theCompass
 Home   Map   Blog Roll   WineCompass   Wine 101   My Compass 

Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley

Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley Wine Details
Price: $18.00 per bottle

Description: Subtle aromas of berries, cherries and vanilla wrapped in oak belie the robust flavors that follow in this powerhouse Zinfandel. Rich and intense on the palate, with integrated tannins smoothed by oak aging to create layers of complexity. Spicy notes with hints of cedar against a concentrated dark berry core combine to make this well-structured, age-worthy Zinfandel. Flavors in this hearty Zin will marry well with summer barbeques, winter stews or the family pasta dinners.

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)!


Reviews




Back to Peterson Winery information