2006 Wilson Winery Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel
Mission Codename: The Cast Away
Operative: Agent Red
Objective: Operatives have been clamoring for a big, juicy and delicious Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, worthy of their exacting tastes. Send Agent Red to the DCV to secure an ample cache of the best Zinfandel he can find
Mission Status: Accomplished!
Current Winery: Wilson Winery & Vineyards
Wine Subject: 2006 Estate Zinfandel – Sawyer Vineyard
Winemaker: Diane Wilson
Backgrounder: Zinfandel is related to the Italian Primitivo grape, tracing its origin to the Croatian grape Crljenak Kastelanski. Zinfandel is one of the most versatile varietals with the ability to make wines, both rich to fruity, dark to light, and dry to sweet. Dry Creek Valley Zinfandels, which are characterized by their elegance and their rich flavors, are gaining in popularity with our Operatives. Read Agent Red’s tasting notes and mission report below.
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – A deep and juicy-looking ruby red with a heart of pure garnet. Held up in sunlight, this wine shows perfect clarity. When swirled, this wine shows a fast-settling and springy surface, leaving behind tightly packed legs that absolutely crawl down the glass
Smell – Deeply aromatic, with dark blackberry, raspberry, bright cherry and cassis, with soft spices and cigar box, followed by subtle cocoa
Feel – Round and velvet-smooth on the entry, then more grippy on the mid where the wine reveals an increasing richness as ripe tannins settle in as the mouth is coated – making you want to smack your lips!
Taste – Smokey and bright at the same time with a balance of delicious ripe fruits (which echo the nose) and darker flavors which are savory and very tasty. Present on the palate are jammy blackberry, raspberry, blueberry, smoky strawberry and dark cherry, with a gorgeous soft spice and a very subtle mushroomy earthiness
Finish – This wine finishes smooth and ultra-long with balanced flavors of its fruit, spice and a touch of earth
Conclusion – This is a big stunner of a Zin! With bold jammy fruit flavors and elegant spices, this wine is richly layered and deeply delicious. If you are looking for a Zin which is filled with character and long on aromatics and flavors, this is a wonderful selection. With great balance and perfect acidity, this wine is very food-friendly. Diane Wilson impresses us with this great single vineyard Zinfandel. I’m certain that you’ll love it as well.
Mission Report:
The following was recovered from Agent Red’s W.I.N.E. (Wine Internet Nexus Engine) hand held device. It contains entries from his personal electronic field diary. Agent Red is still missing – but is presumed to be fine:
10:09AM : While on a mission in the Dry Creek Valley today, I found myself at the edge of Dry Creek, needing to cross. Normally much more shallow, less wide and more slow-moving, the creek was engorged. Without properly assessing the situation, I decided to cross. I had found a narrow area with a number of evenly spaced rocks which reached from shore to shore. I successfully traversed to the middle – but then realized that I had misjudged the course; I was unable to step to the next rock. It was just too far away. Deciding to turn back, I stepped to the previous rock – and dislodged it! It tumbled noisily into the rushing water. STRANDED!
10:22AM : I am in the middle of the Dry Creek, stuck on a large rock. I cannot figure out how to get across.
10:36AM : I tried shouting for help but I am too far away from any of the neighboring wineries. I tried my phone, but there is no service here.
10:42AM : I am due to check in with HQ in 18 minutes. If I fail to check in, certainly they will begin a search for me.
11:02AM : I can only presume that a search has begun. It should only take H.Q about…. oh, no… twenty-four hours to locate me?!
11:47AM : The water is too cold and too fast-moving to attempt a swim to shore. I am getting hungry – and thirsty.
12:20PM : Recalling the tasting crackers in my daypack, I carefully take it off my back. I am disheartened to find only a few. I feel something heavy at the bottom of the bag and reach down inside. It’s a wine bottle. In fact, it’s a Wilson Zinfandel! Not just any Wilson Zin, this is their Sawyer Vineyard Zinfandel. A 2006 at that!
12:21PM : The crackers are gone. I am reluctant to open the Zinfandel. I may need it after nightfall.
12:22PM : I am going to open the Wilson. I retrieve the opener from my bag. I had been saving this bottle for a special occasion and, well, it does not get much more ‘special’ than survival.
12:25PM : I fumbled the bottle! I screamed, ”Willllll-sonnnnnnnnnnnn!” as I watched it float away. I am now certain that I won’t make it through the night.
12:29PM : I spotted Wilson! It got caught in the branches of a fallen tree. It is bobbing up and down tauntingly.
1:16PM : How can I get that bottle?! Maybe I’ll go mad here on this rock…
1:27PM : The water level is rising. Another few inches and my rock will be fully submerged. I think that I need to make a swim for Wilson. If I die today, at least I’ll die happy.
1:56PM : I am soaking wet and cold – but at least I reached Wilson. My arm is hooked around a branch, and I am clinging to the bottle with the same hand. My free hand alternates between operating my W.I.N.E. device and searching my pockets for my corkscrew!
2:05PM : I managed to get the bottle open. Wilson is providing me with great comfort.
2:27PM : I am wet and I am cold, but I am serenely happy. Wilson deserved its double Gold Medals, no doubt. This wine is a pleasure to drink on its own, and I can’t help but think about how great it would be with a nice tritip.
It is here that the diary entries end. We do have unconfirmed reports from local wineries that they spotted a singing and very drenched figure matching Red’s description. Agents have been sent to investigate.
Wine Spies Vineyard Check:
The location of Wilson Winery & Vineyards – and Dry Creek to the south – can be seen in this satellite photo.
