2004 Renwood Zinfandel "Grandpère"

Winery: Renwood

Vintage: 2004

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Grandpère"

Wine Category: Zinfandel

Grape blend: 86% Zinfandel, 7% Alicante, 5% Barbera, & 2% Syrah

Region: Amador County

State or country: CA

Price: $35

Cases produced: 1,500

KWG Score: 87.8 (based on 5 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good (89.99-87)

Review date: January 14, 2008

Wine Review: Renwood’s Grandperé showed quite well and was recommended by our panel in our recent blind tasting of Zin’s. This bright red wine opens with an appealing cherry bouquet with hints of earth and nutmeg. On the palate, this medium bodied wine is smooth, very well balanced but not complex, and has delicious boysenberry flavors with a dash of pepper. The finish is very dry, slightly tannic, and very very extended. One panelist thought this very food friendly wine would be a wonderful match with veal Parmigiana. Enjoy – KWGTP

Winemaker Notes: The small crop of 2004 produced a Grandpère¬Æ Zinfandel so concentrated it is almost a syrup. It is a dark ruby color and its complex bouquet is full of rich, generous aromas of raspberry, vanilla and white pepper, with blasts of sweet cocoa and nutmeg. It provides an incredible depth of flavors including intense berry fruit, black cherry and dark bitter chocolate. It has rich, chalky tannins and a smooth but intense finish. This wine should age well for 10 years if carefully cellared.

Organic status: not organic