Bacigalupi, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) Petite Sirah 2019

 I have heard more than a few people of a certain age  –  over 40, generously –  say they would like to see more Petite Sirah from California.  It was once fairly common in Napa Valley, and I remember Warren Winiarski circa 1981 pouring me a taste and temporarily confusing me when he called it “pedi-SEER-ah.”  By any other name, it has a certain wonderful dark exuberance and a degree of rusticity to it.  This one from Russian River Valley is the best I’ve tasted recently.  It is warm and generous with a combo of blueberry and blackberry fruitiness with a hint of bitter chocolate and a slight tanginess in the finish.  It also has full-bodied texture, and is just a touch granular, with smooth tannins in the finish.  It is worth searching out for PS fans.