Kent Rasmussen Esoterica Petite Sirah

I've had multiple bottles of the 2007, 2008 and 2009 and highly recommend the 2007 and 2009.

Kent Rasmussen Esoterica 2007 Petite Sirah-$20 if you were able to get some on Wine Woot otherwise it retails for twice the price but is certainly well worth the price. This wine was given a well-deserved 94 points by Wine Enthusiast.  I liked it better than the Kent Rasmussen Esoterica 2008 Petite Sirah which was simpler and more fruit forward in presentation, but still nice.  For many years I have loved Petite Sirahs even though the grape is now known to be the same as the Durif varietal in France, where it is raredly grown anymore.  Petite Sirah, like Zinfandel, is something of an "all American" varietal, (North American or U.S. to be more specific.) even though it did not originate in the Americas.

Deep purple and gorgeous to the eye, this Petite Syrah has great fruit, but is not fruit forward and is still rather dry, perfectly balanced and intense with blackberry and interlaced tannins. No excessive fruit, high octane or overpowering tannin as with some Petite Sirahs, this one is actually rather elegant for a Petite Sirah despite its boldness because it is so well balanced and has layers of complexity to it.   Some Petite Sirahs will improve with age, and this one should, but it is extremely drinkable now.  The Kent Rasmussen Esoterica 2007 Petite Sirah is one of the finest Petite Sirahs I’ve ever had in the past 44 years.  And I have had many of them and have attended blind tastings of Petite Sirah and Petite Sirah festivals.  A wonderful Petite Sirah!!!

I even wrote to Kent Rasmussen about it thanking him, something I rarely do. I've read that they also make an interesting Pinot Noir but I have yet to locate a bottle. I've tried to arrange a visit to this winery but have not been able to do so. Here is their web page: Kent Rasmussen Winery

Addendum:  I later had three bottles of the Kent Rasmussen Esoterica 2009 Petite Sirah and liked it almost as well as the 2007.  Point wise I would give the 2007 a 95, the 2009 a 93 and the 2008 an 87.