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Years ago when we were first dating, Scott decided to make us a big steak dinner with baked potatoes, chocolate cake for dessert, and a big red wine to wash it all down. His neighborhood back then didn't have great wine stores, but then again one of us was only recently of legal drinking age and the other was new to wine. What did we know? A salesman at our local recommended a Dry Creek Zinfandel that was all berries and smoke and had just enough acidity to balance out all the fruit. We've liked Zinfandels ever since.
Of course we've also had some pretty lame ones over the years, stereotypically big, jammy sodapop wines. And then there are all the puns. Why are Zinfandel makers so into wordplay? Ugh. The only great American grape deserves better than hokey names and labels that look like something a 14-year-old boy would sketch on his binder.
We gathered up five Zinfandels that are above reproach both in name and in quality, and poured them with gusto. The tasting coincided with Rosh Hashanah, so we began the meal with challah, apples, and honey.
Scott served a salad of carrot greens, tomato, radishes, alderwood smoked salt, and lavender salt dressed with a drizzle of green olive oil.
The main course was pulled brisket ribbed with African berbere spice and served with sauteed carrots. For dessert, Jennifer made a plum cake from a recipe by Melissa Clark, and it was eaten so fast no photos could be taken.
Wines are 100% Zinfandel unless otherwise noted. "Field Blend" means "someone planted a lot of things willy-nilly a long time ago, and now it's not worth spending a lot of money on DNA testing the vines to figure out what's what."
Bottle 1: Ravenswood Vinters Blend Zinfandel 2008, California ($9.99)
Rank Amateurs Said: deep red color, raspberries, cherries, and cola in the nose, medium acidity, medium body, "great value for a BBQ and burger wine," "surprisingly light and refreshing," short finish
In a Word: Fruity
Paired with Food: Savory brisket balanced out the fruit
NOTE: 84% Zinfandel, 8% Carignan, 6% Petit Sirah, 2% Field Blend
Bottle 2: Bucklin Old Hill Ranch Bambino Zinfandel 2007, Sonoma, CA ($21.96)
Rank Amateurs Said: purple red color, a little tight, black fruit, clove, vanilla, and blueberry in the nose, earthy, dried grass, medium acidity, full body, long finish
In a Word: Big
Paired with Food: Opening up over the course of the night, it went well with the brisket
Bottle 3: Dashe Les Enfant Terribles Heart Arrow Ranch Zinfandel 2009, Mendocino County, CA ($24.99)
Rank Amateurs Said: purple red color, cherry, strawberry, raspberry, earth, leather, and mineral in the nose, "reminds me of pate," "pinot-like", medium acidity, medium body, long finish
In a Word: Surprising
Paired with Food: Perfect partner for the brisket
Bottle 4: Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel 2007, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma, CA ($29.99)
Rank Amateurs Said: purple red color, bay leaf, tobacco, red fruit, earth, cedar, and sous-bois in the nose, lots of structure, medium acidity, full body, rich mouthfeel, long finish
In a Word: Complex
Paired with Food: Everyone kept coming back to this wine, on its own and with the meal
NOTE: 71% Zinfandel, 22% Petit Sirah, 7% Carignan
Bottle 5: Ridge Paso Robles Zinfandel 2007, Benito Dusi Ranch, Paso Robles, CA ($31.99)
Rank Amateurs Said: purple red color, spice, raisin, baked cherries, boysenberries, and red fruit in the nose, "burnt wax and incense, like a Catholic Church," "Madeira," medium acidity, full body, long finish
In a Word: Rich
Paired with Food: Perfect pairing for the meat, bringing out spice in both
Links
Ravenswood Winery
Bucklin
Dashe Cellars
Ridge Vineyards
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