Good Morning Gentle Readers,
The Anderson Valley (Mendocino County) is home of Edmeades Vineyards, many of which are truly old vine, including the oldest vineyard in Mendocino County. Old vines tend to produce smaller, more intensely flavored fruit with limited yields. In theory, and often in fact, that makes for better wine, particularly with respect to Zinfandel.
Although this 2006 is not one of Edmeades specialty wines (single vineyard) it is a remarkably good wine nonetheless.
Winemaker's Notes:
Aromas of black cherries, spice, violets and cola berry are the most prominent; but raspberries, salted apples, coffee and cedar chest are also layered into the profile. Flavors are full, soft and supple, with good intensity of fruit flavors. The berry and cherry flavors linger on the palate until you taste it again; the tartness of the finish goes from cherries, to stronefruit, to minerality. The 2006 vintage has a softness on the palate which is a result of the higher PH and lower acidity in the wine; easy to drink young, or will grow more complex with three to five years of cellaring.
The wine is medium bodied and you'll find an earthy feel with black fruit, spice, and mild pepper on the palate. I was a little dubious of the label claim of raspberry s'mores. I'm thinking: Raspberry S'mores? What? Are they marketing this wine to Girl Scouts? Do the Junk Food Nannies at CSPI know about this? Well, the raspberries are in evidence, which I find to be an interesting touch. And the s'mores? Not so much.
From the first sip to the dregs, this wine is a pleasure. You may want to pick up two bottles because after the first is empty you'll wish you had another. You'll find this wine in the $15.00-$20.00 price range.
As Ever,
TWC
Photo Credit (unless otherwise noted): ©TWC, all rights reserved
