Pacific Estates Petite Sirah Paso Robles 2003

This 2003 Petite Sirah is big and bold while maintaining a smooth approach. Wonderfully complex and layered, it has aromas of ripe cherry, blackberry, mint and tea. rich and full-bodied, the flavor is brambly and toasty. Well-structured tannins promote a long, chocolaty finish. Warm fermentation temperature and frequent pumpovers until dry resulted in maximum color, body and flavor extraction while softening tannins. Serving Suggestions: Serve at cellar temperature with barbecued tri-tip or lamb.

Blackberries all over this thing - from the nose all the way to the finish. This wine reminds me of walks down dirt roads lined with wild blackberry bushes. You'd keep your eyes open for the juicy ones, not the shriveled up old ones - and try to blow the dust off before putting it in your mouth. This wine is dusty road blackberries and the finish ravages your mouth like too much candy. Really interesting wine.

The smell action sensation is quite noticeably blackberry. It's very sweet and jammy, and I'm really enjoying the aroma. The taste takes the aroma a step further, by giving the blackberry flavor an almost overripe feeling and providing a slightly chocolate aftertaste!

If you close your eyes while inhaling this bouquet you could swear you were transported to a day when people still put pies in the open kitchen window for cooling. And the one you are passing is an inviting berry mixture - blueberries and blackberries abound. On your palate it's sweet blackberry up front, but I love how it changes in the mid palate to offer up notes of dry earth and leather. What a great value!