Not fancy, but certainly fun, this Daily Drinker is available at almost any major grocer. So pick up a bottle and sip and savor Francis Coppola’s Diamond Edition Plum Label 2013 Petite Sirah with me. Cheers!
About the Wine: As the name implies, the petite sirah grape is quite tiny and comes in tight clusters, contributing to the concentration of texture and flavor. For this reason, most winemakers will use petite sirah as a component to a red blend. However, according to the winery, the Diamond Collection Plum Label Petite Sirah was pressed gently during the winemaking process to avoid the abundant tannins typical to this varietal. The other benefit to this gentle touch is a much more delicate sirah that does not need to age to be enjoyed. Hence, the 2013 is ready to drink today.
This deep purple-hued wine is made from 100% petite sirah grapes from a variety of warm, California appellations including Lodi, Paso Robles, and Dry Creek Valley. 13.6% ABV
Flavor Profile: Upon opening the bottle, you will immediately be immersed in the smell of dark berries. Specifically (to my nose) very ripe (almost over ripe) blueberries. Secondary aromas include plum and a hint of oak. On the palate, the wine is definitely dark fruit forward at first — that super ripe blueberry goes from nose to tongue, giving the wine an enjoyable funkiness. But right alongside that funk, the Coppola maintains solid notes of anise, currents, raisins, and other juicy but dried fruits.
I would say the acid level is quite low — and that’s where you’d want it for a wine of this caliber because any more would be distracting. The tannins, on the other hand, are medium to medium-high: although they may not be detected right away, there is a dryness that lingers on the back of the palate after swallowing.
Food Pairing: The combination of the deep, dark flavors of the wine, along with it’s tannin level, means that this wine is a wine meant to hang out with the right food. I highly recommend pairing this wine with a richer, fattier meat like pork or chicken thigh, which will cut through the bit of dryness from the wine. Additionally, I would say that when preparing your protein, choose a sauce with some sweetness (like a generic barbecue sauce or brown sugar-based marinade) which will pull out the rich fruity flavors along with an essence of vanilla and baking spices that are very much in the background otherwise. Lastly, I would highly recommend enjoying a blue cheese with this wine. The stank from the cheese is perfect for that funk in the wine.
(Note: Do not pair this wine with bitter greens like kale, brussel sprouts, or even spinach, as the bitterness from those greens will pull the tannins to the front. Also, do not pair this wine with a fruit or vegetable that is overly acidic, like onion or green apples, as this messes with the acid balance in the wine as well. Think calm and collected when choosing side dishes.)
More Info: Learn more about Francis Ford Coppola, his wine adventures, and purchase wines directly on his site. I purchased this specific wine at Safeway (Sale Price: $13.99).
