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Rosenblum Cellars
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Wineries Food Wineries Event Planning & Services Venues & Event Spaces Wineries, Venues & Event Spaces [Edit]
250 Center StHealdsburg, CA 95448
(707) 431-1169
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 6 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Roger H. said: "Kevin Morrow makes one wine and very little of it. Cabernet Sauvignon. And your either gonna love it or hate it. I loved it. He's a one man show and you have to love his passion." read more »
39 reviews for Rosenblum Cellars
39 reviews in English
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Review from Chris P.
Lexington, KY
8/28/2011
I wish it was still here. It was so awesome... SO many wines to choose from and nothing bad. The single vineyard zins are off the hook.
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Review from Roy N.
6/1/2010
After countless wine tasting trips to Healdsburg and the wine country over the years, I've found that I just never seem to be able make it to Rosenblum Cellars in time before they close. Souverain moved earlier this year, but back when that was also on the plaza, I had a similar problem in that I never seemed to get there in time and only made it once before they moved.
Anyway, today was Tuesday, the first day after a long Memorial Day weekend which is usually the launch of the new summer wine tasting season. As such, it was early afternoon and yet the crazy crowds of the day before at most wineries was almost non-existent...now this is the way to go wine tasting!
After leaving Oakville Grocery, we popped into Rosenblum Cellars which just happens to be conveniently located next door and finally did had a chance to do some tasting. Great location and as always, Rosenblum had a definite red influence as they are known for their zins. Chuckled at some prerequisite "Give in to Zin" or "Forgive me for I have Zinned" shirts while browsing their gift area and also saw some great winery only deals on cases there.
I was very surprised to hear that Rosenblum Cellars is not part of the Fosters Group or Cellar 360 since I've definitely purchased their wine in the city there as well as had it included in my quarterly wine club shipment.
Also, I was happy to see bottles of Chateau La Paws at Rosenblum since I know that they do contribute a portion to animal charities. Apparently, Kent Rosenblum is an animal person and used to be a vet years ago. No, not that kind of vet...not army, a veterinarian! I've yet to have the opportunity to try that particular wine, so I can't vouch for its contents, but do think it's great that he was able to combine his passion for wine and animals.
Lastly, the person working behind the bar pouring wine today was super cool! Forgot to ask her name, but she was really great and we all had a wonderful conversation before others came in to taste. On top of all that, I found out that she used to live on the exact same street where I grew up many years ago. I almost fell over when she first told me that before I said anything about where. Small world. Would have stayed longer, but was driving and wanted to get to the next winery which was about 16 miles north in Cloverdale.
Will definitely be back! -
Review from Julianne C.
Sacramento, CA
Updated - 9/30/2010
CLOSED!
First, they scaled back all the yummy dessert wines. That was one of the things that set them apart from other tasting rooms. Then, they closed the Healdsburg location. Boo to you Rosenblum! No, I am not driving to Alameda for your wines. I am seriously disappointed. :(1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/14/2008
Located in Healdsburg square and close to lots of other shops and tasting rooms. Staff wasn't… Read more »
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Review from Jennifer L.
San Francisco, CA
4/27/2009
Not bad wines, but what is with the absentee pourers that wander off mid tasting? This was the second time this weekend.
Some fairly tasty wines that I would happily have again, some a bit too jammy, but not a bad stop. Someone ended up with a case of zin for a killer deal, I probably should've snuck a bottle out of the box when he wasn't looking. -
Review from carlos a.
1/18/2009 1 photo
Chocalate infused port: damn good.
That's the only thing I tried and loved it. I'm glad my friends flagged me down from across the street to taste at Rosenblum. -
Review from Tom D.
Washington, DC
6/20/2007
I prefer to go to their Alameda location -- they have open houses there and pour 60 plus wines......it's line wine porn -- totally over the top. Now that I think of it they should play porn music at the open houses......
