La Sirena Moscato Azul 2005

A Muscat from the Queen of Cab? That’s right! La Sirena winemaker/owner Heidi Peterson Barrett, most famous as the original winemaker of Screaming Eagle, has for the third year in a row released a Muscat Canelli (265 cases) from Calistoga’s Solari Vineyard. Her brand, “La Sirena,” translates to “the mermaid” in Spanish and Italian. “I chose it because I was looking for something fun and magical (like wine) and because I love to scuba dive as well as make wine,” says Barrett. Striking packaging also summons the sea. The bottle is colbalt blue (azul) glass as is the synthetic closure. read more...Most Muscat is made into sweet, dessert wine in this country, or consumed the world over in sparkling Asti from Italy. Barrett’s Muscat is full-bodied and bone dry, consistent with Barrett’s signature style (her reds are notable for their silky, supple tannins as well), with perfume, floral, white peach, lychee, and pineapple notes, and is just the ticket for Asian or Thai cuisine. Other wines in the La Sirena line include a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah as well as a Santa Barbara Syrah. As autumn quickly approaches, why not enjoy one last delicious kiss of summer.    (hide)

Rating: 90/100 - As reviewed in Wine Advocate # 168 on Dec-06