theCompass
 Home   Map   Blog Roll   WineCompass   Wine 101   My Compass 

Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

Reserve Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Wine Details
Price: $24.00 per bottle

Description: This superb Zinfandel was produced from grapes grown in Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma CA. This is same vineyard as that of the 2003 Reserve Zinfandel. With the same intensity, structure and great fruit balance as the ’03, but in a dryer style. Tom says it is the perfect style blend of our ‘02 and ‘03 Zin (it has the body of the ’03 with the dryness of the ’02). For true lovers of Zinfandel, we think this may be our best Zin offerings yet. Pair it with full- flavored cheeses, pork, lamb, beef, or a hearty Veggie dish.

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 Rubidoux Ridge Vineyard information