Rosenblum is a must for anyone that is a fan of big (and at times TOO BIG), concentrated, inky wines...their zins are stellar -- but also really love their petite syrah and syrah as well.....and an open house is a must if you have the chance -- it is an event that will not be forgotten -- maybe a little hazy, but very memorable!
On my last trip to California I visited both locations -- loved them both for different reasons -- the Healdsburg location is next to the Oakville Market -- a must stop to purchase some of the limited production Zins....though I must say I do love their entry level Petite Sirah.Listed in: iso vino?
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Review from Joseph W.
Los Angeles, CA
7/1/2008
I'd love to just copy and paste the review I wrote for La Crema here as it's basically the same experience just with lesser wine. The staff were pretty rude and honestly kinda spacey (maybe sampling too much of the merchandise...), and we felt pretty ignored even though there were only a couple other people there and plenty of people working.
I LOVE how they donate a lot of money to animal charities, and bought their Cotes du Bone wines (ha. ha.) to support this cause, but nothing they poured really made much of an impact. They do mostly zinfandel, and I'm a HUGE zin fan, and yet everything seemed to be a little bitter on the back end and just too big with little to no integration. I had the reserve (or exclusive or whatever they call it) tasting and my wife had the regular one, and neither of us found anything we enjoyed.
If you like zinfandel and are in the area, don't waste your time - head over to Seghesio or Ridge - they know what they're doing and it's significantly less rude and corporate! -
Review from Fong L.
4/17/2006
Rosenblum doesn't really run their own vineyard, they just blend their own wines. As such, they are not limited by the grapes their own estate produces, and they wield this to great effect. They produce probably the best zins for the buck you can get. And BOY are they good. I can't remember the different vineyard names, but try them all, and pick you rown faves.
For dessert wines, they have a late harvest zin from their "rosie rabbit vineyard" that tastes of wild strawberries... amazingly delicious, and with great structure and a lasting finish as well.Listed in: So you wanna go to wine…
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Review from Eric H.
Healdsburg, CA
6/24/2011
Now replaced by Roadhouse Winery Pinot, and Spa Dolce, check em out!
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Review from Doug R.
12/28/2009
Rosenblum had the best red wines, and they seem to specialize in the Zinfandels.
I picked up a bottle of Zin from here that had a nice dark black cherry aftertaste. Definitely a unique complex flavor that is lacking in a lot of the California reds I encountered over the weekend (which were surprisingly dull, across Sonoma/Napa).
I didn't have a chance to try the dessert wines, but I heard awesome in person testimony from a guy trying the chocolate port (he shouted "WOW, this is f'n good" right in the middle of the tasting room, lol)
Maybe I'll have to come back for some of that chocolate port eh? Haha -
Review from Lora O.
Walnut Creek, CA
2/4/2009
Rosenblum offers really nice wines. The Zin I had here was my favorite of the day. I especially like that they are local- Alameda- and that they have a couple vintage's that refer to the founder's beginnings as a vet. Don't knock the Cote du Bone Rhone until you have tried it!
The tasting room was nice and roomy. They were displaying beautiful pieces of Pacific Northwest Indian art and that is one of my favorites, so that scored them another point. A great stop along the Healdsburg Square winery tastings. -
Review from Luke H.
1/26/2009
So chocolate infused port sounds a little cheesy, and I would agree that it is cheesy. But it takes me back to my childhood when we smoked our first chocolate cigars.
Those days are gone, but one sip of this over the top port, and you will yearn for the days when the fine things in life were still that cheap.
The tasting room is not the fine wine experience that you will find elsewhere, but stop here late (they close at 6pm) and your buzz will distract you from the lack of ambiance.
Tastings are $5-8 and come with two complimentary dessert wine servings. -
Review from John G.
9/12/2006
Just a small tasting room in Healdsburg, but worth the stop. Rosenblum is out of Alameda, and blends lots of different wines. Many varietals, and some you may have never heard of.
