Friday, November 4, 2011

Markham Vineyards Napa Valley Petite Syrah 2003

Markham Vineyards Napa Valley Petite Syrah 2003

Label from 1997 vintage.
Don't be fooled by the 'petite' in the name, this is a big wine.

Dark color - full bodied - nose of black berry and floral, flavors of forward black berry fruits, spice, smoke, with a layer of floral and dill, accented by big firm gripping tannins that linger on the long finish.

RM 88 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=302653

These wines retail for $29 but are often available for less than $20. Its a good at value at those prices.

We learned from syrah/sirah specialist Carol Meredith during our visit to Lagier-Meredith Vineyards during our Mt Veeder Wine Experience 2010 that this is indeed related to the Australian Shiraz's. Perhaps it is the influence of the Napa Valley terroir or stylistic, in any event, my experiences show Napa Petite Sirahs to generally be firmer, with harder tannins and less pronounced and less lush fruits than the Aussie counterpart cousins as this wine shows.

See recent review of  Markham Vineyards Napa Valley Petite Sirah 1997.