2006 Guenoc Lake County Petite Sirah

I cracked this reasonable $15 wine last night with pan-grilled brats and a sweet potato-fennel-yam gratin; they went well. The wine itself, usually an inky-black reflective of its grape, was a bit pale-rimmed. This was a probable reflection of the cooler, moister 2006 growing season in northern California, and it meant some different aromas and a lower alcohol for a Petite (13.5% abv). Still had the deep, bruised, purple fruits on both nose and palate, along with some fairly well integrated oak, but the tannins were surprising. You might give this another year or two in bottle, to see how it evolves, or let it breathe for an hour. It's ready, but I am curious to see how this evolves. There was a very pleasant mineral-graphite finish to this...
87/100.
Bottom line: One of the better Petite Sirahs at this price point.

2007 Black Mesa Petite Sirah

Three posts in one day? Ridiculous - finally opened and enjoyed a bottle of wine from New Mexico. I had bought a sampler pack at the Vivac Winery in Dixon, as well as two Petite Sirahs from Black Mesa Winery. I remain more impressed with the latter than the former - the Sangiovese and Nebbiolo from Vivac turned out to be limpid, clear around the glass, boring ass wine reminiscent of Chianti in the 1970s. Pretty horrid - so I've used them cooking (pasta, braising spinach). But this Black Mesa Petite is not bad at all, shooting mid-80s all the way around. There's a touch of heat on this, from the alcohol, at 15.2% ABV but once it blows off a bit, there's a tart, rich cranberry aspect to this wine that is easy to like. It is different from typical Petites, and probably not the apogee of varietal "typicite" but still....enjoyable. Look for it.
84/100.
Bottom Line: New Mexico's wines...redeemed.