Petite Sirah

[mrdutton]

I compared them because I did not have a baseline. This is my first experience with Shiraz, Syrah and Petite Sirah. When the Foppiano and the Crozes-Hermitage were poured they were poured vigorously into the glasses and then allowed to sit for an hour in my garage. I wanted them to breathe for a while since they were so young and I wanted them to chill just a bit. The garage brought them from a too warm 70 down to a drinkable 60.

When I went to a local wine merchant yesterday (We only have 3 "decent" ones here in Virginia Beach and one of those is a grocery store.), I was assaulted by a large display immediately inside the entrance. It was loaded with Syrah, Shiraz and Petite Sirah. Prominently on display were the Foppiano and the Crozes-Hermitage. I asked the owner if he was trying to keep up with Wine Spectator and he replied, "Well I actually think I beat them on this one." He said he put his display up before the article came out in the magizine. He said the Crozes-Hermitage was one of his personal favorites but could not say anything, personally, about the Foppiano other than to quote the recent WS article which gave them (I forget) either 88 or 86 points.

I was turned off by the Foppiano - and I don't think I'll buy more and put it up for another five to seven years. However, I'll look around and see what else I can find in this area or maybe at POP's. (Turley's is out of the question at $135.00 a pop - besides it is sold out at POP's.)

After giving it some thought, I tend to think that the Petite Sirah could be pretty good, given a chance and, as has been pointed out, the right age.

However, I can not afford to have any more enamel removed from my teeth. My dentist will have a fit.......... [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/wink.gif[/img]

[This message has been edited by mrdutton (edited 03-01-2000).]