“Terra d’Oro” means “Earth of Gold” of course, and some of the vines here do indeed date back to gold rush days. As good Zinfandel should, this one offers generous fruitiness with echoes of blackberry, blueberry and dark cherry. Not dauntingly complex, this is an easygoing big red wine that includes flickers of vanilla and a hint of bacon. The grapes come from the estate’s 500 acres of Amador County’s iron rich volcanic and granite soils. It’s hard to go wrong with this everyday Zinfandel whose drinkability and affordability are irresistible.
Terra d’Oro, Amador County (California) Zinfandel 2016
By Marguerite Thomas