Say the word Zinfandel, and my face goes a bit sideways. It is not a wine I gravitate towards…I never think to myself….Christ, a Zinfandel would be SO great right now. Nah - I like my reds light, cool, and gritty.
Zinfandel, also known as Primitivo in Italy, is a thick-skinned black grape that grows in large, tight clusters and is prone to rot. They can be a bit fussy unless they are heavily pruned. They tend to yield too many grapes, which in turn makes it lack in concentrated fruit. In my experience, the average zin will produce a wine that has a lot of berry jam flavour, heavy on oak, lacking complexity and freshness. This grape is most commonly grown in California on old vines, southern Italy, and in Australia. The hotter the region the better - as this grape needs a nice warm climate to ripen fully.1
Many wine drinkers will also see a white zinfandel floating around stores - and it may cause a bit of confusion because it usually will be pink in colour. What happens here is that ‘bleaching’ or ‘bleeding’ the juice off the skins as fast as possible, hence the pink.
It really is exciting for me to add a Zinfandel to the favourite’s list…and I advise you that if you are planning on having a BBQ this summer, you won’t be sorry to have this wine on your table as your partner in crime. Easton Amador Zinfandel is of excellent quality - especially for the price. It has all the big, bold, and spicy flavours that a zin will give you but what is extra special about this wine is an added layer of complex flavours and amazing acidity and freshness that will not fatigue your palate. It’s unusual…and for that, it is my wine of the week.
Bill Easton is the winemaker for all Terre Rouge winery. They make Rhône style wines under their Terre Rouge Label, but also have non Rhône varietals that they make under the Easton label. This wine is made from grapes that grow on their rolling mountain sites that have the classic, vermilion-colored, Amador decomposed granite soil.2
“Freshness has to do with proper winemaking, cellar management techniques, and bottling carefully. This is all French oak aged wine and the wine is fermented dry unlike many Zinfandels these days. The grapes are harvested at just the right time and not overripe.” - Bill Easton
Medium garnet in colour with purple hues, the nose is very expressive with notes of dark plum, blackberries, spice, and wet earth. On the palate, it is rich and luscious with black fruit, chocolate and coffee grinds woven in between. With all of that power, the wine is medium bodied with plenty of acidity, where the medium grained tannins gain power through the mid-palate. Layers of complexity throughout the long finish. So delicious… Drink now or within the next 4-5 years.
Wine: Terre Rouge Easton Zinfandel 2013
Grape: Zinfandel
Alcohol: 14.5%
SAQ Code: 00897132
Price: $26.60
Agent: réZin
