was aged in French oak. The suggested retail price is $10.

This Petite Sirah opens up with a nose of deep, dark, funky fruit. The first sip reveals plum, blackberry and chocolate notes. Black pepper and additional dark fruit make up the remainder of the wines palate. Unfortunately the finish is on the short side and the flavor drops off fairly quickly. This wine has 15% alcohol which isn’t unusual for some Petite Sirah’s. In this case though this wine drinks a liite hot. It’s also strikes me as a bit too acidic.

The 2004 Petite Sirah from Ironstone Vineyards has some true varietal character and a few appealing flavor notes. The dark chocolate notes are perhaps the most appealing characteristics this wine offers. At almost 4 years old this wine doesn’t really feel like it’s come together yet. Considering that it’s a bit out of balance I’m not confident additional time in the bottle will help it resolve itself. Even at a modest price point of $10 it’s impossible to reccomend this wine. There are numerous other more satisfying examples in that price range.

 

Check out PS I love You, the Advocacy Group dedicated to this great varietal.

Next: 12 Days of Petite Sirah Continues!!

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