Every time we go, there is a unique wine we find at killer prices. Last time in Aug. it was a chardonnay for $7 a bottle. Tasted as good as some we have had at $30 and $40 a bottle. -
Review from Ann L.
12/8/2007
Since it was across the street from where we parked, and next to the Healdsburg Police Station it was worth going. It's just a tasting room that has 6 tasting for FREE you can get, Reserved tastings are $5.
We only tried 3:
1. 2005 Syrah, Hillside Vineyard, Sonoma. Smoky blackberry, white pepper w/ hints of cassis & anise. A bottle is $25. Just ok to me.
2. 2004 late Harvest Zinfandel, Rosie Rabbit - a Dessert wine $18 a bottle. Nice, though I like dessert wines in general.
3. NV Desiree Chocolate dessert wine - $18 bottle. I had it w/ a dark chocolate Dove candy bar so I couldn't really taste it.
One unisex bathrooms available. -
Review from Natalye S.
1/25/2009
I was initially put off upon arriving here - I had called ahead of time to find out hours and tasting fees and the person on the phone told me that the first three tastings were complimentary. However, as we entered later in the afternoon, the person helping us tried to charge us a fee. I explained what I had been told earlier and he told me that I was wrong. So, either an employee is misinformed and the policy had changed or we were being treated dismissively due to our young age and appearance. Still, I caught sight of a mention that Sonoma County residents (which we are) taste for free, and once we informed the man, his attitude changed almost immediately.
We tried maybe half the wines being served and they were delicious - so delicious in fact, that we ended up joined the wine club and buying three bottles on the spot. For the person normally put off by wine in favour of sweeter tasting things, this is the place to go. All of the dessert wines were phenomenal, the specialty animal blend (not made of animals, rather sold to benefit animals) was amazing and even the regular wines were savory and flavourful. I am stoked to visit the Alameda room now too, and can't wait for our first shipment! -
Review from Irene S.
Castro Valley, CA
5/17/2010
I can only say that this was not one of my better times in a wine tasting room. I've got a pretty darn good palate. Wine tasting rooms are places of hospitality.
The girl pouring for us was pleasant. She could do a little better by naming the wine by the vineyard names - which most of the old Rosenblum fans know the multiple zinfandel wines by instead of by the grape growing regions. She also got a little confused between Syrahs and Petite Sirahs. To Pet fans, there is a HUGE difference between Petites and Syrahs. But ok, maybe she's still learning.
So, in one of the tastings - of a vineyard designate that I am extremely familiar with, I experience a "mushroom" taste/aroma. It was very distinct to me. Our pourer sniff checked and tasted, and had a quizzical face, but another pourer walked by and quite loudly stated "It's fine - it's NOT corked".
I never said it was corked. I have to say though... maybe that other pourer was "corked". I have been drinking / tasting fine wines much longer than that second pourer had been alive. I bought some wine.. but I left with "a bad taste in my mouth". -
Review from Tracy A.
Oakland, CA
10/27/2007
One of the tasting room attendants got really freaked out by our large group of 16. We were not just here to taste but several in our group are serous buyers of wine as well. I didn't buy any for myself but I did enjoy tasting everything they had to offer, including the reserve stuff.
2005 Annette's Reserve was superb
2005 Eagle Point Vineyard
2005 Maggie's Reserve was also wonderful
2005 Planchon Vineyard
2006 Marsanne Preston Vineyard (the only white)
2005 Mourvedre A/S SF bay was one of my favorites here
2005 Fran's Reserve, Rockpile had that unique nose
NV Desiree Chocolate Port had strong coconut notes
2004 Syrah Port, SF Bay
2004 Zin Port, SF Bay (one was smooth, almost too much so, and the other was really good - I think it was the Syrah that I liked better) -
Review from Becky M.
Alameda, CA
11/26/2008
Renee introduced me to Rosenblum. I have been to their main tasting room and winery in Alameda - a mere hop, skip and jump from me. Which proves useful. However, I had to check out their tasting room in Healdsburg...
