The last time Nina came through HQ, she was half of a Concannon two pack with it’s partner Captain Joe’s, because the two of them seemed so inseparable. Well… let’s just say we put them on a trial break. 😉

We sourced a tad more of Nina dressed in her 94 Points, of beauty, so today she’s flying solo at just $33.

Captain Joe and Nina are so different, we removed their codependent nature, so Nina could shine in her true individuality. They were actually husband and wife, so yes, this is officially a trial separation from their two pack. Besides… We are kinda feeling the “Nobody puts Baby in a corner” vibe. Nina’s stepping out of her partner’s shadow in pure elegance, class and confidence!

With chilly weather rolling in across most of the nation, Wine Enthusiast said “This is what you need on a cold night with braised lamb shank.” That sounds SO good… maybe some aged prime rib too!

94 Points - Cristaldi & Co., (Jonathan Cristaldi is also Decanter’s Napa Valley Correspondent) mirrors Nina’s elegance with “This wine is graceful…” SERIOUSLY?? When was the last time you heard anyone call a Petite Sirah graceful? It’s not often.

Our take… Nina’s Cuvée takes a trip down the Rhône lineage, hefty while elegant, graceful while spicy. Longevity and balance are in her DNA. Brilliant stuff! She leads with enticing violets, boysenberry and black plum, with minerality flowing into an expertly concentrated mid palate. Structured, but not overbearing or syrup like. As we’ve mentioned throughout today’s offer, Nina is graceful…Her finish…long! Joe has great taste in partners! 😀 We can see why opposites attract has so much meaning.

Now, for the story… a lot of people go straight to RIDGE when they think of California Petite Sirah, but Concannon was doing it first. America’s first varietally labeled Petite Sirah came from their 1961 vintage. Then Jim Concannon (Nina’s son!) teamed up with UC Davis to develop Cabernet Clones 7, 8 and 11, and an estimated 80% of California’s Cab is planted to them today.

Cab lovers, odds are you’ve already been sipping Concannon DNA from your favorite cabs… Poor Livermore… it never really did get out of Napa’s shadow. Ditto for Chardonnay, but that’s a different story for a different time.

Think of Petite Sirah as the other meat lover’s wine! 🥩 OR…let’s not forget all of the vegetarian options…Charred Eggplant Caviar on Crusty Sourdough with a feta whip, 🍆 Lentil & Roasted Root Vegetable Stew…Indian cuisine..YUM!

As International Wine Review put it, “Petite Sirah possesses many wonderful attributes. It has the finish of great Syrah, the fruit of ripe Zinfandel, and the complexity and balance of the best Cabernet Sauvignons.”

$33 here. Nina’s single and ready to mingle…

94 Points – Cristaldi & Co. “This wine is graceful and often mineral-driven, with red-black fruit and violet notes, a hint of smoky mineral notes, and a power-packed core of dark berry fruit, supported by fine-grained tannins and finishing with wet slate and pressed wild floral notes with a slightly salty finish. Fermented in stainless steel and aged for 19 months in puncheons, including 20% new French oak. Drink 2026-2036.”