Tenbrink Family Vineyards

2009 Petite Sirah
(Suisun Valley)

Suisun Valley has a vineyard relationship with Petite Sirah, aka Duriff from the French Rhone. We call it Petite Sirah possibly because the old growers of the 1800's just thought of it as that smaller vine out in the vineyard. Name stuck and the vine is somewhat stuck on loving Suisun Valley.

Steve Tenbrink grows Petite Sirah, but also makes a bit for his own family label, Tenbrink Family Vineyards. The 2009 vintage created shows all the brawn but also highly approachable tannin for a structured wine like Pets. Guts and Glory of the vineyard.

Spice and cedar on the nose, dense dark purple in hue and smacking of dark fruits wrapped in a fine grained tannin blanket with just a bit of funk. This one is made for the hedonistic delight of Petite Sirah.

Better find some food with real backbone to put to the test. Have to leave it to the chef of the realm to make the call.

Reviewed June 18, 2013 by Roger King.