Zinfandel is famous for
the wide variety of wine styles it is capable of producing. For the University of California and Sotheby’s
“Book of California Wine”, Paul Draper, winemaker at Ridge Vineyards,
contributed an essay in which he outlined and described eight different styles suitable
for Zinfandel; from sparkling wine cuvee to port. There wasn’t much Zinfandel couldn’t do. The versatility of Zinfandel is wonderful,
but it is also a significant liability.
Once someone thinks they know what to expect from a wine labeled
Zinfandel they get the proverbial curveball.
Our “Z” Zinfandel was our first contribution to the world of classic red
wines. That is to say, there is no
residual sugar here, no monster tannins, no overripe stewed fruit nonsense. “Z” is a wine produced to provide classic red
wine characters; good color, distinctive aromas, rich flavors and balanced
tannins, and at an alcohol level expected of a table wine.
