2003 JC Cellars - Petite Syrah Frediani Vineayrd

Readers should not be misled by the label of JC Cellars’ 2003 Petite Syrah Frediani Vineyard (which lists a “modest” 17% alcohol), because it does not taste or smell hot. There are 175 cases of this cuvee. The color is a saturated blue/purple, and the wine is almost painfully concentrated and intense, but very pure. Despite what I am sure will be protestations from the alcoholphobes, it is remarkably well-balanced. Although I would not go so far as to call it “vivacious,” it is a heavyweight example of Petite Sirah at its biggest and richest. It undoubtedly has 20-30 years of aging potential. Tel. (510) 749-9463; Fax (510) 864-0897