2022 L.A. Cetto Petite Sirah, Baja California, Mexico (Alcohol 14%, Residual Sugar 2 g/l) LCBO Vintages $14.95 (750ml glass bottle)
This Petite Sirah (a cross betwixt Syrah and Peloursin) has been a regular on the LCBO Vintage’s shelves for decades now. Founded way back in 1928 in the Guadalupe Valley, L.A. Cetto is now the largest wine producer in Baja California.
I recall it always overdelivering at a very accessible price point, but it had been many, many years since I had last tasted a bottle, so when I spied this wine in its new livery, I simply had to grab one and check it out.
I’ll have to admit that the wine didn’t give me the same joy that it once did.
Reflecting back over my past experiences, I came to realise that it was less the wine that had changed and more my own palate that had evolved since I last tasted this particular Petite Sirah. I was no longer craving the ripe, warm fruit explosion that this wine has in spades. Don’t get me wrong, this is by no means a terrible wine, just a wine far removed from the styles I gravitate towards today.
It’s a pretty damn robust wine, the glass simply brimming with ripe, dark berry fruits buffered by nuances of smokiness, cracked pepper, and a touch of super-ripe red fruits (strawberry/raspberry). In the mouth, the wine is incredibly generous, especially considering the price, so it’s a no-brainer for someone who loves fuller wines but is on a serious budget. There’s some tannin present, but they are extremely soft and supple and won’t frighten the horses.
The old stalwart still delivers, and with such an appealing sticker price, it’s certainly still worth recommending for those looking for more full-bodied wines without blowing the bank, even if it’s not quite my cup of tea these days.
(Three and a half out of a possible five apples)
