Not the world’s most horrible label–but close. Forget the details on this, but I feel there was a sale of the label and a re-structuring. Pulled out with some ribs and corn-on-the-cob and various Memorial Day finger-fare because I couldn’t find any zin in my cellar. It’s there somewhere, but would require a semblance of organization to find… Destroyed the cork–my fault, just being careless–but saved it with a long screw. So black and impenetrable, the bricking at the rim is hard to decipher: I suppose there might be a bit of brown there, but hard to say. Seems rich and purple–still–even at 14. A concentrated nose of fruit and Dry Creek briar arises from it, berry pungent and spicy, mingled with alcohol and plentiful dank earth. I think my last one, and kinda sad about that…
In the mouth, nothing going South: vibrant and peppery, fresh as a daisy, not a touch of tertiary to be found, disappointing, actually, as it’s got a decade to go before true beauty. It’s just a rash, blustery melance of dark black fruit and acid, I suppose the former might be fading in light of the latter, but another 10 years would tell for sure. Nothing you can really *call* at this age. A timeless wine, thin and light over the palate, nothing over-wrought or jammy, just your normal 1980’s example of DCV PS doing its thing where *un-approachability* will be the key-word from intelligent reviewers. Balanced and effervescent, the caustic burn of body neither unpleasant or cloying. Achingly dry throughout, tannins a rubbery reflection of fruit-content and honestly: this is a baby. The way they used to be made and I’m sad wines like this have gone away to favor early 99% satisfaction. Anyone had any of the new-label stuff?
2008 OPTIMA Petite Sirah Dry Creek Valley Sonoma Co. 14.5
Stephen McConnell 