WCC Petite Sirah @ Jack's Oyster House, 5/7/2026

WCC Petite Sirah Blind
Jack's Oyster House, Albany, NY, 5/7/2026

My Albany-area group (the Wine Collectors Club) got together to taste Petite Sirah blind at Jack's Oyster House in Albany. Dinner began around 7:30pm and ended around 10pm.

Another member of our group and I provided all the wine.

Jack's Oyster House is under new ownership. It opened in 1913 and was a legendary hangout for the political folks since it is just down the street from the capitol. It is a very promising venue for these dinners since we get a private room and Executive Chef Nick Parker did a marvelous job of making wine-friendly, delicious food. Also the Beverage Director Josh Turo is someone we've worked with many times when he was at Yono's.

Click on any image with a border for a larger view of that image.

The Menu:

An amuse bouche of Brioche Toast, Burrata, Tomato Jam, Frisee served with Olive Focaccia:

Flight 1
Rabbit Rillette with Rhubarb, Fresh Horseradish.
It doesn't look like much, but this was delicious!

1998 La Jota Petite Sirah - USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain
[Double-decanted around 5pm.] Dark red fruits and some mulch in the nose. The alcohol seems a bit high. Long, complex, tannic finish, but missing something in the middle. (90 points)
2001 Quixote Petite Sirah Panza - USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District
[Double-decanted around 5pm.] Big smoky red fruit nose. Rich and full in the mouth. Mium length. Some tannin, but lots of fruit. (92 points)
2004 Rosenblum Cellars Petite Sirah Heritage Clones - USA, California, San Francisco Bay
[Double-decanted around 5pm.] A hint of brown sugar in the black fruit nose. Long complex finish of sour cherries. (94 points)

Flight 2: Ridge York Creek
Dry Aged Meatballs (100% dry aged beef) with Parmesan, Sage, Bordelaise and bits of dried mushrooms.
These were so tasty and went brilliantly with the wines.

1994 Ridge Petite Sirah York Creek - USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District
[Double-decanted around 5pm.] Ripe red and black fruit nose. Big and complex with many years ahead. A brilliant wine. (95 points)
1997 Ridge Petite Sirah York Creek - USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District
[Double-decanted around 5pm.] Big black fruit nose. Rich, silky, complex. Long finish of black fruit and violets. (95 points)
1997 Ridge Petite Sirah Dynamite Hill York Creek Vineyards - USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District
[Double-decanted around 5pm.] Something went very wrong here. Of the 8 wines I decanted, this one had the most beautiful nose, but at the dinner, the nose was quite muted with some black fruit and chocolate. Still very tannic with rich fruit, but flat on the finish. Some thought this was mildly corked. Sad. (NR/flawed)

Flight 3: Stags’ Leap Winery
Short Rib with Porcini, Artichoke Purée, King Oyster Mushroom.
Another fabulous dish that complemented the wines.

1974 Stags' Leap Winery Petite Sirah - USA, California, Napa Valley
[Double-decanted around 5pm.] Big smoky nose of black fruit and cedar mulch. Rich, with some tannins still present. Long fin ish of red fruit and spice. Shocking how hard it is to tell this from the 1988 and the 2005! (93 points)
1988 Stags' Leap Winery Petite Sirah Stags' Leap Reserve - USA, California, Napa Valley
[Double-decanted around 5pm.] Gorgeous nose of red fruit. Rich, expansive, long finish of red fruit and coffee. A stunning wine. Tied for my #3 WOTN. (96 points)
2005 Stags' Leap Winery Petite Sirah - USA, California, Napa Valley
[Double-decanted around 5pm.] Big rich complex perfume of savory red fruit. Long, complex young. (95 points)

Flight 4: Turley Hayne Vineyard
Cambozola with Local Honey, Pistachio, Truffle.
So yummy. Worked well with these big wines.

2000 Turley Petite Syrah Hayne Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena
[Double-decanted around 5pm.] Huge nose of mixed berries. Rich, long, complex. Just stunning. Tied for my #3 WOTN. (96 points)
2002 Turley Petite Syrah Hayne Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena
[Double-decanted around 5pm.] Gorgeous nose of red fruit and spice with something floral. Expansive, complex, super long. This is insanely good wine with such richness, but also ethereal and without any heaviness. My WOTN. (98 points)
2005 Turley Petite Syrah Hayne Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena
[Double-decanted around 5pm.] Smoky red fruit nose. Huge but balanced and harmonious. A complex, expansive and fascinating wine. My #2 WOTN. (97 points)

Dessert
With the cheese course.

2001 Ridge Petite Sirah Essence - USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
[Double-decanted around 5pm. Half bottle.] Port-like nose of sweet red fruit. Rich, long and complex. A joy to drink. I wish I had more. (94 points)

Executive Chef Nick Parker comes for a visit. Beverage Director Josh Turo (standing left).
Seated: George (my co-host for this tasting) and a special guest Fred LeBrun.

The rest of the gang:

All the wines:

Summary
Another great evening of food and wine with good friends. I can't speak for the others, but I loved this tasting. Everyone I heard express an opinion liked the Turley flight the best.

My notes posted from CellarTracker.