WINEof theWEEK

     Two Petite Sirah’s     

EOS 

Petite Sirah 

Paso Robles (California)  2005 

$17.99   

EOS “Lost Angel” 

Petite Sirah Central Coast (California) 2006 

$11.99   

Every year there’s a new grape varietal that everyone is talking about and has to have.  Last year it was Malbec and Voignier.  In 2008, we’re finding more and more wine fans gravitating toward Petite Sirah.  This inky and fruit forward grape is easy drinking and just plain fun.  We are featuring two Petite Sirah’s from EOS in this review and will taste both wines on Saturday.  For more on Petite Sirah, check out the Wine 101 feature below.   In Greek mythology, Eos, the goddess of dawn, was sister to Helios (sun) and Selene (moon). She was the mother to the four winds: Boreas, Eurus, Zephyrus and Notus, and also of Heosphurus and the Stars. She was believed to open the gates of heaven every morning to the chariot of the Sun. Eos earned the wrath of Aphrodite by having a romantic fling with Ares. One of Eos’ lovers was Orion, and the “Orion’s Belt” constellation appears on the EOS Estate label. The EOS Estate Vineyards are located in the Paso Robles Appellation, in Paso Robles, California. Located midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, and approximately 15 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean, Paso Robles is a significant part of the noteworthy Central Coast wine-growing region. Currently, EOS has nearly 700 acres planted, with more plantings planned over the next several years.  There are two primary soil groups in the EOS Estate Vineyards, each typical of those identified on terraces. The first is the Arbuckle-Positas-San Ysidro group, which is characterized by very deep, nearly level to hilly, moderately well drained and well drained fine sandy loams, coarse loams, and loams. The second group is the Nacimiento-Ayar group. Characterized by moderately deep, strongly sloping to steep, well drained silty clay loams and silty clay.  The weather in the region is excellent for growing wine grapes. The first rains arrive in late October to early November, with the heavy rains falling in February or March. The winter temperatures tend to stay at or above freezing, and summer temperatures can climb into the 110 degree zone. Although it gets extremely hot, the nights in the summer months cool by as much as a 50 degrees. This is due to the marine layer and cool ocean breeze that moves across the area following sunset.   2005 EOS Petite Sirah Traditional aromas of black pepper, cherry, blackberry and spice are layered in this 2005 release of Petite Sirah. Bright, luscious flavors of black currant and boysenberry highlight this silky-smooth wine, which finishes long and gracefully with hints of mocha, cake spice and vanilla oak. Serve at 60 degrees with soy and ginger marinated duck with cumin and fresh cilantro.  The big boysenberry fruit will stand up to the sharp Asian flavors in the marinade.   2006 Lost Angel Petite Sirah Bright fruit characters open up on the palate with floral notes filling in the edges. Beautiful nose of raspberries, blackberries, and cherries balanced by rose petals and lilacs. A medium bodied finish of warm spice, oak and tobacco.  This Petite Sirah is a bit lighter than the single vineyard EOS, but still packs a punch with its intense fruit. Serve this dark berry-flavored wine with chipotle marinated pork tenderloin with a balsamic vinegar reduction sauce. We’ll taste both Petite Sirah’s on Saturday August 16th from 3pm to 6pm. We hope to see you on Saturday to see what all the fuss is about.