We tried last night some PetiteSirahs including this olde:
1. SantaCruzMtnVnyds Duriff JonesRanch/SanLuisObispoCnty (Dry TW) KenBurnap/SCMVnyds/SantaCruz 1982: Dark color w/ some bricking; strong Burgundian/toasty/pencilly/Fr.oak some blackberry/PS/chocolaty bit tired fairly complex nose; soft rather dried out/tannic some toasty/pencilly/Burgundian/oak light earthy/PS/licorice/peppery fairly complex flavor w/ light astringent tannins; very long strong Burgundian/toasty/smokey/Fr.oak complex finish that tracks flavor; a bit on the tired/dried-out/astringent side but still has some PS fruit hanging in there; clearly on the downside but quite a complex old red.
$nc (BSvSG)
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More sattleslap from TheBloodyPulpit:
1. KenBurnap first rose to prominence in his first vintage of PinotNoir in '75 from his estate Jarvis Vnyd. It received a lot of attention for the very Burgundian style it carries. His assistant was Jeff Emery, now the sole owner of SCMVnyds when he bought it from Ken in 2003.
Durif is, of course, the correct name for the variety known (mostly) in Calif as Petite Sirah. It is a cross developed by Dr.Durif in the late 1800's in the RhoneVlly as a cross of Syrah & Peloursin. Most Durif is grown in Calif, but it is usually labeled as PS rather than Durif.
When this Durif was released it was one of the blackest wines I had ever seen, almost like an Alicante Bouschet. I was certain it would live forever. At 44 yrs of age, it is getting a little ragged around the edges, but still had PS fruit & was a real pleasure to drink. It still carries the signature of great Red Burgundy that was pretty much the style of Ken Burnap.
Tom