Peltier Station Lodi Appellation Petite Sirah 2005

The award winning 2005 Peltier Station Petite Sirah was grown in a vineyard in the Lodi Appellation of South Sacramento County, an area of long, hot, sunny days tempered by the Delta Breeze. Here, the sun worshiping Petite Sirah thrives in the appellation's clay soil. Born under ideal conditions, the 2005 Peltier Station Petite Sirah has yielded an intense wine with an opaque purple robe; an aromatic bouquet of blackberry jam, cedar, and forest woodlands; and a voluptuous center. In the mouth, the 2005 Peltier Station Petite Sirah is nearly staggering in its concentration. However, it is never hot, nor weighty, in spite of a whopping 14.8% alcohol by volume. Again, black fruits and deep down woodsy flavors dominate the palate profile and finish of this well balanced effort. Considering the concentration and youth of this wine, we suggest opening the 2005 Peltier Station Petite Sirah at least one hour before consumption. And for maximum enjoyment, 55°-65° F would be the ideal temperature range when serving this blockbuster first release from Peltier Station. Enjoy!

While light and delicate wines often require simple, elegant fare in order for the wine not to be overshadowed by the food, we need not worry about that scenario with the 2005 Peltier Station Petite Sirah. In fact, this wine's motto could easily be "The bigger the better" when it comes to accompaniments. Rich stews, hearty pastas, grilled Italian sausage and peppers, and game all provide excellent choices to complement this Petite Sirah. Venison tenderloin, served in a savory brown sauce; pressed duck, prepared with a blackberry glaze; and Flat Iron Steak, topped with balsamic caramelized onions, brie cheese over collard greens or broccoli rob, and garlic mashed potatoes offer savory, full-throttle choices to pair with JC van Staden's premier wine for Peltier Station. Most southern Italian favorites, such as manicotti, spaghetti with meat balls, or a heady antipasto with smoked meats and hard cheeses, offer other fine choices.

Looking west, one can imagine the old grape packing sheds that once graced the tracks alongside Peltier Road. From the nearby station, thousands of tons of purple and white grapes departed in the "old days" for local wineries and the cellars of countless home winemakers. Today, Peltier Station creates premium wines from the grapes which were once shipped eastward via the rusty old railroad tracks. Owned and run by Rodney and Gayla Schatz, Peltier Station is one of the brightest new stars in the resuscitated Lodi Appellation. Rodney and Gayla Schatz began Peltier Station Winery in 2002 with their first crush at the winery. They grow grapes and produce wine for numerous well-known wineries, both large and small. In addition, they craft a small number of cases under their own name, with their most notable wine being the Peltier Station Petite Sirah. Rodney Schatz hails from a tradition of grape growing families. His grandparents on both sides (the Marengo and Schatz families) were established growers in the 1950s, and Rodney and his wife Gayla have decided to expand on that tradition. In addition to cultivating some of Lodi's finest fruit, they now make their own wine from estate grown grapes with the help of JC van Staden, a gifted young winemaker. JC van Staden is a very talented winemaker whose experience comes from growing up on a farm in South Africa and working with a number of prominent wineries in South Africa, France, and the United States in order to hone his craft, before coming to Peltier Station. The 2005 Peltier Station Petite Sirah is JC's first attempt for Peltier Station, and what an entrée he has served. The 2005 Petite Sirah won gold medal, best of class, and best of region winner awards at the prestigious California State Fair Wine Competition. However, this is not JC's first award, nor will it likely be his last. Moreover, given the performance of the 2005 Petite Sirah, look for JC's future to be at least as bright as the award winning wines he has created.