Two from Sonoma

[wondersofwine]

2003 Rancho Zabaco Dry Creek Valley Reserve Zinfandel, Sonoma County
14.5% alcohol paid $22.99 at the grocery story (the Rancho Zabaco Sonoma Heritage Zinfandel was priced at $14.99)

Dense, opaque, purple color. Viscosity. Fruity flavor with some resemblance to cassis. Some tannin present--from oak treatment possibly. Quite tasty. I was unable to place it categorically as claret-like, or fruit bomb or traditional field blend. It seemed to fall between categories. Good with a hamburger/pasta casserole.

2001 Eric Ross Old Vine Zinfandel, Feeney Ranch, Russian River Valley, CA
14.5% alcohol Vines over 60 years old, head trained, and produce less than 2 tons per acre.
Picked up at the tasting room in Glen Ellen where I prefered this over two more recent vintages from Feeney Ranch that were also higher in alcohol.
Both of the wines I was comparing looked purple and opaque looking down into the glas, but the Eric Ross Zin looks bright scarlet with a light from behind the glass. Both exhibit viscosity. A more berry-like fragrace than the Rancho Zabaco Dry Creek Valley. Tastes quite rich and concentrated and slightly mature on the palate. Some would probably categorize this as a fruit bomb but yet it has some balance of alcohol, fruit, and tannins. A suggestion of cedar and tobacco leaf but I don't pick up the chocolate mentioned on the label. Of the two wines, I prefered the Eric Ross but would consider purchasing either one again.