 |
|
Wine Details
Price:
$22.00 per bottle
Description:
If you’ve ever had a California Zin and determined that the variety is one-dimensional with over-the-top fruit and alcohol, let us introduce you to Madroña’s Reserve Zinfandel. Not only does the 2003 vintage hallmark the complexity we expect out of the variety, but it also highlights that Zinfandel can be an amazing food companion.
Although we believe in blending when it comes to Zinfandel, this particular vintage is 99.98% Zinfandel, and showcases Zin characters harvested from four of our estate vineyards. The nose hints at the wine’s complexity with this ying and yang relationship of tart and sweet cherry. Throw in some spices, a dash of coffee, a pinch of chocolate and a drop of soy sauce, and you’re starting to get close to the intricacy of aromas. Toss in a couple cedar shavings and top it off with a fresh ripe strawberry, and you’re ready to taste.
The palate is dense and rich, yet wonderfully balanced. Dark cherry dominates the fruit while subtle background notes of briary blackberry and bright raspberry intermingle with a bit of exotic spice. The sensation of luscious fruit is balanced by slightly rustic tannins, allowing the finish of bittersweet chocolate to steal the show.
|
|
Varietal Definition
Zinfandel:
Zinfandel is a variety of red grape planted in over 10 percent of California wine vineyards. DNA fingerprinting revealed that it is genetically equivalent to the Croatian grape Crljenak Kaštelanski, and also the Primitivo variety traditionally grown in the 'heel' of Italy. It is typically made into a robust red wine. Its taste depends on the ripeness of the grapes from which it is made. Red berry fruits like raspberry predominate in wines from cooler areas such as the Napa Valley, whereas blackberry, anise and pepper notes are more common in wines made in warmer areas such as Sonoma County. Many Zinfandels come from head pruned ‘Old Vines’. ‘Old Vine’ is generally understood to mean a vine that is more than 50 years old and that produces less than three tons per acre. ‘Head Pruning’ is an old European style of pruning that trains the vine into the shape of a goblet. It requires no wires or other complex trellis systems. Head pruning spreads the fruit uniformly along the vine and allows light penetration.In the USA a semi-sweet Rosé (blush-style) wine called ‘White Zinfandel’ has achieved widespread popularity. In fact, this popularity has so outstripped all other forms that many fans think there is actually a grape called “White Zinfandel” (there isn’t)!
|
|