Winery: F Stephen Millier

Vintage: 2017

Wine Name/Vineyard: Angel’s Reserve

Wine Category: Petite Sirah

Grape blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Lodi

State or country: California

Price: $18.99

ABV: 13.5%

Cases produced: N/A

The Barrel Cellar Score:  86 points

Review date: May 28, 2019

About the Winemaker:  Spending years as a head winemaker at a small but successful California winery, F Stephen Millier wanted to produce his own wines, so, he did. This Petite Sirah from Lodi is one of a variety of labels bearing his name.  His wines are sold through Nakedwines.com

Color:  Deep purple

Nose:  Cranberry, burnt sugar

Taste:  Cloves, cherry, sage, raisin, cranberry, ripened plum, and black pepper. Finish: Baking spice, vanilla and a hint of crab apple.

Assessment:  At first taste, this inky Petite Sirah seemed both sweet and dry, similar to an Amarone.  The initially dominant character on the palate consist of raisin and bold tannins.  To be clear this isn’t a sweet wine.  After it breathed a bit, the raisin flavor subsided and some nice acidity rose to match the tannic character.  Somewhat typical of a California Petite Sirah, it’s jammy, bold, and full bodied. This wine evolves after opening revealing a variety of flavor notes.  Ready to drink now but could hold up to more time in the bottle.

This wine is a fair value at $18.99 (buy here), but you also purchase at much less expense by using the offer I have for you below.

Pairing recommendation:  Extra Sharp Cheddar or a charcoal grilled burger.

F. Stephen Millier 2017 Petite Sirah is a good wine.  86 points