Plungerhead

2008 Lodi Zinfandel

Notes

Dark purple in color, the 2008 Lodi Zinfandel blend boasts brambly aromas of dried blueberry, black currants, shitake mushroom, and molasses with hints of cardamom and nutmeg spice. This Zinfandel blend then erupts in your mouth with raspberry liquor, Dutch cocoa powder, blackberry cobbler, cinnamon, and cedar with hints of rosemary and roasted Poblano chilies. The wine lingers on your palate with the combination of fruit, spice, and oak adding to its full bodied nature and mouth filling tannins. Then on the finish, flavors develop into mocha latte, toasted marshmallow, sweetened cranberry, white pepper, and deep roasted French oak.

For the past two vintages, we have sourced the Plungerhead Zinfandel from the same 4 vineyards and we are continuing to learn more about these blocks every year. Most of the head trained vines are 30-60 years old on these blocks and only produce 2-3 clusters per cane. The result of this kind of old world farming is Zinfandel with a lot of old vine character. For this vintage the grapes were left to hang until the beginning of October and then harvested around 26-27 brix to obtain maximum Zinfandel flavors. Each block brings a little something different to this blend; one block brings tannic power and depth, one block brings ripe blackberry fruit but not much color, one block lends more spice than the others, and the last block brings chocolate and berry fruit to the blend. The addition of Lodi Syrah adds additional depth and structure, while the Alicante Bouchet from Paso Robles brings deep color. The overall blend brings together a quintessential Lodi Zinfandel with brambly fruit, spice, depth, and toasty oak to stand up to any barbeque or Zinfandel fan.

Pairings

Try this wine with grilled sausages and smoked onions on soft rolls with a dill spiked potato salad, chipotle glazed chicken breast served with pinto beans and Spanish rice, or pepperoni pizza.