BOGLE PETITE SIRAH
California 2003 ($9): one of California’s most consistent, high-value wines from any grape comes through again with abundant blackberries and blueberries balanced with toasted oak and ripe tannins.

FOPPIANO PETITE SIRAH
Russian River Valley Bacigalupi Vineyard 2002 ($17): this very well behaved wine shows Petite in a traditional light, with plush dark fruit and bright acidity, enough oak to keep things spicy, and a smooth finish.

LOLONIS PETITE SIRAH
Redwood Valley “Orpheus” 2002 ($35): creamy black fruit aromas give way to more incisive, juicy, and coffee-laced flavors plus tooth-coating tannins in the mid-palate; best to age a few years or decant for current drinking.

MCMANIS PETITE SIRAH
California 2003 ($10): Opulent, fruity aromas become even richer, chocolatey flavors of black plums and cherries in your mouth, and the wine remains juicy and sweet even as it picks up structure toward the finish. Excellent value.

TRENTADUE PETITE SIRAH
Alexander Valley 2002 ($28): tastes more like an earthy, meaty Syrah than Petite Sirah (it’s 25% Syrah), but the monolith of ripe, cushy tannins and mellow mid-palate prove it’s Petite.

VINA ROBLES PETITE SIRAH
Paso Robles “Jardine” 2002 ($26): aromatically rich and fruity, with citrus accents sparkling out of blackberries and plums; in your mouth it adds a bit of earth to soften the tannins and the warm finish.