Two Angels Petite Sirah is a full-bodied, 100% Petite Sirah from Red Hills, Lake County, California, bottled at 14.4% ABV in a 750ml format. The 2021 vintage earned 94 points as a Publisher's Pick from Tasting Panel magazine (May 2024) and 93 points from Wine & Spirits (September 2024), establishing it as one of Lake County's most critically acclaimed Petite Sirah bottlings.Quick Facts: ABV: 14.4% | Origin: Red Hills, Lake County, California | Varietal: 100% Petite Sirah | Winemaker: Robert "Bob" Pepi, Kreps FamilyProduction & HeritageTwo Angels is produced by the Kreps family, with fruit sourced from the acclaimed Shannon Ridge vineyards situated along the northeast shores of Clear Lake at elevations around 1,700 feet. The volcanic terroir is defined by iron-rich red soils laced with obsidian rock, which promotes excellent drainage, while high-altitude positioning delivers roughly 10% more UV light than neighboring sea-level valleys—intensifying color, tannin concentration, and phenolic development in the grapes. Winemaker Bob Pepi hand-harvests the fruit, carefully de-stems and ferments it, then ages the wine for nine months in French oak (20% new), preserving varietal purity while adding measured structure.Tasting NotesAroma: Deep, inky purple in the glass, the nose opens with decadent blackberry, blueberry, and boysenberry, layered with toasted wood, cocoa, and a subtle smoky-umami undercurrent. Hints of fig, mint, and dark chocolate add further complexity.Taste: The entry is rich and immediately full-bodied, flooding the palate with jammy blackberry, cassis, and plum. At mid-palate, polished and juicy tannins frame flavors of black cherry, anise, and black pepper. A thread of sandalwood and bark emerges toward the peak, adding savory depth without overwhelming the fruit core.Finish: Long and grippy, with lingering dark berry compote, clove spice, and bittersweet chocolate. The tannins remain firm but integrated, leaving a satisfyingly dry, full-textured close.How to Drink Two Angels Petite SirahThis wine shows best at cellar temperature (60–65°F), poured into a large-bowled glass and given 20–30 minutes to open up. Decanting younger vintages for up to an hour softens the firm tannin grip and reveals additional aromatic layers.For cocktail-adjacent serves: a Kalimotxo works surprisingly well with its tannic backbone and cola-like dark fruit; a Petite Sirah Sangria built with blackberry liqueur, fresh plum, and cinnamon plays directly into its fruit-and-spice profile; and a Red Wine Spritz with sparkling water and an orange peel garnish lightens the body for warm-weather drinking.Best For Weekend steak dinners or backyard barbecues featuring smoked meats Gifting a red wine enthusiast who gravitates toward bold, dark-fruited styles Building a Lake County or California Petite Sirah vertical collection Blind-tasting nights comparing Petite Sirah against Tannat or Mourvèdre Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Two Angels Petite Sirah taste like? It delivers an intense core of blackberry, cassis, and plum supported by chocolate, anise, and black pepper, all framed by firm yet polished tannins. The wine is full-bodied and richly textured with a long, spice-driven finish.How does Two Angels Petite Sirah compare to Madiran Tannat? Tasting Panel's Tasting Director Corey Warren noted that the juicy plum freshness and vegetal tannin savor recall newer-style Madiran Tannat wines—violet-perfumed and plummy. Two Angels tends to show more overt dark-berry sweetness and chocolate oak influence, while Tannat typically leans more rustic and austere.Is Two Angels Petite Sirah good for sipping neat? Yes—its layered aromatics, balanced tannin structure, and 94-point critical recognition make it a strong choice for contemplative drinking, especially after a brief decant.Where is Two Angels Petite Sirah made? It is produced from grapes grown in the Red Hills appellation of Lake County, California, at elevations around 1,700 feet above Clear Lake. The fruit comes from Shannon Ridge vineyards, and winemaking is overseen by veteran winemaker Bob Pepi.What foods pair well with Two Angels Petite Sirah? Grilled tri-tip or smoked brisket matches the wine's tannic grip; aged cheddar or Gouda echoes its savory depth; dark chocolate desserts complement the cocoa and berry finish; lamb shanks braised with herbs align with its peppery spice; and mushroom risotto plays off the earthy, umami undertones.What sizes does Two Angels Petite Sirah come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.Is Two Angels Petite Sirah worth the price? With multiple vintages scoring 91–94 points from publications including Tasting Panel, Wine & Spirits, Wine Enthusiast, and James Suckling, Two Angels positions as a high-value expression within the premium Petite Sirah category—delivering critically praised quality that frequently outperforms its price tier.Why Two Angels Petite Sirah?What separates this wine from the broader Petite Sirah field is the convergence of exceptional terroir and restrained winemaking. The Red Hills' volcanic obsidian soils and elevated UV exposure produce grapes with unusual concentration and phenolic intensity, while Bob Pepi's nine-month French oak program (only 20% new) lets the fruit speak rather than burying it under heavy toast. The consistent critical performance—94 points from Tasting Panel, 93 from both Wine & Spirits and James Suckling across different vintages—confirms that the quality is repeatable, not a one-off. For anyone seeking a serious, terroir-driven Petite Sirah that punches well above its weight class, this is a bottle that earns its place on the table.
