Winemaker Notes
This is a new wine from Jorge Ordonez from the region of Montsant with soils just like it's neighbor, Priorat. Zerran Tinto is made from Syrah and very old Garnacha vines and Carignan (aka Mazuelo) aged 16 months in French oak. The red has very concentrated black fruit flavors and overtones of crushed stone.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Intense black-cherry nose with just a whiff of smoke. Good depth on the ample body. Bright and straight, thanks to the crisp acidity. If the dry tannins were a bit less strident, then this would rate higher. Drink or hold.
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Wine Spectator
From a 22-acre vineyard owned by the Bodegas Ordoñez, the 2015 Zerran is a blend of old-vine Carignan, Syrah and Grenache and aged ten months sur lie in Burgundy and Bordeaux barrels and bottled unfiltered. It has an earthy, mineral nose of wet slate/pebbles intermixed with black cherry and blacker fruits, as well as hints of truffle and loamy soil notes. It is followed by an outstanding wine with terrific richness, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel and noticeable, but well-integrated tannins. Drink it over the next 3-4 years.
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.
