2005 Chiarello Family Vineyards Petite Sirah Roux Old Vine

Both of these wines are enormously endowed, classic Petite Sirahs, but it is hard to give them the benefit of the doubt given their excruciatingly high tannin levels. Nevertheless, they possess some merit. Both are dense ruby/purple-colored with beautifully pure aromas of graphite, blueberries, blackberries, spring flowers, and crushed rocks. Once they hit the palate, they are very concentrated, but also brutally tannic and mouth-searing. California Petite Sirah enjoys a fabulous track record and it ages unbelievably well, so perhaps in a decade or so they will have matured into gorgeously balanced reds with well-integrated tannin. Only time will tell, but currently I can not bestow higher ratings given their tannin levels. Tel. (707) 256-0750; Fax (707) 256-0759