WINE WEDNESDAY: J. Scott Cellars 2010 Petite Sirah, Rogue Valley
Yawn. Rogue Valley is SO tired of hearing about its northern neighbors and is no longer staying quiet by making lively, dynamic wines from southern Oregon. From Eugene comes J. Scott Cellars, a producer that geographically sits between both worlds and demands respect for either region by making terroir-driven wines like the almost audible 2010 Petite Sirah from Rogue Valley. Loud and proud, dense and inky, this varietal is obscure to the Northwest and Oregon alike and is neither Petite nor akin to Syrah. Like Rogue Valley itself, this Petite Sirah is distinctive and young, with tight aromas of blackberry jam, blueberry pie and cooking spices. The palate is satiated with chewy tannins, deep berry fruit and plenty of attitude.
