Anyway, was pouring rain yesterday so I decided to see if a friend was working at a tiny "project" winery west of Fairfield. Seven Artisans Winery on Abernathy Road. Just north of the Budweiser Brewery.
I understand the owners had invested to help an old friend and the winemaker, but he is now transitioning to a new life in Southern California so they are themselves in a transitional phase. The wines are all over the place-they are selling maturing "Meritage" labeled wines, young Syrahs, over the hill (perhaps-I was too afraid to try) roses, etc. A mélange of labels and wines.
BUT...they were pouring a tank sample of 2014 Suisun Valley Petit Syrah yesterday. Not a "barrel sample" as they had not aged it on oak yet. And...amazingly enough, this was a slurpable baby of a wine that I found delicious! The blueberry fruit was there from the PS, but the wine as a whole was light and lively on the palate. Very "moreish" to be honest. I doubt the alcohol exceeded 14.0%! This lively frame included PS tannins, of course. A very delicious herbal note (which I look for in PS) and also a touch...just a touch...of brett or funk that added more interest to the wine. This is already very drinkable wine soda pop! (Don't mean it is sweet...not at all).
We will see how it handles sampling from a growler.
