The 2009 Peirano Vineyards The Unknown is a blend of 70% Syrah, 20% Petite Sirah, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, along with 5% Viognier sourced from their Estate vineyard in the Lodi AVA of California. Viognier is a white wine grape, it is used to put a “shine” on the fruit flavors and add some structure, though they did not need it here, white wine grapes can intensify the color of red wine. Peirano Vineyards is a 4th generation family owned winery and the Unknown was developed to showcase some of the newer grape varietals the vineyard now produces, along with grapes that have been apart of the vineyard since the beginning. This wine was aged in both French and American oak barrels and the alcohol content is 13.8%.
The color is a dark, mellow, plum red. The nose is red fruit mixed with dark berries, along with a touch of spice. This is a wine with lush, rich flavors, but does not go into the realm of a “fruit bomb,” it shows some decent balance. It tastes of blueberry, sweet cherries, extracted blackberry and licorice. The mid-palate brings some Starbucks Venti Mocha and soft plums. The tannins are sweet and stay out of the way and the acidity is well balanced, this is a wine that will pair well with a wide variety of dishes. The finish is full and lasts a respectable length of time.
The 2009 The Unknown is a tasty, versatile Red blend. Inexpensive (you should be able to find it for $10 to $15), rich and delicious, with a good supply of balance and structure. It costs like a tuesday night wine, but drinks like a Saturday night wine.