They have some very very nice Zins and dessert wines. I tasted a new wine while we were in Healdsburg, their Mourvedre ($18) and I left with a bottle of that and a scrumptious, literally orgasmic, Chocolate Dessert wine. Seriously people the Desiree Chocolate Dessert Wine ($20) could easily replace sex, Grey's Anatomy, and maybe (maybe) even scrapbooking. Ok, not scrapbooking...but you get the point!
Renee - you are a lucky woman, as I know how you enjoy a Rosenblum Port - this one is for you and me darlin'. Let's enjoy it with cheese cake (chocolate cake for you) and a good old fashion bitch session!
If you buy - they wont charge you for tasting - so buy!!! You'll want to take some to go anyway! Trust me...
Minus 1 star for the fruit flies around the "pour out" bucket. I know it's not their fault - but really it distracted me from paying sole attention to the wine! -
Review from Gary L.
Oakland, CA
2/10/2009 1 Check-in Here
This was the second destination on our little tour of the healdsburg wineries, and I really enjoyed my time here. There were 6 of us and we had a coupon for free tastings for 4 but they went ahead and comped all of us. A good start already! The fellas went with the reserve tasting menu while the ladies went with the dessert tasting menu.
I was quite pleased overall with the variety of the tasting menu. Their wines were well balanced and offered a nice complexity. I really enjoyed their Syrah with a smokey, baconey background. If only I had discovered it a week sooner, I could've paired that with the bacon explosion that I made. But alas.... I also tried some of their dessert wines, and they were also quite good, not overly sweet. I liked the Desiree chocolate port they offered; a nice balance of sweetness with the warmth of chocolate. The staff were friendly, helpful and knowledgeable, giving enough information that we weren't bored or overwhelmed by facts. Overall, I was very satisfied with my time here and it's definitely worth the trip. -
Review from Thomas C.
Fresno-High, CA
5/12/2008
Rosenblum cellars is a fantastic place to come and taste because they don't fall into the boring, stuffy category of tasting rooms. As my tasting group and I walked in we were greeted by nearly all the staff which was great. Their primary tasting counter was full and two of the staff quickly cleared off their second tasting counter for our group; they were very accommodating for us as well as super friendly.
The basic tasting consisting of four wines is free and for an additional 8 dollars you can also include the reserve tasting of another 4 wines. Rosenblum primary works with Zinfandel and Syrah however they do produce a few other Rhone varietals and blends. A number of the bottles they opened were new bottles too, so we got fresh pours! They even poured their chocolate dessert wine which was delicious; tasted like the Mounds candy bar. I found that a few of their Zinfandels and Syrahs had ethyl acetate present in the nose and palette (preset as an acetone or nail-polish remover smell...and indication of high volatile acidity) which was somewhat of a put-off to me. I don't know if anyone else noticed.
The tasting staff were super friendly and engaged us in conversation. They asked us where we were from. We said we were students from UC Berkeley so we got into a discussion of our major and what we planned to do for work and other such stuff. They did ask an awkward question about whether we were voting for Hillary or Obama, which somewhat set the mood back a bit. I don't know if politics are an appropriate subject to discuss in a tasting room; perhaps in your own home with a few friends and a bottle or two of wine would be more appropriate.
I ended up buying a bottle of a new production of Zinfandel from their Richard Sauret vineyard which is from Paso Robles. It has a wonderful mixture of fruit and spice. They also produce a lovely Black Muscat if you like dessert wines (which I very much do) as well as a delicious Syrah from their England-Shaw vineyard (we didn't taste that but it is available for purchase).
Unlike one of the wineries we visited earlier, Rosenblum wines are each distinct and very approachable which I enjoy. They are conveniently located in downtown Healdsburg, so you can taste, eat and sit in the park and enjoy the community. -
Review from franko b.
Livermore, CA
2/22/2010
$5 dollar tasting for the 4(5?) wines we were interested in tasting. Cool set up and plenty of room so you don't have to muscle your way up to the bar.
