Dark Ruby with a blush of garnet at the core and edges. Spicy and bright in the nose, no alcoholic burn but rich and decadent with a nice streak of Valley soil and mint behind it. I could smell this wine all day long even though it’s a Zinfandel haha. Sorry about that, Zin–but you know how it is sometimes.
A wall of dark fruit covered in briar and vine hits the mouth thinning slightly and delicately over the middle before ramping things back up into a powerhouse Napa Zinfandel. I’ve drank Zinfandel from every corner of California and for some weird reason there’s nothing like Napa Valley Zinfandel. I know it’s not the most popular appellation for this variety and I know it’s far from the first one that pops in anybody’s mind when it’s mentioned but I love my valley Zinfandel.
This is a CLASSIC zinfandel, not fettered by the pruney-bullshit the tourists crave, Dry Creek Valley has gradually absconded to or Paso Robles has practically patented. This is your ‘Cab-Styled’ Zinfandel, not terribly unlike the bottles from many producers in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. A brilliant wine.
2013 OAKVILLE WINERY Zinfandel Oakville, Napa Valley 14.7
Stephen McConnell 