Bodegas Zerran Tinto 2012
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Parker
Robert -
Enthusiast
Wine
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Even better is the 2012 Zerran red, an outstanding bargain made from 60-year-old old vine Grenache and the rest Carignan and Syrah that spent ten months in two and three-year-old French oak. A beautiful nose of wet rocks, spring flowers, blueberries and black raspberries is followed by an elegant, medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, supple tannins and a penetrating, savory richness. A major sleeper of the vintage, it boasts terrific minerality, especially for a wine in this price range.
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Wine Enthusiast
Dense, earthy, inky aromas of raisin and schisty minerals are a good introduction to a well-packed palate that's pumping out wild berry flavors along with blackened toast accents. A medium-length finish brings this flavorful, stacked blend of Garnacha, Mazuelo (Carignan) and Syrah to a good close.
Other Vintages
2016-
Spectator
Wine
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Suckling
James -
Spectator
Wine
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Parker
Robert
With hundreds of red grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended red wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged resulting in a wide variety of red wine styles. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a red wine blend variety that creates a fruity and full-bodied wine would do well combined with one that is naturally high in acidity and tannins. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
How to Serve Red Wine
A common piece of advice is to serve red wine at “room temperature,” but this suggestion is imprecise. After all, room temperature in January is likely to be quite different than in August, even considering the possible effect of central heating and air conditioning systems. The proper temperature to aim for is 55° F to 60° F for lighter-bodied reds and 60° F to 65° F for fuller-bodied wines.
How Long Does Red Wine Last?
Once opened and re-corked, a bottle stored in a cool, dark environment (like your fridge) will stay fresh and nicely drinkable for a day or two. There are products available that can extend that period by a couple of days. As for unopened bottles, optimal storage means keeping them on their sides in a moderately humid environment at about 57° F. Red wines stored in this manner will stay good – and possibly improve – for anywhere from one year to multiple decades. Assessing how long to hold on to a bottle is a complicated science. If you are planning long-term storage of your reds, seek the advice of a wine professional.