Don’t let the word “petite” in the name petite sirah fool you. There is nothing small or dainty about petite sirah wines. These are big, powerful inky dark reds that have aggressive tannins and are usually high in alcohol. Petite sirah is a synonym for durif, which was created in the 1800s by French botanist Dr. Francois Durif, who crossed syrah and peloursin grapes. The following two examples would both go well with savory foods like grilled beef, barbecued ribs, lamb chops and wild mushroom dishes.
Parducci Wine Cellars 2020 Small Lot Petite Sirah, Mendocino County, California
Bought • Schnucks, 8867 Ladue Road, in February for $14.99
Description • This high-scoring petite sirah comes from Parducci Wine Cellars, which was founded in 1932 and is the longest-running winery in Mendocino County. Aged in French and American oak, it’s a full-bodied, bold wine that has a smoky, meaty aroma that makes your mouth water. A blend of 84% petite sirah, 9% merlot and 7% syrah, this red is a little earthy and tastes of dark plums and blackberries with hints of tobacco and leather. It does have a high alcohol level of 15%, but it’s very well balanced with firm tannins and a silky texture.
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Old Soul 2020 Petite Sirah, Lodi, California
Bought • Schnucks, 8867 Ladue Road, in February for $12.99
Description • Old Soul is a brand produced by family-owned Oak Ridge Winery, which began as the East-Side Winery in 1934 and is Lodi’s oldest operating winery. Like the Parducci, the Old Soul petite sirah is a full-bodied red with a high alcohol level, in this case, 14.5%. However, the Old Soul is a little easier to drink because it’s fruitier and has tamer tannins. Aged in French oak, it’s a blend of 85% petite sirah and smaller amounts of zinfandel, rubired and cabernet sauvignon. It tastes of rich, juicy dark fruit with notes of spice and dark chocolate.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch lists the best-reviewed wines of 2022. The list has been divided into sparkling, white and red wines.
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