So this is a little late in the publishing this wine review since it happened over the Labor Day weekend. I have had the bottle on the counter with my notes at the ready. But time kept marching on. Day after day, night after night, always with the best intention, just never happening. Now, tonight I feel the need to finally stop the dilly dally and tell all of you how great this vino was.
I first poured the wine into the glass and noticed the dark purple color, then you notice the aroma. Black raspberry, dark cherry, molasses, toasted cedar. The flavors start sweet and then get darker on the finish. This blend starts with blueberry pie, blackberry, sweet cinnamon, fresh fig, and fire roasted smoky oak, and savory dried black cherry.
It was a hot weekend. No not just hot, but humid and hot. When Big Daddy said he was firing up the grill I thought he had lost his mind! I stay out of the kitchen. He can be in there for hours. I do my stuff mainly outside, gardening, taking care of the chickens, seems that there is always a project to do. I like it, pretty cathartic. Big Daddy feels the same in the kitchen. Well apparently while I was doing my "thing", he was inside doing his. Preparing what would be a fantastic meal that paired wonderfully with this vino!
Big Daddy had roasted baby ribs on the grill. They were slow roasted then grilled with a nice sauce. Served with fresh corn on the cob, baked potatoes and tomato salad. For dessert, the chocolate cake with extra special frosting was a spectacular treat. Let me tell you, the wine did great with ALL OF THEM!
According to the winemaker, you may also pair this vino with wild game; venison stew over wide pasta noodles, braised rabbit with roasted fennel and parsnips, or elk tenderloin with a blackberry molasses drizzle with roasted red potatoes. Or try with sausage lasagna, lamb gyros, or exotic mushrooms in an oyster sauce over jasmine rice.
I think though that this wine can be enjoyed with whatever you like.
Here are the winemaker notes from TOG:
Every year, I get to blend this wonderful Petite Sirah and it always makes me happy. The combination of Petite Sirah blocks from Lodi, Mendocino, Clarksburg, and Paso Robles makes for a sound wine. Even though the 2011 vintage was cool, we were still able to get some very ripe fruit and old vine characteristics from the warm growing districts of Lodi and Paso Robles. We paired this with some cooler climate Petite Sirah in Mendocino and Clarksburg to give the blend structure and depth. A little Merlot from Clarksburg for softness and black fruit and Tannat from Paso Robles for color were both ay, dded to round out this blend. At the end of the day, our Pennywise Petite Sirah always makes me happy. I hope it makes you happy too.
Yes, another great wine from the great folks at TOG wines. They know what they are doing. They have such great wines and even greater prices. Pick up some, let me know what you think. For about $12.00 a bottle, stock up! This vino definitely
MADE THE PIG JUMP OVER THE MOON!
Big Daddy began the process a day earlier brining "the bird" in a mix of salt and apple juice. Frankly, I had no idea that we had a pot that large! There the bird sat for 24 hours on the lower shelf of the refrigerator. Once it was drained, Big Daddy did some magical things with herbs and away she went to cook on the grill for next several hours. 
