1997 Schuetz Oles Rattlesnake Acres Petite Sirah

Cheers Otis, I looking out for some Petit Sirah, so if this is an average example would you recommend it for a typical style?

Hi Jeremy,

To be honest, I've only had a handful of PS in my drinking life. I would defer to some of the others on this board to recommend some really fine examples, because I haven't had any. I'm sure someone like Vitis could tick off 5 or 6 bottles that would blow me away and change my viewpoint.

However, in my limited experience, this is pretty typical for a Petite Sirah. The aromas are often more enticing than the body, which can be tannic, earthy and chewy. I like it more as a blending grape in zinfandels (like in some Ridge bottlings). It can help lend some structure to a wine, but not necessarily fruit.

Just waiting for that PS revelation...

Cheers,

Otis

I am not an expert, but I have some experience with Petite Sirah. I bought 3 bottles of 1995 Fieldcrest PS when I was touring Napa and Sonoma in 1997? The first bottle I opened in 1999 and I found a mass of tanins as well as some fruit. I did not enjoy that bottle. I just opened the last one and I can say that it was much more open and the fruit was not obscured by tanins for the most part. I am not sure if the wine is at its peak yet and I think it will last another 5-8 years.

Petite Sirah at its best is full bodied and LONG LIVED. It is not meant to drink young. I think a 7-12 year window would be a good starting point and that some of the better PS may last 20-25 years.

Good luck finding some good PS.

EDJ

Cheers EDJ and Otis

I found the '97 and '99 EOS PS head and shoulders above the '97 Schuetz-Oles PS and agree w/otisabdul's assessment of the Schuetz-Oles. The best I've had to date was the '97 David Bruce Russian River Valley PS, a huge glass of wine that made you want more with each taste. Although I know that there are more producers of PS-only bottlings, they are distributed far and few between in KY.

[ 08-30-2002, 07:16 AM: Message edited by: kybo ]

Thanks for the reco's, EDJ and kybo! I'll keep my eyes (and mind) open.

Have a good weekend,

O

For those of you who want to try a really good PS at a pretty good price, try the Elyse 2000 PS. $29 at 91pts in my book.

Philip Staley and Fife make two worthy PSs. Try 'em if you can find them.

Ones that you can maybe find are Concannon (Livermoore Valley) and Foppiano. Both are good, if you can find some '97 Concannon Reserve PS, you will find a great bottling of PS. (I have one bottle left, and am looking for a reason to open it. If you're in the area, I might be willing to open it.)

Brian

cwg,koh,and brian,

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll look for these.

If I ever get to Maryland, I'll give you a shout Brian. Would love to try that Concannon and experience a stellar PS. Very kind of you.

Cheers and have a nice weekend,

Otis