For every dish, there is probably one
perfect wine – but for most of us, life is too short to figure out what it is.” - quote from What to Drink with What You Eat
I
was pouring wines for a distributor a few years ago at an outdoor event and
women kept coming back to my table asking for “the elephant wine.” Of course,
they were referring to Michael David’s Petite Petit. They liked the wine, that
much was certain. But they were initially attracted to it by the label design. This
is not something I guessed at. They told me so. They talked between themselves,
and to me, saying “how cute the label is.” Michael David winery is indeed
skillful at branding, using catchy names and label designs. They also produce,
for example, 7 Deadly Zins, Lust Zinfandel, Comedylicious 2, and Freakshow Cab.
Fairness requires I mention they produce
many wines, most with more traditional labeling and all at budget-friendly
prices: nine reds (as of this writing) and with an average price under $18 U.S.
O.K.,
so I’m a traditionalist: not a fan of
new and trendy labels. I recall one wine (from a different winery) with a name
that was such a gross double entendre
that, although the wine itself was pretty good, I would never buy it on
principle. As with some celebrity branded wines, I resent being played by people that have
more confidence in the skill of their marketing than they do in the skill of
their wine making.
That,
however, is NOT the case with Michael David’s Petitt Petit. The label is not
offensive, just “cute.” The name also makes
perfect sense (85% Petite Sirah and 15% Petit Verdot). And, as for the bottle’s
content, I don’t think this wine has ever gotten a bad review. Nor is it new to
me. I’ve been buying it for years and consider it a staple. It’s delicious by
itself and it’s food friendly too. And if the “cute” label spurs sales, and
sales keep the price down, maybe it’s time I become a little less stuffy.
From
its start in the glass, this squid-ink, opaque, deep purple wine alerts your
senses that you’re in for a serious experience. No, not the type of wine you agonize
with in viticultural psychoanalysis; the type that requires years of study to
describe so that other wine “snobs” will be impressed. No, this wine is simply
and immediately pleasurable. Juicy black plum, sweet black cherry and violet entice
the nose. The wine is rich, luscious and mouth filling. Threads of smoke attach
to the black fruit on the palate. The finish develops some sweetness and heat
(14.5% Alc.), building interest. Twelve
months in French oak adds tertiary notes of vanilla, toast and chocolate but
weaved into and not overpowering the juice. Tannins give the wine substance but
are fine. Frankly, this wine over
delivers. Consistently.
Most
recently, I paired this wine with grilled loin chops of New Zealand lamb
accompanied by roasted potatoes and eggplant roasted then cooked with skinned
tomatoes. It was a perfect pairing. But I have enjoyed this wine several times
with other dishes. I don’t remember the meals, but I do remember the wine.
Grapes
are sourced from the Lodi AVA in Central California and the Michael David Winery
produces 80,000 cases of Petitt Petit yearly. Given that the wine is 85% Petite
Sirah, that’s a serious chunk of Lodi’s Petite Sirah fruit. It’s also a seriously
tasty wine and seriously in demand by consumers who know value. (I paid $16).
No doubt the number of units of production keep the cost per unit down
(this from an Econ guy). But it’s the
quality of each unit made vintage after vintage that drives consumer demand. Drink
now through the next 5-7 years.
Cheers!
…………………………
Jim
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TECH SPECS
Vintage: 2013
Varietal: 85% Petite Sirah
15% Petit Verdot
Alc: 14.5%
pH: 3.58
T.A.: 0.61g/100ml
Ratings: 92 Wine Enthusiast
90 Robert Parker
Michael
David Winery
4580
West Hwy 12
Lodi
CA 95242
Ph:
1-888-707-WINE
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