Artezin Zinfandel 2008
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Fruit Sources:
41% Amador County (Sierra Foothills)
32% Mendocino County (North Coast)
27% Sonoma County
About Mendocino, Amador and Sonoma Counties:
Mendocino's Mediterranean climate is notable for warmer days, which provide optimal ripening conditions, giving this wine its fruit-forward flavors, while cool evenings help the Zinfandel retain balanced acidity and moderate tannin structure. The ripe fruit from Amador County provides its jammy notes, while Sonoma County grapes give the wine spicy notes of clove, nutmeg and allspice, with hints of black pepper.
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Here's a deeply flavored, lusty young Zin that really shows off the variety's briary personality, even though it hails from three different counties. Very rich in blackberries, mulberries and currants, it's enormously spicy. Thoroughly enjoyable with barbecue and Mexican fare, like beef tacos.
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California is a winemaking colossus; by itself it is the fourth largest producer in the world. Red wine accounts for 56% of the total by volume, and red grapes 63% of total acres planted. In addition, a number of California red wines are heralded as being among the most prestigious and sought-after wines in the world.
While the state’s incredibly diverse geography, soils and microclimates allow for a wide array of styles, the key factor unifying California red wine is the abundance of sunshine and a long, consistent growing season. This leads to well-developed fruit marked both by impressive ripeness and balancing acidity.
The state’s most famous red wine region, of course, is Napa Valley, where Cabernet Sauvignon reigns as king. But California boasts a wealth of other impressive appellations. The much larger and climatically varied Sonoma County also produces world class California Cabernet, along with wonderful examples of California Pinot Noir and Zinfandel.
Fine versions of Cabernet and Zinfandel hail from Paso Robles as well, which is also gaining fame with Rhone varietals like Syrah and Grenache. As for Pinot Noir, terrific examples can be found from AVA’s such as Anderson Valley, Carneros, Santa Lucia Highlands and Sta. Rita Hills. Wineries in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties are making wonderful Syrahs, and the Sierra Foothill appellations are proving to be an experimental hotbed, with Italian and Spanish varietals employed to great effect.
This of course is a mere sketch. The subject of California red wine is as deep and broad as an ocean, and absolutely a joy to explore!