We had a good conversation with the pourer but she walked off before our last one and someone else finished for her. He had more to share about the wine, the location of the vineyards and the blends. As we finished the last tasting we spoke to a 3rd pourer, he asked us what we wanted to buy and offered one free dessert wine tasting.
We ended up buying a zinfandel & 1 dessert wine. The zin was discounted 30% and he extended the sale to the dessert wine as well as waving the tasting fee.
We mentioned that we were thinking about eating at a nearby restaurant and he suggested another tasting room to check out on our way. -
Review from Lisa A.
Decatur, GA
12/28/2007
While I enjoyed my wine tasting at Rosenblum Cellars, I think the whole tasting room concept was a bit lost on me. I found it kind of odd to be in the middle of wine country, but then go to a strip mall to have a tasting. I was staying at a hotel across the street, so that is why I stopped by. I think a lot of what I like about wine tasting, is seeing the place were the wine is produce and getting a feeling for everything about it.
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Review from Josh L.
San Francisco, CA
4/4/2007
We visited the Healdsburg tasting room as part of the Barrel Tasting weekend. This review is really more for the ***CHOCOLATE PORT*** which we purchased and only recently opened. If you haven't tried it, I cannot recommend it highly enough. It's a dessert wine that replaces the dessert!
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Review from GC D.
Amador City, CA
7/22/2009
Absolutely some of the heartiest stuff this side of the Sierras. I really like Rosenblum's tasting rooms. I find the other rooms around the area a bit stuffy, but the staff here is really congenial and knowledgable. Plus, the wine is great.
Listed in: Wine Wandering
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Review from Jenn K.
7/28/2007
We really enjoyed their wines, their service, and their central "have one last tasting before dinner" location. We picked up a couple tasty dessert wines here, and definitely would go back. They had a couple nice zins, too!
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Review from Leon C.
San Francisco, CA
7/20/2007
I'm a beginner wine taster, but I thought the wines here were pretty good. They have a wide variety of Reds especially Zinfandels. My favorite was the Petite Sirah. They also have some really nice delicious dessert wines. Yummy, the chocolate port is sooo heavenly! and yet not too sweet. Perfect for that special one.
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Review from Kevan M.
11/12/2007
Nestled in a shop near downtown Healdsburg, this winery offers a wide range of affordable wines. The quality has varied over my 3 visits but overall I have enjoyed most of the wines that were served. The service has always been pleasant. A solid 4 stars!
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Review from darla s.
San Francisco, CA
10/20/2005
A quirky little tasting room next to the Oakville Market. It's a label you see sometimes in your local bodega or supermarket, but might pass over because it lacks a certain panache. That would be a mistake. They produce some fine wines, especially their rhone varietals, most notably the syrah and petite sirah. WIth reasonable prices, and availaibilty, Rosenblum makes a fine addition to your wine rack.
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Review from Liza M.
Reading, MA
4/4/2010
visited 11/23/09
bought - 2007 Rockpile Road Zinfandel $35
tasting $5, but applied to purchase. We tasted: almost all of their zins.
Great tasting room, right in the center of healdsburg. Amazing zins. So many different kinds. Great laid back tasting room. -
Review from Kari S.
San Diego, CA
10/16/2007
Wow - they had some really great dessert wines! We went here before going to Barndiva for dinner and had a great time. Their service was A+!
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Review from A in Pleasant H.
Pleasant Hill, CA
3/8/2010
Been a fan of Rosenblum for years, but never made it to one of their tasting rooms.
The host was very very nice. Explained they were not doing barrel tasting on Friday, but they'd comp the tasting and give a 30% discount.
I'm a fan of their Zins - that's their "claim to fame" I never had their petite sirah, and loved it. Bought Pet and lots of dessert wines as giveaways -- how can you beat a dessert wine half bottle under $13?
Really nice experience. -
Review from Beth K.
