This past week, we were well on our way to wine Nirvana with the opening and sipping of the 2006 Zinfandel from Joel Gott Winery of California.
This vintage is actually 96% Zinfandel, 3% Petite Sirah and 1% Alicante Bouchet. I mean, after all, what would Zinfandel be without a little Bouchet. A far less bottle of wine from my perspective....of course, let us not forget that my perspective illuminates from Greenfield, Indiana. But, I digress.
This wines heralds from vines located in Napa, Sonoma, Lodi and Amador. The 3 Musketeers of wine country for growing Zinfandel. Each distinctive vineyard lending its unique soil and environment to create and fuel this power house of a wine.
Admittingly, at first sip, the 14.5% alcohol overwhelmed my palette which became like a shrinking violet and refused to taste even a hint of the grape. But, after a bit of time had transpired, magically, as with most good wines, the alcohol settled down, the flavors began to emerge and like a flower in the spring this mighty Zin opened up and put its true flavors on display.
The classic plum, and ripe berries were instantly succulent and the cherry and spicy nuances added to a long, sweet, and juicy finish. The tannins were intense and lively but with structure, and by that I mean, they lasted firmly from first sip to last swallow.
The $16.59 price tag on this wine is quite reasonable. One might have to actually go to a fine dining establishment to acquire a wine of this caliber. So, before you go out on the town, go get "Gott" at Greenfield Liquors.
And, while you're at it, join us every Thursday from 5:00-8:00 pm. as we dutifully drink, converse, drink, converse....you get the idea.
Until
The Wine Tellar
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