Petite Sirah has gained in popularity in recent years because winemakers are doing a better job of taming the grape’s naturally aggressive tannins. When that happens, the beautiful floral and blue-fruit aromatics of Petite Sirah can shine. The 2012 Leaf & Vine is a superb example of a Petite that retains its personality with plenty of grip on the finish, but at the same time doesn’t overwhelm the pretty fruit with mouth-puckering tannin. This one’s a beauty and it was awarded a Platinum medal at the 2016 Winemaker Challenge International Wine Competition.
Leaf & Vine, Lodi (California) Petite Sirah 2012
By Robert Whitley
