Wine Review: Bogle 2007 Old Vine Zinfandel

As a vineyard, Bogle has really done a fine job in the past 40 or so years of crafting quality wine at a fair price. And at $11, Bogle's 2007 Old Vine Zinfandel is both very drinkable and affordable.
But what is this "old vine" business all about?

A grape vine can grow over 120 years, but it begins to lose vigor around 20 years or so. Each year beyond, it may produce smaller harvest yields. However, the flavors in each yield may be different or more intense than in younger vines. The "old vine" terminology is not policed or standardized, so a winery could theoretically call 20 year old vines "old." In this case Bogle's Lodi and Amador county Zinfandel vines are between 45 and 80 years - certainly old for California grape vines.

In the glass, this youthful wine takes on a garnet cranberry color and gives off moderate notes of strawberry and spice. There is also a fairly strong scent of alcohol for a wine at 14.5%. The spice really had me going back to childhood - like I was about to bite into a snickerdoodle cookie covered with strawberries and vodka.

So... is it good?

Well it really isn't a stellar start as it hits the palate. The alcohol is just a tad too forceful. Sometimes I wonder if these bottle labels are correct - it feels closer to 20% but the label says 14.5%. When you get past the inital heat of the sip there is a nice cherry and raspberry fruitness cloaked in pepper and oak. It all dissipates in a moderately warm, smoky finish. Try this wine out with some smoked pork ribs or beef brisket.

CONCLUSION:

Bogle's Old Vine Zin doesn't hold a candle to their Petite Sirah, but this is certainly a good wine. Still, for my tastes it is a little hot and lacks some of the complexity I'd like to find in a wine.

3.5 of 5 glasses

On a somewhat related note, I am REALLY looking forward to trying Bogle "Phantom" - a blend of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. Yummy.

Wine Review: Gabbiano 2008 Chianti

Gabba Gabba Hey Gabba Gabba Hey... Gabbiano?

"So uh... Gabbiano... you're a... uh... a Chianti?"

"Yes."

So wait... where's your squat little round bottle in the straw basket?"

"Really? What century is this... neanderthal! Look... I don't have to wear a straw basket just because your oppressive regime says I do... I burned my straw last night. In fact, me and the other bottles all had a good straw-burning party. What do you think about that... oppressor!"

"Uh.... yeah... so sorry about all that straw. You don't have to wear straw to be beautiful. It's okay baby. You don't even have to be in a squat little round bottle... I know what you have on the inside... I know... Gabba gabba I accept you"

Okay that was weird.

SO Gabbiano - in the Chianti region of Italy has one of the most widely available budget reds out there. You can find the 2008 Chianti by this house in most super-markets. I think I picked it up at Wal Mart... classy.

Chianti is - you guessed it - a blend and it is named after the area in northern Italy where the raw materials (grapes) are grown. Speaking of grapes, Baron Bettino Ricasoli (some Italian dude about 150 years ago) created the original Chianti recipe of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Canaiolo and 15% Malvasia bianca grapes.

Back to Gabbiano - At 9 bucks, it's a Chianti well within the rest of our price range and is composed of around 90% Sangiovese grapes with (at least in the '07 vintage) the addition of Canaiolo and Colorino grapes.

The nose reeks heavily of alcohol – surprisingly strong for its 12.5% alcohol content. Actually it smells a bit isopropyl – not great whiffage. There is also some heavy oak, and walnut going on. As it opens up dark fruit scents do come through.

The sip is very dry, but light - not at all full bodied. Nothing too exciting really happens on the palate. There is a nice tart, crisp quality and a pucker effect - like a cherry jolly rancher just sidled up to your tongue. Not a bad pizza wine.

CONCLUSION:

Not bad - not great.

3 of 5 glasses