Saturday, April 14, 2012

2010 Sobon Estate ZINFANDEL "Old Vines" (Amador County, Cal.)

I don't usually buy Zins from Amador County, because in the 1980s and 1990s I had several that were very cloying and simple -- not as vibrant, complex, and zesty as from places like Dry Creek and Paso Robles.  But I recently gave this one a shot and it is a winner!  Everything in balance, lots of flavors, and good energy.

Dark ruby with violet highlights.  Great nose of lively, tangy, rich blackberries, and loads of sandstone-y, balsa wood notes.  Mouthcoating flavors, but not the least bit heavy, showing very nice balance for a Zin.  Pretty good acicity and a wee bit of soft tannin.  Very pure flavors of ripe, spicy blackberry and black cherry fruit and loads of stony minerals.  This would go really nicely with all sorts of red sauces, meat braises, grilled meat, etc.  Which is really what I love most about Zinfandels -- their food-friendliness.  At least when they're not pushing 16% alc. (This one was a more modest -- for Zin -- 14.9%.)  A-.  Was only $12.99 at Total Wine in McLean, VA.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Might I suggest twisted sister zin by calcareous. Paso Robles. Now I got this at Specs (17.00) and was an excellent zin. Everyone at the BBQ loved it.
Well worth seeking out up north of e mason Dixon.