Feeling a little bored of the same old Shirazes and Cabs? Why not try something a little different? Most often associated with California, Petite Sirah finds a happy home in Australia's Riverina. Not to be confused with Syrah, Petite Sirah's flavour is similar, but it has an exuberant heartiness Syrah lacks. And there's nothing small about it: "petite" refers to the size of the grapes, not what's in the bottle.
Tasting Note: Inky purple in colour. Rich, ripe plum, sweet oak, and mocha aromas jump from the glass. Round, juicy, and supply textured on the palate, it's dry and full-bodied with concentrated spiced fruit and persistent dark chocolate and coffee.
Enjoy With: This is the perfect match for rich, spicy red meat dishes. Break it out for an early season barbecue.
Style: Dry, full-bodied, fruity red wine.
Terroir / Region: Riverina is part of New South Wales, located 450 kilometres southwest of Sydney on the Murrumbidgee River. Its hot, dry growing season yields large volumes of great value, easy-drinking wines year after year. With water a scarcity, irrigation technology is highly developed, and this know-how carries over to the wineries: Riverina wines are known for their technical excellence.
Producer: De Bortoli is a third-generation family company established in 1928 by Vittorio De Bortoli. Expanded greatly by his son Deen, who ran the show until his death in 2003, De Bortoli has a broad range of wines (most famously, Noble One, the benchmark of Australian dessert wines). The Bilbul property, where the Selection range is made, was the original De Bortoli site. Deen's four children carry on the family culture of hard work, generosity of spirit, and the sharing of great wine and good times.
Availability: 800 cases were released Saturday, April 3, in Vintages. Look for it in the Australia section.
14.0% Alcohol/Vol. | 750 mL | #694802
Remember your reusable shopping bag & please enjoy responsibly.
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