2005 Bradford Mountain Zinfandel Grist Vineyard

Its time for zinfandel! That’s right – the air is getting cold, the leaves are falling, and its starting to feel like time for a big American red wine. What’s that you say? Tired of the high-octane Zins? Too much alcohol, and sugar and fruit? Well, there is a growing trend in California for some Zinfandel that doesn’t have to take the paint off the shed, and gives you a nice well balanced wine for under 15% ABV.

Bradford Mountain

This Bradford Mountain wine is just one just option. This wine tends to have a little softer approach, and also maybe a little more rustic. It was medium bodied with firm tannins, blackberries, and tobacco. There were also hints of earth and mushrooms, mixed in with the more typical blueberries and chocolate. There was a nice nose to this wine, that just got better as it was opened.

Additionally, I found this to be a very easy drinking wine. I didn’t feel overblown by the alcohol level and enjoyed the wine through till the end. Now overall, was the wine perfect? No, there were some flaws (maybe a little short on the finish, not as seamless as it could have been). But I think it showed a style of wine that is a move back to the more rustic form of Zinfandel that can be enjoyed with a burger or any number of all-American foods.

So this Thanksgiving, as you reach for the Zin, make sure its not one of the high-octane wine that will just ultimately put you to sleep. Go for something a little different.

My Rating: 91pts

Wine Reviews sonoma, zinfandel