Forget the Milk and Honey

I'll take Lamb and Petite Sirah for my heavenly meal any day! This classic combination is quite possibly one of the best meals you'll ever have the pleasure of consuming. Don't be afraid of the lamb; it really is quite simple to make. Just make sure your grill is fired up and good and ready for it, at medium to medium-high heat.

Wine: 2005 Concannon Vineyard Petite Sirah Limited Release
Meal: Grilled lamb chops with a veggie side

Tasting notes on the wine:
First of all, this wine should be decanted for about 2 hours before drinking. I like to decant and then pour it back into the bottle for serving.

Color: 5/5
Deep, dark violet. Very nearly black. Coats the glass beautifully, with good legs.

Nose: 13/15
Floral and leather, chocolate and spice. Touches of oak here and there if you breathe deeply.

Flavor: 9/10
Very correct PS flavors, and loaded with blueberry. My notes have "BLUEBERRIES" capitalized and underlined about 5 times. Vanilla and spice shine through as well, with hints of other dark fruits. Oh, and did I mention the blueberries? Good, full mouthfeel, jammy. By the end of the glass, expect to need to brush your tongue, and maybe your teeth, too.

Finish: 8/10
Lasts about 30-45 seconds, with a good punch of tannins. Doesn't leave your mouth cotton-dry, but you might want to keep a glass of water handy.

Aging: 3/5
It will be interesting to see how this one develops over the next few years. It's got the body and fruit to last a while, so it should last pretty well in the cellar for quite some time. Drink now through 2017.

Overall: 4/5
Talk about excellent QPR (Quality Price Ratio). Available locally for between $10-$15, this is a massive purchase. An excellent everyday quaffer, provided you have the patience to decant it properly. Love this stuff.

Total: 92pts

As mentioned before, Petite Sirah and Lamb is a perfect combination. PS is one of those immensely flexible wines that goes really well with just about anything, but it really shines with grilled meats and barbecue. And I admit, I cheated on the meal and used pre-packaged veggies, but sometimes you just want something easy.

Want to make this meal?

Grilled Lamb Chops w/veggies
1/2 lb Kosher salt
1/2 lb lamb chops (3-4 3/4" thick chops)
1 pkg Green Giant "Healthy Vision"

On a piece of foil, pour out half of the kosher salt, and arrange the chops on it. Coat the top of the chops with the remaining salt, making sure they are all covered. Close up the foil and allow to sit for about an hour.

Rinse the salt off under water and pat dry, and allow to rest for another 5 minutes. Place chops on grill over medium to medium-high heat, and cook for 5-6 minutes on each side for medium-rare. Allow to rest for 3-4 minutes before serving.

Cook up the veggies according to package directions and serve alongside the chops.

Enjoy!