Dick Cooper Vineyard, Amador County
TASTING NOTES:
The 2024 Cooper Zinfandel
has garnet ruby color of medium depth, with bright hues and an edge of carmine
creeping into the hue. The aroma is loaded with savory berry fruit; red and black
raspberries, dark cherry, boysenberry and plum.
Past editions of this wine have been ‘pretty’. That is to say juicy and youthful in their exuberance. The 2024 edition of the Cooper Zinfandel has
taken a step away from the youthful strawberry character in favor of the darker
berries. This Zinfandel is still a long way from being a dense late harvest
monster. In addition, there are floral scents
of rose petals and violets that lift from the glass. Just over a year of barrel aging has layered
in a bouquet that provides a significant impression of sweetness; dark
chocolate, hazelnut, and caramel. On the palate juicy flavors of ripe
blackberry, marionberry, and boysenberry are delivered by a wine with a supple
creamy texture. The tannins are mature and free of astringency. The finish features toasty oak and a note of
mineral. This can be a dangerous
Zinfandel; it is smooth, creamy, and oh so inviting, and does nothing to reveal
a rather substantial alcohol level. As I
write this, I am craving a rack of lamb and a glass or two of this 2024
Zinfandel from the Dick Cooper Vineyard.
TECHNICAL NOTES:
Varietal Composition: 100% Zinfandel
15.1% Alc. 0.74 g/100ml TA 3.43 pH
Oak Regime: 27% American Oak, 41% French Oak, 32% Neutral Oak
