Wine: Sonoma County Zinfandel
Winemaker: Seghesio
Vintage: 2014
Variety: 100% Zinfandel
Price: £21.99
It's pretty damn hard to find a decent quality Californian Zinfandel in the UK that isn't mind blowingly expensive; in most cases it's a hell of a lot easier to plump for a Southern Italian Primitivo instead, it's also usually easier to find a quality example and normally at around two thirds of the cost.
At first this exhibited a certain ruggedness and displayed rather dank aromas, not what I was expecting, but it settled in time and I'm pleased to report it is a thoroughly lovely wine. Not typical of the usual jammy, rich and intensely extracted flavours that this variety is known for, but instead more refined, elegant and dare I say it, more complex.
Baked plums and black cherry on the nose and palate, with subtle aniseed and liquorice employing a wonderful savoury element, adding balance and taming the sweet red fruits beautifully. A silky smooth texture, with oily dense legs, quite the sight when consumed in decent stemware. The tannins at first are little overwhelming, but a good (3hr+) decant will soften them amply; the acidity is linear, but sufficient enough to temper the sweetness, the flavour and aroma intensity pronounced and the finish exquisitely lengthy.
A great wine from a family producer boasting five generations of quality wine production. This would be great with a damn good cheeseburger or rib of beef!
Viva Seghesio!