2008 Roadhouse Winery Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel
Mission Codename: One for the Roadhouse
Operative: Agent Red
Objective: Our Operatives have been clamoring for a great Zinfandel. Rendezvous with winemaker, David Noyes, and procure his latest Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel.
Mission Status: Accomplished!
Current Winery: Roadhouse Winery
Wine Subject: 2008 Zinfandel – Dry Creek Valley
Winemaker: Eric and Eric
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. Sonoma Valley Old Vine Zinfandels, which are characterized by their refinement and balance, are extraordinarily popular with our Operatives.
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – Dark ruby hued, with a slightly opaque core. At the edges of the wine, a ring of light strawberry color encircles the glass. Swirl the wine and it bounces around for a while before settling down. When it does settle, ropey legs meander down the glass.
Smell – This wine leads with a big rush of lush dark cherry, red currant and dried dark red flower petals. After some swirling, additional aromas of blackberry, cedar shavings, dried orange peel, dark spice and black pepper spring forth.
Feel – Cool and light on entry, then softly grippy on the mid-palate as crushed velvet tannins add a spreading dryness. The dryness gradually increases, spreading all around the palate, eventually giving the wine a mid-weight feel.
Taste – This wine bursts with tart black cherry, smoky cranberry, young strawberry and cassis. These flavors sit right atop brambly under-ripe boysenberry, soft cedar and black pepper spice.
Finish – Long and bright and filled with dark berry flavors. After the dryness takes hold, soft black pepper and an easy minerality gradually replace the bright red fruit.
Conclusion – This young upstart of a wine is a real treat! Bursting with bright red fruit flavors and backed by a solid feel and fresh aromas, this is a fun wine to drink. With such a bright palate, this wine lends itself to flexible pairing. Enjoy with grilled meats or a selection of dried meats and hard cheeses. Drinking beautifully now, we expect great things from this wine for the next few years. Not that we’ll be able to hold on to our bottles for much longer, though!
Mission Report:
With the 2010 Harvest and Crush currently underway, we were unable to secure an interview with either Eric. Be sure to keep an eye out for our next Roadhouse sale in the new year. Meanwhile, be sure to read our review (above) – and take some of this great Dry Creek Zin home to enjoy with your Holiday dining!
Wine Spies Winery Check:
The location of the awesome Roadhouse Winery tasting room, in downtown Healdsburg, California, can be seen in this satellite photo.
