The monster in the group is the 2007 Petite Sirah Somerston Vineyard. Inky/purple, with notes of graphite, licorice, incense, blueberry and spring flowers, this wine is remarkably civilized for Petite Sirah, with sweet tannin, lots of fruit, a full-bodied mouthfeel, but no hard edges. Given the anti-oxidative characteristics of this varietal, this wine will no doubt age for 20 or more years, but it can be drunk now.Tel. (707) 967-8414; www.priestranchwines.com

Shows Petite Sirah’s muscle power and Napa’s superbly ripe tannins to produce an ageworthy wine. Offers an explosion of wild blackberry, mulberry, olive tapenade, dark chocolate, black pepper and sandalwood flavors that are wrapped into dense tannins. Best around 2012.——S.H.(11/1/2009)—— 91