Treasure Island Winery 2016 Petite Sirah - Amador County

 

Treaure Island Wines Petite Sirah – Perhaps we could start by saying this is no obscure little wine grape. In California Petite Sirah is the sixth most widely planted red wine grape in the state. Last I checked there were more than 12,000 acres of Petite Sirah planted in California. Perhaps you are like me in that a lot of the time, the wines produced as a varietal of this grape are often too dense, too chewy, just too, too! Yes, this grape can produce some monster wines that are liable to leave your mouth parched and your teeth colorfully stained. 

Okay, so if that’s how you feel why write about another Petite Sirah. Well for one thing, I love earthy red wines. Second there are some winemakers that are interpreting the grape variety in a way that emphasizes finesse and grace over towering power of a wine — showing that there’s really is a reason to get excited about Petite Sirah after all.

Several the Petite Sirah I have tasted seemed to follow a formula or patter of picking the grapes at a high sugar level, leave the juice on the skins to extract as much color and power as possible during the fermentation. There are exceptions, but all too often this is the case. You might say that Petite Sirah is a very American grape. It’s the rare example of a European wine grape that has never really been cultivated in any meaningful way in Europe. Hence, everything that’s known about Petite Sirah was learned on American soil for the most part.

Conventional wisdom of what Petite Sirah is supposed to be.

The story of Petite Sirah begins in 1880 in Montpellier, France, where Dr. Francois Durif cross-pollinated a Syrah vine with a Peloursin vine resulting in a brand-new wine grape which the professor named after himself: Durif. This grape never really took hold in French vineyards, but in 1884 Charles McIver brought cuttings to California and planted some at the Mission San Jose in Fremont. Since then Durif got lost in California’s early years of interplant if vines throughout the state along with other dark-skinned grape varieties; Zinfandel, Carignan, Mourvèdre, and Syrah. It almost certainly got its new name because people noticed its similarities to Syrah. This offspring of Syrah has smaller berries. As to why the “y” became an “i” seems to still be a mystery.

Cabernet Sauvignon continues to grow in popularity. However, over the past ten years or so, there has been a resurgence in the popularity of Petite Sirah in California as plantings have continued to increase. Well, that brings us to our featured wine; Treasure Islands Petite Sirah – 2016.  The fruit is from Amador County in part of California's Gold Country. This single vineyard Petite Sirah is full-bodied, fruity with a dry finish. Yes, it is “inky” and nearly opaque garment in color. TI’s Petite Sirah is loaded with dark, black fruit on the nose and on the palate. While having a dense finish this Petite Sirah that winemaker Jim Mirowski has produced is well integrated with French and American oak, tannin balanced with acidity, and a nice, delightful touch of vanilla.
The wine is textbook Petite, dense and dark. Initially, it feels like a bit of a tannic attack, but wait for it, be patient, and you might find a pleasant suggestion of cocoa powder, followed by blackberry.

Winery owner and winemaker Jim Mirowski brought into the winery some wonderful wine grapes from Amador county back in 2016. Jim originally had in mind to use the resulting Petite Sirah in a blend. However, the wine resulting in Jim's wine making efforts was just far too good to use in blending. What to do as the resulting wine was not going to make for a large bottling? Jim decided to move ahead and bottle a limited production wine and the result was Treasure Island’s 2016 Petite Sirah from Amador County. 

This Treasure Island wine is delightful! Think black violet in color. Aromas of pomegranate rose hips, and dark chocolate with a chewy, crisp, dry-yet-fruity full body and a warming, complex, and an slight tobacco finish. Treasure Islands bottling of the Amador fruit has resulted in a very decadent and luxurious Petite Sirah with desirable notes of fruit, spice, and toasty tobacco. A dense and tannic wine with lifted and lively aromatics the balance and satisfy, a stylish pairing for grilled meats.

Treasure Island Wines is seriously a unique urban winery dedicated to making and bottling affordable luxury artisan wines and is situated just five minutes from downtown San Francisco. Treasure Island Wines offers a unique tasting experience. Jim Mirowski's and a few other artisanal winemakers’ wines are made from the finest varietal grapes grown in California and the wines are poured by the winemakers who make them. Treasure Island Wines is the original urban winery on the island. Treasure Island is located between San Francisco and Oakland where all phases of winery production take place on-site. Treasure Island Wines offers a unique authentic wine tasting experience without the long drive to Napa or Sonoma and there is plenty of free parking.

The winery is open Saturdays and Sundays and by appointment. The Island provides an environment with year-round natural cool and humid micro-climate, easy access as well. If you have never visit Treasure Island wines take a moment to view a video interview with Jim at his winery HERE

There are currently three other notable artisan wineries residing within Treasure Island Wines’ facility. This translates into a varying in selection of more than 40 different wines made on-site which are available for tasting and purchase. Such a variety for wines you are sure to find something new to discover and enjoy. Having tasted a number of wines produced at Treasure Island, and the number of bottles I have brought home makes me pretty confident you will find a delightful new wine to add to your favorites list.

While there are no vineyards on the island, Treasure Island is ideally located so sources for excellent wine grapes from a number of wine-growing regions. You will be able to experience renowned vintages of familiar varietals such as Chardonnays from Russian River, Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa and Alexander Valley and Pinot Noirs from Carneros and Sonoma Coast. However, during your wine tasting experience at Treasure Island you will also find more unusual varietals such as Viognier, Grenache, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Carignane from some of the best vineyards of California.

UPDATE DUE TO SHELTER IN PLACE.  At the time of this post California is under a Shelter In Place Order. Due to the recent Shelter-in-Place Order in the San Francisco Bay Area, Treasure Island will be open only for Drive Up sales and Pickups. All guests must wear masks when they arrive and when they depart, and when not in their seating area. To minimize contact Treasure Island will only be accepting credit cards.

Discounted Shipping Special!..

Treasure Island Wines is still accepting orders for delivery and are offering a special for shipping any online webstore California orders of three bottles or more for as little as $0.99.

Social Distancing: While you will still have to present to accept any of Treasure Island Wines packages (as required for all alcohol shipments) you can simply tell the driver your name without having to physically sign.

Thank you, and I do hope that you enjoyed this Zip Sips Video Wine Review for Treasure Island Winery 2016 Petite Sirah - Amador County. Perhaps you will see me enjoying a glass of Jim's wines this fall. I hope to see you there.....
 

John Krause - California Corks