Sunday, November 28, 2010

Polite Petite Palate (No Way Syrah)

One "good" thing is just how impolite one can be when one is new and untethered to customs and rules and money.
Now what does this have to do with wine?
We have already talked about personal palate, finding and enjoying wine that suits you; being driven by price and marketing; that's where I come in: I'm on my own, I am not marketing anything, but sharing my love of wine and what I have "stumbled" upon.
You can make of it what you will. Candidly, there is so much out there, so many wines, so many voices, that I see people throwing-up their hands and just "blindfoldedly" grabbing a bottle of wine, but as I digress into Petite Syrah today, you don't have to be blindfolded.

Petite Syrah is another name for the Durif Grape, and in Australia Durif is the common understanding for Petite Syrah where massive wines with big tannic structure, which allows for or demands long aging, are made, but if you're inclined to know about the Grape rather than the taste (As I Reflect On Some Samples) go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Druif

Concannon Central Coast Limited Release 2006 Petite Syrah, $6.00-$12.00, 85 points, is a simple, yet effective combination of quaff able light flavors of plum, grape, other berries, and spice, with a fair aroma, that for the price is an outstanding value, and would be at twice the price.


Stags' Leap 2006 Petite Syrah, $31.99, 93 points, is blended with other varietals to tone down the massive tannins, but fear not, this is a super wine; beginning with an expansive bouquet that is gently expressive and aromatic, with the shear pleasure of just breathing it in, we can continue with its appealing appearance, its rich silky texture, but the lush early palate pleasure soon welcomes wide with white pepper ascending espresso, chocolate, and restrained berry madness, it is smooth yet complex.
This is a stand alone wine, but if paired with food it should be something on the order of big, red, and juicy; if you wanted to know what I ate with my first glass of this wine, I will not tell of the satisfying "sacrilege", unless you ask.



Fleur 2006 Petite Syrah, $14.00, 86 points,  is a medium bodied wine, fair and typical, though light on the palate Petite Syrah that leaves you with a memorable finish. A good everyday red table wine that compliments red meat dishes.






Zinfandel update: last month I tasted the McManis California 2008 Zinfandel, $9.00, 84 points, and not having a very good report (overtly fruit forward-too syrupy-over-whelming flavor of licorice), but for $9.00 not a bad price if you're having a party and it is appropriate to your cuisine.




Index-of-reviewed-wines

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