Parducci Petite Sirah

I don't know how it's possible for a PS to taste and smell like this. Almost no aroma at all, even after substantial breathing in the glass. Eventual hints of dark fruit after a long wait. The palate yeilds an instant of the dark fruit before sucking the saliva right off the tongue. Bummer.

13.5 abv, synthetic cork. "Sustainable" winemaking practices. Dark red. Initially oaky, blows off to show candied fruits and plum notes. Doesn't have the overly jammy sometimes medicinal character I've come to associate with california PS. Densely structured but the acid is in balance - you can actually take this with food. Medium weight, moderate finish. Very good. On special at Pakay, excellent QPR.

Nice simple, inexpensive table wine. Not much nose (a little earthy), deep purple color, fruit and tannin.

Wow, this is impenetrably dark , black colour. Not too much nose. Super bramble and blueberry flavours, chewy depth, medium long finish. Full bodied, a big wine with a surprisingly low 13.5%abv. Very moreish and attractive. After drinking it I checked the merchants site to see its a blend of 86% Petite Sirah, 12% Syrah, 1% Viognier & 1% Chardonnay ; I'm guessing the last two were co-fermentations. I really liked this.

Michael Druitt Vintners/Hallgarten Annual Tasting (Claridge's Hotel, London) : Light bodied and restrained, not a big wine, some leathery tones under modest fruit.