Nina’s has an oaky nose with roasted, nutty aromatics, and in flavor just teeters over the acceptable brink of enjoyable intensity. Lots of baked plum that’s quite nice. ——V.B.(2/1/2012)—— 87

From one of Livermore’s oldest producers, a small-production Petite Sirah, one of their specialties, all from an estate vineyard planted 40 years ago, this wine is super dark purple in color, very earthy, with nice chocolate and delicate fruit interspersed among the dusty tannins. Pretty and interesting. ——V.B.(5/1/2011)—— 87

Petite Sirah is to California what Malbec is to Argentina. It’s the state’s big, flamboyantly full-bodied red, the go-to wine for beef. And this is a lovely Petite Sirah. It’s dry and tannic, with rich flavors of blackberries, black currants and unsweetened chocolate, and earthy notes of sauteed mushrooms, soy sauce and leather. Now–2014.——S.H.(12/15/2009)—— 90