Handcraft Petite Sirah 2010

handcraftpetitsirahThe 2010 HandCraft Petite Sirah is 82% Petite Sirah, 7% Petit Verdot, 5% Sangiovese, 3% Syrah and 3% Zinfandel sourced from vineyards in more than one California grape growing AVA. HandCraft is one of DFV Wines (makers of Gnarly Head, Brazin, {noble vines} and several others), owned by the Indelicato Family (in business since 1924).  The HandCraft label is headed by Cheryl Indelicato, granddaughter of the founder Gaspare’ Indelicato. Cheryl is a strong supporter of Breast Cancer research and prevention and is offering donations up to $100,000 from the profits for HandCraft wines. This Petite Sirah was aged from 4 to 6 months (depending on the grape varietal) in 90% French oak and 10% American oak. The alcohol content is a stout 14.5%.  

The color is a dark and inky, blood plasma red with black highlights. The nose is blackberry, cedar plank, plum and black pepper. It starts with rich, ripe blueberry, dark chocolate, a little sweet cherry and a touch of vanilla. The mid palate brings a slap from the dusty tannins, they don’t bite, they just bring texture and structure, along with a splash of Altoid’s spice, white pepper and cranberry juice. There is a healthy dose of acidity, all the fruit masks it in the main body of the wine, but it will have you licking your lips on the finish.  The finish starts off strong and gradually fades away.

The HandCraft Petite Sirah is a big, delicious, fruit forward wine along the lines of a Lodi Zinfandel or and Australian Shiraz, but with a different flavor profile. This is one of those “cooking meat on the grill” kind of wines, it don’t matter, bring chicken, pork or beef and pour a glass of the HandCraft Petite Sirah and it will pair just fine. The HandCraft Petite Sirah lists for $14.99, but I found it on sale for $9.99. 

See also  Parker Station Pinot Noir 2010

 

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Don’t tell anyone, but there is absolutely no correlation between the cost of wine and the quality of wine.

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