Hey Bud its Waltzing Bear Petit Sirah

Petit Sirah is a varietal often used in blending to add structure and complexity to other wines, and one I find challenging to truly enjoy bottled on its own. Ending a long streak of disappointment, I can fully endorse the 2004 Waltzing Bear "Bud" Petit Sirah. This wine is sourced from French Camp Vineyard in San Luis Obispo County and retails for around $28- $32.

I got to catch up with the winemaker, Brad Lowman, recently. Talking with Brad had reminded me how much I loved his Petit Sirah at the ABC Open House at Tantara earlier this year . We picked up a bottle of "Bud" Petit Sirah after the event.

Bud is named after Brad's father who is a big Petit Sirah fan, and according to Brad, the winemaker: "When I first made this wine in 2004, it was for my dad "Bud" who loves Petite Sirah (and Zinfandel), who had been teasing me, asking when I was going to finally make something he would enjoy. When we bottled it last fall, he and mom came down to help, not knowing his name was going to be on it. I presented him with the first bottle (a magnum), thinking it would bring him to tears. But instead it was mom that cried and my dad takes a bottle of it with him to most restaurants to show off what his "kid" made for him."

When we opened up the bottle of the Waltzing Bear Bud 2004 Petit Sirah, we were not disappointed. Passion inspiring wine made by a son for his father, it will bring a smile to your face.

Tasting Notes:
The wine was dark but not as inky as many Petit Sirah's. This is a plus in my book, since this wine was well rounded wine on the palate and not flabby with that abrupt astringent finish I find often Petit Sirah's. A lovely nose of black cherry and a touch of vanilla emerged from the glass. Upon tasting, fantastic velvety mouths feel with a judicious amount of juicy cherry fruit and vanilla. A sumptuous, seductive wine meant for a great occasion. Pair this Petit with red meat or dark chocolate. This wine was aged in French oak and babied like it was Pinot Noir. I commend the fantastic tannin management for this sometimes challenging varietal.

Read more about this wine and others at West Coast Wine Country Adventures