With the exception of the Heritage Clones cuvee, Rosenblum Cellars’ Petite Sirahs are all inky/purple-colored. The Rhodes Vineyard is a wine of unbridled richness, huge tannins, massive fruit, earth, purity, and loads of blackberry, blueberry, incense, and graphite characteristics. The 2005 Petite Sirah Rhodes Vineyard is excruciatingly tannic at present, but there is plenty of density. It was the most difficult cuvee to evaluate because of its high tannin and closed personality.The ever reliable Kent Rosenblum continues to turn out a portfolio of delicious Zinfandels. Along with Napa’s Biale family and a short list of other North Coast producers, Rosenblum Cellars is as good as it gets when it comes to Zinfandel. Petite Sirah may be California’s most underrated wine, especially when it comes to aging potential. It will never possess the complexity of a top Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon, but it can age effortlessly for two decades or more. I still have some Petite Sirahs from the early seventies in my cellar, and they remain delicious wines.Tel. (510) 865-7007