2011 The Heritage Vineyard Zinfandel

In a recent post about Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin I referenced the Zinfandel Advocates & Producers event happening in late January 2014. Part of the organization's mission to promote California Zinfandel has been to produce a wine from the Heritage Zinfandel project, a series of vines planted at the UC Davis Viticultural Station in Oakville in the Napa Valley.

They've selected some of the best Zinfandel vines from various California wine regions and have planted them to study the grape and to produce the best possible wines from the state's iconic variety.

Each year, a different winemaker is selected to produce wine from the UC Davis grapes, and for the 2011 vintage, it was Scott Harvey, who works out of Napa Valley and Amador County. Harvey produces Zinfandels in the $15-45 range. This one, at $20, is an outstanding bargain if you're lucky enough to find a bottle of it, though attending any of the ZAP events should give you an opportunity.

2011 The Heritage Vineyard Zinfandel
California
$20, 15.2% abv.
120 cases made

Smooth and rich body with aromas of coffee and black cherry. Medium tannins and a long, lingering finish of chocolate-covered cherries. Outstanding balance for a California Zinfandel, and highly recommended. Forget the turkey and usual holiday pairing options--I say that this one really needs a good layout of cured meats and hearty cheeses, particularly on a cold winter night. Lay out a platter of your favorites and sit back to enjoy a Christmas movie with a blanket over your knees.

Note: This wine was provided as a sample for review.