Ravenswood '06 Big River Zinfandel

The objectives of this blog:

1. Review winery and tasting room visitations
2. Review individual wines
3. Give general insight into the wine making process

So far I really have only been able to accomplish number one, so I'm now branching out to number two. And when I find myself having only time to work, sleep, and blog, I will start to expand on number three.

What I am drinking right now:
Ravenswood '06 Big River Zinfandel
Retail: $35

I opened this bottle a few days ago, after purchasing it a few weeks ago from the Ravenswood tasting room in Sonoma. My palate is no where near developed, so I'm going to refer you to the winemaker's notes on this one!

winemaker's notes:

The 2006 vintage of Big River Zinfandel expresses the most pure characteristics of old vine Zinfandel with a combination of concentration, complexity, and a richness that is unsurpassable. This wine is big, round, and berry filled, with almost a hint of dill, yet filled with jammy and raspberry characteristics. You’ll notice immediately the spicy, plumy character of this particular wine in the nose. Its soft, round, plumy flavors are the essence of old vines expressing their "old vineness."

Ah Zinfandel, the poster child of California wine. One of the first thing I learned about CA wine is that Zinfandel is actually a dark red wine! Who would have known?! The pink-colored rose, White Zinfandel, is what us east coasters think of when we think of Zinfandel. How naive we are. Zinfandels are too big, too fruit-forward for some, but there will always be a spot in my heart for them after having been at Rosenblum for my first wine industry job.

This Ravenswood Zin is delicious. I've just had 2 glasses while watching Say Yes to the Dress and now I'm tearing up at the beautiful brides and the superb quality of this Sonoma Zinfandel.

Cool sidenote: This particular bottle, in addition to all the legal information required, includes these interesting facts that you don't get on every bottle:

Picking date: Sept 23, 2006
Bottling date: June 2008
Total cases: 1655
Total acidity: 0.64g - 100ml

More on total acidity for a future blog post.

Happy drinking!