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Reviews & Press
PETS
2007 PETS Petite Sirah, Wilson Vineyards, Clarksburg
Wine Spectator, posted: October 28, 2009
Score: 87 | $14
"Appealing for its bright and juicy red and black fruit flavors, with a smooth texture and vivid spice, cola and toast details. Gains some tannic traction on the finish. Drink now through 2016. 8,000 cases made."
—M.W.
"Once a month, a group of my girlfriends get together for dinner, wine and catching up. This time around, it was over a big pizza, and we had a big wine to match.
A lot of people look to hearty reds when it comes to pizza: Zinfandel, Sangiovese or Barbera, for example. I chose the Vinum Petite Sirah Clarksburg PETS 2007 ($14). Petite Sirahs have a reputation as chewy, brawny and tannic monsters. But not all are like that; I’ve had previous vintages of the Vinum PETS and have liked its spicy, juicy style and the balance of big, ripe fruit flavors with smooth tannins. The 2007 was terrific with the slice (OK, two) of pepperoni I had. I rated it 87 points, non-blind http://www.winespectator.com/display/show/id/about-our-tastings .
Petite Sirah goes by many names. In addition to its true identity as the French grape Durif, I’ve heard it referred to it as “Petty Sarah” and “Pets,” which is where this wine gets its name. In a nod to this alias, a portion of the sales of the Vinum PETS goes to an animal shelter fund." — M.W.
2006
Wine Spectator, posted: Monday, June 22, 2009
Tasting Highlights: California Petite Sirah
A dozen big Golden State reds that won't take a big toll on your wallet.
MaryAnn Worobiec http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Free/Authors/Author_Page/0,1173,102,00.html
"Two labels stood out from the pack when the bags came off in our blind tasting, including the PETS bottling from Vinum. "Pet" is an old nickname of Petite Sirah, and the bold black- and red-lettered label states that a portion of the profits from the sale of this wine will be donated to a San Francisco SPCA animal-shelter fund."
Score: 88 | $14
A tasty concoction of ripe blackberry, boysenberry and cassis flavors that are ripe and juicy, with thick tannins, wonderful spicy notes and a hint of fresh cracked black pepper. Drink now through 2014. 8,000 cases made. —M.W.
2005
Food & Wine Magazine, April, 2008
67 Best American Wines $15 & Under, Petite Sirah 2005 PETS ($14)
"Vinum Cellars makes a number of appealing wines, including their fanciful CNW—“Chard No Way”— white blend, but the top value in its broad portfolio is this juicy, zesty, boysenberry-inflected red, made with grapes grown in California’s Clarksburg region."
http://www.foodandwine.com/monthly/?show=articles&pageid=2008_04
Napa Valley Register, November 16, 2007
"Wines for Turkey and Cranberry Sauce"
"Established a decade ago by college chums Richard Bruno and Chris Condos, Napa’s Vinum is producing a couple of outstanding wines made from Yolo County fruit. In addition to its chenin blanc, there’s this outstanding royal plum-colored treasure that’s ideal for turkey and cranberry sauce. Plums and cranberries explode in the mouth and there’s a wash of smoky blueberry on the finish. A choice expression of this grape variety from the Wilson Vineyard in Clarksburg, it’s a wine to keep on hand for meals other than Thanksgiving."
Food & Wine Magazine, April 2007
50 Wines You Can Trust
" [A] juicy, smoky classic of the form."
Wine Spectator, March, 2007
"A tame yet rich and polished young Petite, with attractive floral notes and plum and black cherry fruit. Approachable now. Drink now through 2009" - J.L.
2003
Wine Spectator, Jan 31 - Feb 28, 2005
90 Points
"A delicious wine that delivers a ripe concentrated core of pomegranate, blueberry and cola flavors. Fresh sage and mocha notes from toasty oak fold into firm, gripping tannins on the cedary finish. Drink now through 2008." - J.L.
The New York Times, Jan 5, 2005
Top 10 Petite Sirahs for 2004
BEST VALUE
2002
Wine & Spirits, Holiday issue 2004
90 Points
"This wine had an exciting bright purple color according to two panel members. Tasters enjoyed aromas of rich, dark fruit, cocoa, leather and subtle earthy notes. This wine had flavors of rich, ripe dark berry fruit, spicy black pepper and excellent balance among acid, fruit and tannin. It had a pleasant, smooth mouthfeel and finished full of berries."
The Wine Report, May/June 2004
Top 50 wines for 2004
2001
Wine Spectator, October 2002
90 Points
"Dense and dark, with layers of cassis, ripe plum, blueberry, black cherry extract and meaty wet clay flavors. There's plenty of well-intergrated toasty oak and round tannin providing structure through the intense, hot and lush finish. Drink now through 2007." - J.L.
Winemakers
Richard Bruno
Chris Condos
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WINE SPECTATOR Tasting Highlights:
"A dozen big Golden State REDS that won't take a big toll on your wallet"
MaryAnn Worobiec @ www.winespectator.com
Posted: Monday, June 22, 2009
VINUM CELLARS
2007 PETS, Petite Sirah
"Two labels stood out from the pack when the bags came off in our blind tasting, including the PETS bottling from Vinum. "Pets" is an old nickname of Petite Sirah, and the bold black- and red-lettered label states that a portion of the profits from the sale of this wine will be donated to a San Francisco SPCA animal-shelter fund."