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Eric Ross Old Vine Zinfandel

Eric Ross Old Vine Zinfandel Wine Details
Price: $27.00 per bottle

Description: Our 2001 Occidental Vineyard zinfandel may be the best we've ever made. From Connoisseur's Guide, " Depth and intensity are not wholly dependent on maximal ripeness, and this altogether lovely Zin hits the mark smartly in terms of varietal precision, balance and irrepressable fruit. Medium-full-bodied but nevr heavy, it shows a touch of piquancy to its vibrant berry-like themes, and its oak is always sympathetic to its larger message of fruit. It is long on the palate and has the kind of strength and overall energy to suggest that its best is yet to come." Not much we can add to that glowing review.

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)!


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