Earthquake Petite Sirah

Earthquake Petite Sirah is my top draft pick. The Phillips brothers Michael and David, of Michael David Winery, are fifth-generation vintners with degrees from UC Davis and a firsthand appreciation of the industry. They are charter members of the Lodi League, producing monster reds in boutique quantities. Their 2010 vintage blends Cabernet Sauvignon into the Petite Sirah creating extra depth and complexity. It’s crafted to be big and bold. And though produced from the rather small Petite Sirah grape, there’s nothing petite about the taste. This rough tough red delivers intense black fruit and layers of blueberry liqueur softened with shades of chocolate. Delivering 15.5% alcohol, the only thing petite about Earthquake is its price per bottle: $20 at Calandro’s on Perkins Road. Or stop by Louisiana Pizza Kitchen, where Earthquake is served BTB and BTG, pairing perfectly with their Black and Bleu Burger. Earthquake Petite Sirah embodies the essence of LSU football, sporting a gold-embossed label bleeding opaque purple wine with a punch so powerful that it will rock Tiger Stadium. Killer taste. Killer value. Game on!

Scott Reis is a venture capitalist whose prior investments include Churchill’s Cigar and Wine Bar as well as Grand Cru Market and Wine Cellar. E-mail Scott at [email protected].