South San Francisco, CA
12/23/2009 1 Check-in Here
No trip to Sonoma Wine Country is complete without a trip to the tasting room of Rosenblum. We like that it's conveniently located in downtown Healdsburg, so that you can visit other tasting rooms close by or grab a bite to eat. I almost always get the dessert tasting because I can't get enough of the Late Harvest Viogner and the Desiree. If sweet wines are not your thing, the Kick Ranch Reserve Syrah and the Snows Lake Vineyard Zin are really fabulous choices.
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Review from Darien W.
San Francisco, CA
12/8/2008
Some very amazing, fruit forward Zins..these are California wines, baby, so no, they are not shy. They are, in my opinion, what Zin was meant to be.
Wide range of prices, free basic tasting, and the staff are polite even if sometimes a bit subdued and don't kiss you on the kiester.
Convienently located on the plaza in Healdsburg...several wineries have tasting rooms on or around here now and so you can walk around and taste...look ma, no cars! -
Review from jeremy b.
San Francisco, CA
3/21/2010
i've been curious about rosenblum for years. i've seen their wines around the bay area with generally high price tags, so when i saw their tasting room i thought it would be a good chance to actually try the wine.
the main turnoff i had was that rosenblum doesn't own any vineyards. they just buy other people's grapes. maybe this is okay for some folks, but i like visiting an actual vineyard, seeing the earth the wine comes from, seeing the vines it grows on.
i was also turned off by the fact that rosenblum sells artificially flavored wine. they have a 'chocolate port' that they add ARTIFICIAL flavoring to. yikes. -
Review from Grace H.
Des Moines, IA
9/3/2008
I was there on a Friday afternoon during Harvest and it wasn't overly crowded. I had just eaten lunch next door at Oakville Grocery and stumbled upon this place. Who knew? Who knew I'd be so, excuse my language, s**tfaced by the time I left that I could hardly stand on the sidewalk as my friend and I searched for a place that sold gelato since we were having a silly craving? The guy never stopped pouring. I swear, I must've tried everything they ever sold and I ended up buying the last thing I tried, Desiree, a Zinfandel Port. I was going to say, "Shame on the tasting room guy who poured all of this!", but then again, thank God he did--because now I'm a HUGE fan of Rosenblum Cellars! And I wasn't the designated driver that day. So there!
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Review from Kris N.
San Francisco, CA
4/27/2008
I should start by saying that I'm completely biased on this one. I'm a member of their wine club and go to the Alameda location every few months (can't beat the quarterly open houses). I've always been a fan of their wine. We stopped in while we waited for our delicious gourmet sandwiches to be prepared at the Oakville grocer next door. I got complimentary tastings for my grandfather and my date and we tried everything in the house. My favorite this year was the Maggie's. Planchon isn't bad too. Unfortunately they weren't pouring the Atoosa or Kick Syrahs. I highly recommend you stop in before heading out to wine country. Oh, and look up the open house events in the Alameda cellars. You can take the ferry from the city and drink over 40 different wines without worrying about driving home!
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Review from Clara K.
6/19/2007
we stopped by the rosenblum tasting room in healdsburg and tried a ton of great wines! the standouts were the rosie rabbit late harvest zin (a great red dessert wine), and the chocolate port (which i didn't like personally, but a few of my friends did). now that i know their winery is situated in alameda, i am definitely going to visit! it's much closer than healdsburg. :)
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Review from lisa w.
San Francisco, CA
3/4/2008
5 stars for the chocolate dessert wine (chocolate port). their tasting room is always busy during barrel tasting and my first experience a few years ago was unpleasant (they were pretty rude) but the last 2 times i went they were really nice. i guess everyone has a bad day sometimes, i now go back every time i'm in healdsburg.
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Review from J C.
Peninsula, CA
7/18/2007
A nice source for Zinfandal wines. They have a generous tasting room and can be a great way to get started. The petit sirah is full bodies and robust with tannin. I think I'll age that one for a good five years.
