Olabisi Wines

Petite Sirah, no relation to Syrah, is known for its dark color and bold, tannic flavors. Commonly used as a blending grape to impart those characteristics, it can be found bottled in California as a single varietal in all of it's brazen glory. Petite Sirah was brought to California in the 1870's and has since gained winemaking popularity in this country, while it has fallen out of favor in the mother country, France. 

Wow! This enormous wine is a bold wine lover's dream. The color is distinctly inky-dark ruby on the edges and almost black at the center. The nose is luring with aromas of blackberry, plum, cedar and spice. On the palate it shows bold upfront flavors of black fruit, boysenberry jam, clove and pepper. It finishes with assertive, lingering chewy tannins. 

Inky, bold and powerful with big tannins, this wine needs some fat to stand up to. Of course, a grilled rib-eye or prime rib roast comes to mind. But leaner cuts work too if a creamy sauce is used as a bridge. Lamb works well because the sweetness is accented by the spicy notes in the wine. Try also with strong, dry cheeses. Pair with Mexican dishes as the fruitiness couples nicely, but watch the heat level. Tannins tend to accentuate the temperature perception.