2004 Bogle Old Vines Zinfandel

[Drew]

Vintage: 2004
Vineyards Sources: Lodi, Amador County & Fiddletown
Vineyard Age: 40 - 80 years old
Barrel Program: 10 months American Oak
Alcohol: 14.7%
pH: 3.72
TA: 0.60g/100ml
Release Date: December 1, 2005

WINEMAKER'S NOTES

Head-trained, dry farmed old vines are again the source for Bogle’s Old Vine Zinfandel. These gnarly old vines produce concentrated fruit of unsurpassed quality and intensity. This supple and mouth-filling vintage leads with juicy blueberry and ripe blackberry fruit. Black pepper and hints of chocolate notes integrate well with this soft, plush body. Subtle hints of spicy oak and pipe tobacco create structure, allowing this wine to stand up to a variety of fare. This is the perfect wine to pair with everything from rich sauces and unique dishes, to your favorite weeknight take-out.

I included the winemakers notes as they are right on imho. I wouldn't add or subtract anything...my impressions are the same. That being said my wife, on her first sip, asked "Is this a shiraz?" This Bogle zin, imho, is more like a shiraz/syrah than a zin. Delicious, none the less, but a horse of a different color. $15.

Drew

[Innkeeper]

Always one you can hang your hat on!

[thewoodman]

I agree with the assessment, but are you really paying $15 in the east. I stocked up at $6.99 out here.

[Innkeeper]

We are kind of inbetween here. The '04 sells for $11.99 in the New Hampshire Liquor Stores. $6.99 is a good deal.

[Innkeeper]

Popped an '05 tonight. It was $10.99 in a NH Liq Store, and weighed in at 14.5% alcohol. It is still delightful and somewhat Syrah like. It still amazes me that it can taste like what you think old vines should taste like and still carry a CA appellation.

Had the first half bottle with cheese tonight after services.

[wondersofwine]

California does have some old Zinfandel plantings--more so than with other varieties I would say. Sonoma County has many vineyards from Italian-American families that did not pull out the vines during Prohibition.

[Innkeeper]

Finished the bottle yesterday with some warmed over (isn't it always best this way?) beef stew. All wonderful. Wife and child enjoyed the stew too.