Silkwood Wines is the next producer I'm looking at for the 12 Days of Petite Sirah. While they are based in Modesto California today, their roots go back to 1979 and St. Helena in the Napa Valley. 
Location isn't the only thing that's change for Silkwood though. They started out making wine from mainly purchased grapes. Today the wines they make are from their own Estate Vineyards in Stanislaus County. To achieve the quality they're striving for they drop up to 24% of the fruit at harvest. This after having already dropped fruit earlier in the growing cycle. Currently they stand at about 10,000 cases a year of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Sirah and a few blends. The wine labels are actually printed on velvet, something they have trademarked.
The 2004 Silkwood WInes Petite Sirah was aged using a variety of different toasted oak inserts aimed at achieving their desired flavor profile. The suggested retail price for this wine is $39.
Smooth is the most appropriate word to describe the Silkwood Petite Sirah. In fact It's safe to say this wine is so smooth that it might trick you into not decanting it. That would actually be a mistake. While this wine has no rough edges, even the moment you pop the cork, decanting allows it to really sing. Once it breathes this Petite's nose is full of wild, dark berry fruit underscored by cedar and mocha notes. The big, rich, mouth filling mid-palate is dominated by cherry liqueur and subtle licorice notes. The finish has light but steady spice notes, pomegranate and a touch of espresso bean at the tail end. This is a big wine that will drink well on it's own or paired with a fairly wide array of cuisine.
The Silkwood Wines Petite Sirah is on of the most unique examples of this varietal I've had in recent memory. It's smoothness and immediate drink-ability seems to belie it's age. I'd be very curious to see what the wine does over time and how long it drinks well. In any case, it drinks quite well right now.
Check out PS I love You, the Advocacy Group dedicated to this great varietal.
Next: 12 Days of Petite Sirah Continues!!
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