Displaying items by tag: Old Vine Zinfandel
Wine Pick Oct. 22, 2021
2019 Old Vine Zinfandel
Dry Creek Vineyard
June 19, 2015 Wine Pick of the Week
2013 Old Vine Zinfandel
Bogle Vineyards
California
Alcohol: 14.5%
Suggested Retail: $12
“What is Old Vine Zinfandel? There’s no official definition—not by the government and not by winemakers, either, so there is some speculation that the ‘old vine’ designation sometimes goes onto bottles containing juice from grapes planted not so long ago. In general, grape vines reach the end of their most productive life after about 30 years, which necessitates replanting the vineyard. In the case of Bogle’s 2013 Old Vine Zinfandel, the grapes came from vineyards in Lodi and Amador County (prime Zinfandel country) planted from 60 to 80 years ago. These would qualify as old by any definition.
“The perception held by many is that older vines produce more flavorful grapes. Generally, these older vines are grown in goblet or head-trained style that produces the gnarled appearance like that illustrated on the front label of this Bogle Zinfandel. Most find this traditional appearance more aesthetically pleasing than the efficiency of vines trained on long rows of wire.
“Bogle has been producing an Old Vine Zinfandel for many years. Their 2013 vintage is a delight. There’s plenty of flavor here, but the winemaker hasn't strayed into that ultra-jammy and overly-alcoholic style. This wine exhibits the traditional virtues of Zinfandel in a bright, sprightly presentation and is a bargain, to boot. Aromas and subsequent flavors of raspberries are supported by the nicely-integrated ground pepper quality in the background. Years ago, during a serious and silent analysis of a series of wines, this reviewer noticed a winewriting colleague seated across the table smiling as he took notes on one of the glasses in front of him. At the next break I asked Rod what had caught his fancy in that particular wine. He replied, ‘I don’t know. Some wines just make you smile.’ This wasn’t the more specific response I had expected, but I understood what he meant. It was a better accolade than any of the typical winewriter jargon. The 2013 Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel is such a wine—it makes me smile.”
Food Affinity: “Were this fall or winter, we might make cold-weather suggestions. Now in early summer we’re only thinking of cooking over charcoal. We say try with a London Broil, grilled to medium-rare, accompanied by a baked potato and corn on the cob (Two starches, but that’s ok. Live large).”