2021 3 Muses Cellars Lodi, California Petite Sirah

Wine geeks like to assert that there’s nothing petite about Petite Sirah. Historical references indicate that the variety was first grown in France around the middle of the 19th century. It was loved by winemakers for its extraordinarily deep color and big, bold fruit flavors.

Yet despite its popularity, Petite Sirah never was made in large quantities, as varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot took center stage in France. Worldwide, fewer than 10,000 acres of vineyard land is devoted to Petite Sirah, with a vast majority found in California. The Golden State’s Lodi growing region, in particular, has become an important source of top-quality Petite Sirah.

Indeed, Lodi provided the fruit for the 2019 3 Muses Petite Sirah, a deeply hued, bold wine that coats the palate with its rich, spice-sprinkled fruit flavors that cascade into a long finish. It’s certain to be a favorite among wine geeks as well as the rest of us.