Guenoc Petite Sirah has been dear to my heart. Years ago, my wife and I bought and drank this Californian beauty quite often without much knowledge of grape variety, definition of nose and palette. However we were always pleased with the richness and smoothness of this wine.Fast forward to 2007, I decided to visit this 'old friend' and picked up a bottle of 2002 Guenoc. Surprised to see its label has changed to a more non-descriptive image. With further research, I found out that 2001 is the last vintage that carries the Lillie Langtry portrait.
Label aside, the 2002 Guenoc Petite Sirah still offers good QPR for a wine that cost around $16. This wine is smooth, rich and well rounded for a Petite Sirah at this price range.
Tasting notes:
Nose: Oak and plum with some alcohol upon opening (this wine does carry a 14.5% alcohol). After 1 hour decanting, notes of spice and some floral scent become more notable.
Palate: Blueberry and plum surrounded by hints of vanilla and spice. Although quite one-dimensional, it is balanced and powerful without being overbearing. The alcohol smooths out over the course of dinner and the fruit and underlying spice become more pronounced.
Finish: Long with a chocolate aftertaste. Pleasant.
Comments: Served with broiled rib eye steak and portabella mushroom. Fairly good match.
3 comments:
I, too, have long loved the Guenoc Petite Sirah. I seem to recall reading/hearing that the Magoon family sold it and that's why the label changed.
Farley,
Thanks for dropping by and sharing your interest ing Guenoc.
Andrew
I wish I could have tried the older Guenocs produced by the Magoon family. I have tried the '04 and the '05 within the last 6 months and been profoundly disappointed by both of them. It's like somebody took a petite sirah and then lowered the volume to just above silence. Decanting didn't even help much.
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