Laurel Glen REDS 2002

"This blend of Zinfandel, Carignane and Petite Sirah tastes like one of those regional wines you discovered on vacation. You remember the sweet cherries, how dry it was, and how perfect with that chicken cacciatore. Shows up the promise of Lodi."
-Wine Enthusiast

The 2002 REDS is huge, and in any other year, it would have qualified for !ZaZin. It's intensely purple-black, exploding with aromas of exotic spices, black fruits, minerality, cocoa bean, ultra-ripe berries, and is decadently luscious. Not exactly the Laurel Glen house style, but that's what the vintage produced, so that's what we made, and I've got to say that this confirmed cabernet drinker has indulged in a number of bottles over the past several months when well spiced foods appear on the table and has enjoyed every one to the last drop!

Like the recently released 2001 Counterpoint, the 2002 REDS has an overlay of suavity and opulence that complements its deep, dark, almost rustic core. This is not accidental. We have made tremendous efforts to refine our projects on Sonoma Mountain, Mendoza, and Lodi. All REDS vineyards are under our control: we carefully monitor irrigation, crop levels, and harvest conditions. In the winery, we ferment in small batches, which preserves the integrity of the vineyards, and age the wines in 60 gallon oak barrels. Quantities produced are significantly lower than in previous years in keeping with our increasing commitment to quality.