Wine Tasting Note: L A Cetto Petite Sirah, 2005, Baja California, Mexico
Posted on December 12, 2007 by Andrew Barrow in Wine Notes
Many moons ago I ran, rather successfully I should add, a little wine merchants for a now defunct chain. One of the first wines I recall that caused a storm – in terms of sales and discussion – was an unknown red from Mexico of all places.I am sure it won some sort of Best Wine of the Year award at the International Wine Challenge which caused the sudden increase in sales. It was a long time ago, so long in fact I can’t remember if the retail price was £3.99 or £4.99 and I fail to remember if it was the Cabernet Sauvignon or Petite Sirah bottle that won.
I mention all this as, in a brief hunt for a bottle of Petite Sirah for this months Wine Blogging Wednesday, I found a bottle of that very same Mexican wine in Waitrose. Not the same vintage, of course, and now sporting a more modern label but great to see the wine still kicking around.
Wine Tasting Note: L A Cetto Petite Sirah, 2004, Baja California, Mexico.Available from Waitrose for £5.49.
One of the deepest coloured reds I have seen – opaque, but young with a vibrant purple rim. Lovely perfumed edge to the aroma. Palate is big, flavoursome and ripe. An interesting rustic edge leeds the finish with an inky, dry, well rounded. Needs some substantial foods. Alcohol 14.5%.
Scribblings Rating – 88/100 [3.5 out of 5]
This wasn’t intended to be my WBW entry. I have a little wine order with Cooden Cellars on its way to me that has, what I hope, a fine example of Durif/Petit Sirah.
Scribbles on Photos
Sonadora says:
Post Author 12/12/2007 at 11:37 pmThanks for participating Andrew. I can’t say that I’ve ever had a wine from Mexico! Sounds like a fairly good value for the price. Hopefully the Durif on its way will be a success for you!
Dale Cruse says:
Post Author 13/12/2007 at 12:03 amThis is a great review and it sounds like you enjoyed your Petite Sirah more than I enjoyed mine. http://www.DrinksAreOnMe.net
Joe says:
Post Author 13/12/2007 at 8:23 pmLooks like we both found the same bottle of Mexican (odd that the Brit and the Canuck found the Mexican petite sirah)! I am confused – the picture and title say ’05, but your note says ’04? Cheers! (PS – I had a Durif as well)
Andrew says:
Post Author 13/12/2007 at 9:26 pmbugger… ’05..’04… it should of course be the 2005 of which I write… good spotting my Canuck friend.
San Francisco Photos says:
Post Author 18/12/2007 at 1:31 amSounds like a good one … I definitely like to try it!
Suzy says:
Post Author 25/12/2007 at 5:08 pmLA cetto is beautiful wine. Managed to taste a 2002 and for the price, it was absolutely superb.
Wine ‘buff’ friends of mine, scoffed when I mentioned the wine was mexican, but soon changed their mind when they tasted it ! !
Sean says:
Post Author 02/01/2008 at 2:48 pmHi,
I’ve also had the 2005 La Cetto and agree that it would benefit from a substantial meal. I served it with Habeas Brûlée’s Pomegranate Ginger Saffron Braised Lamb Neck.
She’s a great food blogger and her dish was really good match. I might even try it with Chicken Mole. (That might be a really good match actually.)
Robert L Donnell says:
Post Author 11/02/2008 at 5:55 amLa Cetto is a good table wine. It represents the highest volume business in the Valle de Guadalupe. Please take a taste of Casa de Piedra and other boutique wineries.
Robert
Ron says:
Post Author 27/07/2008 at 1:34 amI live here in Baja California and we make frequent trips down to LA Cetto winery which is located in the beautiful Guadalupe Valley just above the port city of Ensenada about a half hours drive. The winery has a great story and whenever we have taken friends we have always enjoyed a great day.
Drop me a line if you would like to know more or see some photos…