Eighty Four Wines

Napa Valley Petite Sirah

9.112 ratings
9.22 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Petite Sirah
Tomato-Based, Lamb, Potato, White Rice, Pungent Cheese, Pasta, Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Salami & Prosciutto, Beef, Chili & Hot Spicy, Mushrooms, Hard Cheese, Pork, Venison
Top Notes For
Shay A
9.2

A project between Doug Shafer and Elias Fernandez. I think I’ve had this for at least five years and have never known the ideal time to open it. I don’t drink much petite sirah, but when TX barbecue is the food on the table, I figured this would work, and it did.

48 months in barrel! Inky in the glass with aromatics of potpurri, fresh squeezed dark berries, mixed berry cobbler, and espresso. Expecting a brash profile on the palate, I was greeted by a rather tame (albeit juicy) style which had great mid-palate depth. Freshly squeezed raspberries, black raspberries, blueberries, red and black currant, hint of peppered rhubarb and dark chocolate. Compared to other PS wines I’ve enjoyed (Switchback Ridge, Vincent Arroyo) this is less chocolate and spice driven, but the juicy and rich mid palate is there in spades. Oak tannin at the finish but not harsh. Paired really well with TX brisket and sauce. Seems to be in a good window now, but PS always seems to me like it can hold for a while, so no rush.

A project between Doug Shafer and Elias Fernandez. I think I’ve had this for at least five years and have never known the ideal time to open it. I don’t drink much petite sirah, but when TX barbecue is the food on the table, I figured this would work, and it did.

48 months in barrel! Inky in the glass with aromatics of potpurri, fresh squeezed dark berries, mixed berry cobbler, and espresso. Expecting a brash profile on the palate, I was greeted by a rather tame (albeit juicy) style which had great mid-palate depth. Freshly squeezed raspberries, black raspberries, blueberries, red and black currant, hint of peppered rhubarb and dark chocolate. Compared to other PS wines I’ve enjoyed (Switchback Ridge, Vincent Arroyo) this is less chocolate and spice driven, but the juicy and rich mid palate is there in spades. Oak tannin at the finish but not harsh. Paired really well with TX brisket and sauce. Seems to be in a good window now, but PS always seems to me like it can hold for a while, so no rush.

Aug 19th, 2022
James Forsyth

This is a wine from the Shafer team. Petit Sirah is such an under loved grape. Cherry, leather, licorice and spice. Velvety in texture with plush tannins. Would have been perfect with a barbecued burger.

This is a wine from the Shafer team. Petit Sirah is such an under loved grape. Cherry, leather, licorice and spice. Velvety in texture with plush tannins. Would have been perfect with a barbecued burger.

May 1st, 2018
Julia Geisler

I’ve been reading a lot of reviews that talk about ”hints of licorice” and today I finally found a wine I can use this description for. I’m not overwhelmed by the wine so much as the opportunity to use the descriptor. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I’ve been reading a lot of reviews that talk about ”hints of licorice” and today I finally found a wine I can use this description for. I’m not overwhelmed by the wine so much as the opportunity to use the descriptor. 🤷🏻‍♀️

1 person found it helpfulMay 1st, 2018
Charlie Tapp

Dried beef, blue fruit, sandalwood, pink Himalayan salt, white pepper and pie crust.

Dried beef, blue fruit, sandalwood, pink Himalayan salt, white pepper and pie crust.

Aug 20th, 2022
Michael Coscetta

Needs several more years. Delicious but high sulfur on the nose and high tannins on the taste.

Needs several more years. Delicious but high sulfur on the nose and high tannins on the taste.

Jan 14th, 2020
Charlie Tapp

Blue fruit and pie crust.

Blue fruit and pie crust.

Oct 15th, 2019
Charlie Tapp

Blue fruit and baking spice.

Blue fruit and baking spice.

Aug 30th, 2019
Brian Nickerson

Full throttle, teeth staining beast. Will wait to open the next bottle but certainly not disappointed with the results today

Full throttle, teeth staining beast. Will wait to open the next bottle but certainly not disappointed with the results today

Jun 10th, 2019
Willie Carter

Dark cherry red in the glass with light purple accents. On the nose there’s roasted coffee, cinnamon, stewed plums, and generous smoke. This is a big, bad Napa Petite Sirah and often that can go awry. But you do know who makes this, don’t you? Beautiful structure with deep complexity and lively fruit. Initially blue fruits, cloves, and oak on the palate. After a bit of time you’ll find grilled meat, chocolate, vanilla, and a touch of menthol. Long finish with black pepper and rose petals. This is surprisingly sleek and sexy wine.

Dark cherry red in the glass with light purple accents. On the nose there’s roasted coffee, cinnamon, stewed plums, and generous smoke. This is a big, bad Napa Petite Sirah and often that can go awry. But you do know who makes this, don’t you? Beautiful structure with deep complexity and lively fruit. Initially blue fruits, cloves, and oak on the palate. After a bit of time you’ll find grilled meat, chocolate, vanilla, and a touch of menthol. Long finish with black pepper and rose petals. This is surprisingly sleek and sexy wine.

Feb 2nd, 2019
Erin Joyce

“Pets” as they call it is such an underrated wine and rarely comes up in flash deal sites like Last Bottle. This wine is powerful, dense, bursting with blue fruit and a silky elegant finish. Other reviews noted licorice and I didn’t find it but will keep that in mind with my other two bottles.

“Pets” as they call it is such an underrated wine and rarely comes up in flash deal sites like Last Bottle. This wine is powerful, dense, bursting with blue fruit and a silky elegant finish. Other reviews noted licorice and I didn’t find it but will keep that in mind with my other two bottles.

Jan 19th, 2019