By Duane Pemberton
Winery website: www.andiswines.com
The Sierra foothills of California are starting to make some good traction towards wine-lovers who appreciate lower alcohol, higher-acid wines that are very food-friendly. This 2009 Reserve Petite Sirah from Andis does an admirable job of showcasing just that as well as preserving the integrity of the varietal.
Technical Data:
- Varietal Composition: 80% Petite Sirah, 20% Syrah
- Appellation: Sierra Foothills
- Harvest Date: October 14th and September 11th, 2009
- Sugar: 26.5 Brix
- Acid: 0.56
- pH: 3.62
- Aging: 18 months
- Ageability: 6 – 10 years
- Fermentation: 26 days
- Bottling Date: Feb 4, 2011
- Residual Sugar: 0.01
- Alcohol %: 13.9%
- Price: $34
Nose: Plum-sauce, peppercorn, cigar wrapper, blackberry pie filling, dark chocolate and a hint of blueberry.
Taste: A very tasty Petite Sirah that exhibits most of the flavors I got in the aromas and does a very nice job of retaining tannin, acid and fruit. Excellent mouthfeel all the way through the entire sip – from the front-end of the palate to the finish. A very balanced wine that would pair well with lamb, lasagne or even a peppered steak.
