Weekly Wine Review - California Red - 2013 Line Shack Winery Petite Sirah

San Antonio Valley is a relatively new "official" wine region (a.k.a. an AVA or American Viticultural Area) that has existed just since 2006 in Monterey County, California. A creation of a new AVA can denote a new area of grape growing or an area that has distinguished itself as being unique from a larger AVA that may have originally contained the area.  In this case, growers in the area believed that there were specific characteristics of the San Antonio Valley that set it apart (and perhaps even above) the larger Monterey County AVA.

Wine: 2013 Line Shack Winery Petite Sirah

Region: San Antonio Valley, California

Grape Varieties: Petite Sirah

Obtained from: Purchased at Total Wine & More

Price: $16

Wino4Life Category: Everyday Wine

Aeration before tasting: Just a swirl or two, no special aeration.

Cork Condition: Natural cork - no defects or issues.

Appearance: Clear, dark purple with a red rim.

Aroma: Red fruit and a nice earthy element, along with a little smoke. Maybe some cranberry or pomegranate after it opened up a bit.

Taste: Nice and fruity, nicely balanced with a fairly long finish.

The Grade: I give this one a B. A solid wine. I definitely see why this area deserved its own AVA.  I will be on the lookout for other San Antonio Valley wines!