It’s amazing how Zinfandel’s varietal character shifts as it ripens. In some cases, when the fruit gets ripe enough to get the alcohol level over 15%, the shift often goes into jammy characteristics that overpower some of the nuance that the grape has to offer. Not so with this wine from Renwood’s Wren series. It’s very pepper forward on the nose, with black cherry, juniper and toasted oak adding interest. On the palate, the pepper and black cherry are delivered with bright acidity, moderate grip and a long well integrated finish that carries its alcohol nicely.
Renwood Winery, Amador County (California) Zinfandel 2010
By Rich Cook