Say hello to my delicious friend Zinfandel.
When I was asked to review this California Zinfandel I jumped at the chance. California is famous for producing world-class Zinfandel. And Zinfandel is a variety I seldom see in my glass. The last time I enjoyed California Zinfandel was at the 2013 International Wine Festival in Vancouver, BC. They kind of blew away the California Pinot Noir. This wine was a true treat.
Tasting Notes:
Color: Clear garnet
Nose: Smoky, blueberry, tar, resin and licorice
Palate: Good mouth feel, tart, licorice, tar, nicely dry, dark fruit finish, happy flavors of lingering gingerbread, licorice and coffee. With air this wine became dense on the palate, smoky dark blueberry, orange marmalade, plum, tannin fuzz on teeth and gums. Shiny mid-palate.
Day two: Most excellent on day two, heavy, flavorful and most enjoyable as a drinking wine. There's aging potential in this vintage.
Thoughts: Get up and go! Open and enjoy. I enjoyed this wine at opening and on the second day. A supremely flexible dinner wine, suitable for restaurants and home gatherings. Recommended + Great Value.
ABV: 15.5%
Closure: Natural cork
President, Hillary Trout
Winemaker, Matt Ortman
Sample provided by the winery
SRP: $25
About Villa San-Juliette
Villa San-Juliette Vineyard & Winery recently completed Sustainability In Practice (SIP) certification with the Vineyard Team, a network of farmers that strives to promote sustainable vineyard practices and protect resources valuable to the land and the community.
Launched by Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick in 2006, Villa San-Juliette has made sustainability a focus since its inception, said Winemaker, Matt Ortman. “VSJ is a long-time member of the Vineyard Team,” Ortman recalled, “so we were already following many best practices before pursuing SIP certification.”
When Ortman joined the VSJ team in January, 2013, gaining SIP certification became a priority. “We completed the Vineyard Team’s audit of our growing practices and winery operations, including testing our well pump for efficiency. We made some important changes in erosion control and integrated pest management – specifically, installing more owl boxes – and were SIP certified within a year of my hire date.”
Villa San-Juliette is the vision of television producers Ken Warwick and Nigel Lythgoe who believe in bringing the best talent together to create remarkable experiences.
The Villa opened to the public in October 2012. Nestled on the 168-acre estate with 132 acres of bearing vineyards planted to 11 varietals, provides a gracious setting for enjoying a one-of-a-kind experience in Paso Robles wine country. For more information about Villa San-Juliette, please call 805.467.0014, or visit www.VillaSanJuliette.com.
Villa San-Juliette is located at: 6385 Cross Canyons Road, San Miguel, CA 93451.
Cheers!