Shamrock Vineyard Zinfandel

If you want a Zinfandel that delivers its elegance in a closed fist, here it is. It’s like a great looking guy wearing a tuxedo a half size too small. It’s ready for action, just not the action it was expecting. The nose is incredibly perfumed, shielding layer after layer of spice. There is a savory aspect here that tempers the fruit, a youthful exuberance that spits in the general direction of Perli and Gianoli vineyards. It’s a brash and brawny wine, with toothy tannins, enough to rope and hogtie a rowdy steer. It’s probably a bit much for the lentil soup, but fire up the grill and throw some rosemary in there with the beef.

A very enjoyable Zin. This wine finds a nice balance between the common “too sweet” and “too dry” extremes which dominate this price range. Fruit flavors of cherry and raspberry (without the tart) allow for a smooth feel. There is a nice mild to medium pepper spice that lingers on the tongue long after. There is also a bit of cedar, but I would hardly call this an oaky wine. Overall I find it very approachable by not hitting any of the extremes. Based on the growing conditions I did expect a bit more spice flavorings, but the long finish almost makes up for it. I think the price point is a bit high but I will be buying again.