2004 Renwood Zinfandel "Old Vine"

Winery: Renwood

Vintage: 2004

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Old Vine"

Wine Category: Zinfandel

Grape blend: 92% Zinfandel & 8% Merlot, Alicante, Syrah

Region: Amador County

State or country: CA

Price: $20

Cases produced: 20,000

KWG Score: 88.2 (based on 5 reviews)

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

Review date: January 13, 2008

Wine Review: The winner of our most recent blind tasting of Zinfandels was the 2004 Renwood "Old Vine" Zin. This dark purple wine opens with a mild boysenberry bouquet with hints of dried leaves, cedar, and root beer. On the palate, this medium bodied wine is smooth, well balanced, tasty, and displays black current and black cherry like flavors with some cloves and pepper as well. The finish is dry, shows fine tannins, and has good length. The panel felt this wine would be a nice option for steak or Sheppard’s pie. It also became obvious that the 2004 vintage is starting to really come into its own now and this "Old Vine" option from Renwood is a terrific representation of where that vintage is at right now. Enjoy - KWGTP

Winemaker Notes: The 2004 Old Vine Zinfandel is comprised of the best selection of Old Vine vineyard lots in the valley, each adding its own nuance and complexity to the final blend. The 2004 Old Vine Zinfandel is dark ruby in color. The bouquet consists of cranberry, allspice, nutmeg and blackberry compote. The flavor has ripe berry fruit on the entry, following with the medley of holiday spices, and finishing with chalky tannins and the vanilla bean from the American oak.

Organic status: not organic