2001 Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel

[Innkeeper]

2002 Bogle Vineyards, Old Vine, California, Zinfandel ($12.99 Belfast Coop). Alcohol 14.5 %. Even though there has been a flurry of articles on labels claiming “Old Vines”, it would naturally raise the antennae when you see it accompanied by the “California” appellation. This is a fine discussion, except when it comes to Bogle. One sniff of this wine and you will know that this is not made from grapes grown on “vines in the valley.” Bogle claims that these grapes were carefully selected from various old vineyards, and we believe it.

It gives you a blast of black fruit (berries, cherries, et al) on the nose and upfront. Then you get huge jammy complexity with restrained oak (say a hint of vanilla) across the palate; and finish lingers and lingers. Hard to beat at $13.

Matched it with country pork ribs cooked in a very disjointed way. I thawed them this morning before I remembered that I had a five o’clock meeting at the library this evening. So, the ribs were seasoned with salt, pepper, and our bbq rub on both sides and baked at 350 degrees for 1 ½ hours, turning once. Then they were basted with Carolina Red Sauce, and left in a warm oven, while I went to the meeting. Returning an hour and half later, I basted the ribs twice for half and hour, turning once, and served with salad in freshly made blue cheese dressing, and the wine.

What a way to spend a Thursday night.