The Freemark Abbey 1979 York Creek Napa Valley Petite Sirah was
properly stored since release, the cork was sound, and the fill was
high in the neck. It is no lightweight, at 14.2% alcohol by volume.
The color is still very deep scarlet with a bit of brick around the
tiny bit of the rim you can see through. The bottle and cork bottom
had a heavy black crust with tartrate crystals. The parrot refused the
cork after one bite in the bottom of it, likely because the crust was
bitter. This must have been a tannic monster when young.

The wine is a bit warm from all of the alcohol. Add just a bit more
alcohol and sweetness, and it nearly could pass as a port style wine.
There is enough acid, the tannins are now resolved enough and of
medium quality, and there is still plenty of fruit - mixed dark fruits
and berries. There is a bit of spice and hint of pepper. If this wine
is not big enough for your meal, you likely will have to switch to
port. It likely will stand up to the strongest game you can stand. It
could also hold up to many off the stronger southern French and
Italian dishes with plenty of garlic and herbs. It is well balanced
for such an intense wine. It no doubt would stand out in most wine
tastings. However your reaction to how it stands out will depend on
how you react to this extreme style of wine. Some will like it, and
others will find it overbearing. My reaction is that it is a good
place to visit now and then, but not a place to live most of the time.

"cwdjrxyz" wrote in message
ups.com...
The parrot refused the
cork after one bite in the bottom of it, likely because the crust was
bitter.

What kind of parrot? Never thought of giving our African Grey a cork.


--
Joe Giorgianni
TheWho.org

"This guitar has seconds to live" Posters

On Feb 18, 8:36?pm, "cwdjrxyz" wrote:
If this wine
is not big enough for your meal, you likely will have to switch to
port.
My reaction is that it is a good
place to visit now and then, but not a place to live most of the time.

Two great lines. Nice note!

On Feb 19, 7:42 am, "Joe Giorgianni" wrote:
"cwdjrxyz" wrote in message

ups.com...

The parrot refused the
cork after one bite in the bottom of it, likely because the crust was
bitter.

What kind of parrot? Never thought of giving our African Grey a cork.

--
Joe Giorgianni

He is a 23 year old green cheek Amazon aka cherry head aka Mexican red
head. He loves to grind up corks into a pile of fragments. I cut off
the tops of corks that may have been in contact with metal foil
capsules, especially older lead ones.

__________________________________

http://wineFAQ.hostexcellence.com/