The 2009 PETITE SIRAH – ZINFANDEL RESERVE is 80% Petite Sirah, the rest Zinfandel, aged for 8 months in American oak. This is always a fun-to-drink wine in Recanati’s lineup. I think I had a preference for the last version reviewed, but this is pretty nice, too. It manages to be bright and gripping, elegant in the mid-palate and keep the oak well under control. It develops a little character with air, more than I thought it had. It always has a bit more tannin that you think on first taste and enough of a backbone to support some aging in the cellar. I think it will still show better young given the balance between tannin and fruit (and when I’ve gone back to older versions, 5 years or so seems about right for safety), but it is well enough constructed so that it always has a chance of hanging on if you like wines with some maturity. Drink now-2016. The Recanati ‘08s (some of which have been previously reviewed) will not be imported into the USA, the importer advises, in that it is a Shmitta year (see the short article at connected with this issue). Recanati’s interesting wines tend to start with the Reserves. The Diamond Label series is well priced and pleasant enough, but limited in structure and concentration. In fairness, there is a limit to what you can ask of wines in that price range, but assume that brand level is for immediate consumption and uncomplicated drinking. The name comes from the Diamond icon on the label, pointing at the Recanati name.Importer: Palm Bay International, Port Washington, N.Y.; tel: (516) 721-5123.

A heady, woody and earthy offering from Recanati that offers loads of bramble, dark cherry and black plum aromas and flavors. Fresh and vibrant with a juicy core livening up the medium-weight mouth. Cherry skins and fresh coffee stay through the close. Very drinkable and a versatile food pairing wine. ——L.B.(4/1/2011)—— 87