One of the more interesting wines I've had lately. I bought this at a LWS and paid $12. I've never heard of Preston Vineyards (Healdsburg, CA) before, but apparently some of their Zinfandel vines were originally planted back in 1895. They also make several Rhone varietals (Carignane, Barbera and Syrah)
Anyway, I opened this bottle before dinner and started it after I had polished off a bottle of White Crane Merlot I started a few days earlier. Very good stuff too - but a different story. So after about two hrs in the decanter I poured a glass and took a sniff. Wow - pretty funky. Sort of like a handful of raspberries stuffed in a old, sweaty pair of sneakers.
My first taste reminded me of those old Sweetart candies I loved when I was young. Really odd combo for a Zinfandel.
After sipping on this glass for another 30-45 mins, I found that most of the funky aromas has dissipated and I could smell raspberries, brown sugar, violets and some Sweetarts. The flavors were of cherries, dates, raspberries and a touch of cloves. The drying tannins were still evident but soft and mostly integrated. There was also some mild acidity. The finish was moderate to long with a bit of chalkiness. Definitely different - but in a good way. I think this wine could go another year or so before the downhill slide.
Anyway, I opened this bottle before dinner and started it after I had polished off a bottle of White Crane Merlot I started a few days earlier. Very good stuff too - but a different story. So after about two hrs in the decanter I poured a glass and took a sniff. Wow - pretty funky. Sort of like a handful of raspberries stuffed in a old, sweaty pair of sneakers.
My first taste reminded me of those old Sweetart candies I loved when I was young. Really odd combo for a Zinfandel.After sipping on this glass for another 30-45 mins, I found that most of the funky aromas has dissipated and I could smell raspberries, brown sugar, violets and some Sweetarts. The flavors were of cherries, dates, raspberries and a touch of cloves. The drying tannins were still evident but soft and mostly integrated. There was also some mild acidity. The finish was moderate to long with a bit of chalkiness. Definitely different - but in a good way. I think this wine could go another year or so before the downhill slide.
