Wine Party! – Featuring Zinfandels for that Turkey Dinner
Saturday,
4 to
$5.00 per person
Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com
Most people think of Beaujolais Nouveaux for an accompaniment to that Thanksgiving meal less than a week away. Take that thought one step further and consider Zinfandel. I do serve at least one Zin with that annual full-blown meal, but have hesitated in recommending it to my customers. No more; the November issue of Bon Appetit included an article supporting this view: “this bright, juicy wine, laden with berry flavors and enhanced with a smidgen of sweetness, is the correct wine for Thanksgiving fare.” While not in total agreement with all that was said in the article, I do believe the message is timely and, therefore, so is our tasting event.
2003
This is the perfect middle ground between the spicy Zinfandels of the Sierra Foothills and the fruity jammy Zinfandels of Sonoma. Both characteristics can be found in moderation with this wine. You can expect a swirl of the glass to reveal sweet ripe berries and black pepper spice with elements of sun-baked earth. The entry is sweet, displaying hints of raspberry and chocolate, but well balanced with sufficient acid and a little pepper at the front. It is full bodied with complex flavors and a smooth finish. This winery was originally owned by Rombauer and Frank Family but was recently sold to the Trinchero family of
2005 Jake-Ryan Cellars Zinfandel,
This Bald Mountain Vineyard Zin from
2004 Wine Guerrilla Zinfandel, Dry Creek,
This wine comes to us from a negociant who over the years has espyed the best vineyard sources in
2004 Tin Barn Vineyards Zinfandel,
$17.95
The grapes for this bottling are sourced from the Gilsson Vineyard, a 35 year old vineyard near
2005 Opolo Vineyards Zinfandel, Summit Creek, Paso Robles
$17.95
Opolo Vineyards comprises 270 acres of vineyards in both the Westside and Eastside areas of Paso Robles. Owners Rick Quinn and David Nichols have chosen to produce opulent wines that are rich and highly extracted. That goes for all the varietals they produce which seem to come from the bigger-is-better school of thought. Not for everybody, this big Zin has a sweet entry that will stand up to any cranberry preparation on your plate. It is resplendent in ripe black cherry, raspberry and spice and is framed by soft tannins and balanced acidity. Alcohol 16.5%
n.v. Chateau Potelle “Zinie de Potelle” Desert Zinfandel
$12.99
This late harvest Zinfandel is sweet, at 6.5% residual sugar, but with a lot of vigor, strength and character. It is a delicious Port-style wine made from dry-farmed, old vine grapes, fermented and aged 18 months in French oak. It has sweet cherry and wild berry fruit with chocolate undertones. It displays deep aromas and is very smooth and elegant in the mouth with underlying hints of nutmeg and cinnamon. The name Zinie comes from the Potelle’s dog, and here I thought it was a diminutive for Zinfandel.
