Four Vines Maverick Zinfandel

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

It’s not easy being a grapevine, particularly when you’re more than 100 years old and planted in dry volcanic soils.

But it’s some of those old vines, grown in the Sierra Mountains foothills of Amador County, Calif., that are the source for this delicious zinfandel.

Winemakers believe that the finest grapes come from older vines with less production but more intense fruit. Other vines that were a youthful 40 years old also were sourced for this wine.

The result is a very lush and intense wine with plenty of fruit but nicely balanced with earth and spice. It’s probably the best zinfandel we’ve had in a while.

Sherry: “Smooth and fruity, with flavors of black cherry, rose, licorice and coconut.” 3-3/4 stars

Chris: “Notes of cedar and spice with flavors of raspberry, blueberry and vanilla.” 4 stars

Available locally for about $15.

Coming next week: Le Grand Noir Moscato

Alexander Valley Vineyards Sin Zin 2009

By Chris and Sherry Hardie
There’s a story to tell in every bottle of wine, but the origins of Sin Zin are a great tale. It was first made in 1978 for family use only. The label represents a German etching from1843 meaning “The Horn of Plenty.”
The wine became a cult favorite when it was brought to market in the early 1980s. Then between 1984 and 1988 it was not produced in favor of a lighter zinfandel that had about the same success as New Coke. The wine returned in 1989.
This vintage from California’s Alexander Valley is deep and fruity, with a splash of petite sirah added. It’s very big and very smooth, just what a good zinfandel should be.
Sherry: “Big and bold with black cherry, raspberry and a touch of cocoa.” 3-1/2 stars
Chris: “Raspberry and cherry flavors layered in very smooth tannins.” 3-1/2 stars
Available locally for about $13
Coming next week: Ravenswood Cabernet

Murphy-Goode Liar's Dice Zinfandel 2008

By Chris and Sherry Hardie
Three friends named Ready, Murphy and Goode started this California winery in 1985. In 2006, neighbor and friend Jess Jackson of Kendall-Jackson fame bought the winery, but it remains a family operation with Ready's son serving as the winemaker.
The name for this wine came from a dice game played for years at a nearby restaurant, where some of Sonoma County's finest zinfandel growers congregated. The sources for this vintage are Dry Creek and Alexander Valley, which result in a wonderfully balanced wine. Unlike some California zins, this wine is not overpowered with hot alcohol but has rich fruit flavors layered with spice.
Sherry: "Dry and full-bodied with black cherry and raspberry, with a floral rose finish." 3-1/2 stars
Chris: "Notes of fig with flavors of raspberry, cherry and a spicy bite." 3-1/2 stars
Available locally for about $18.
Coming next week: Allure Pink Moscato

Folie á Deux Zinfandel 2008

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

Perhaps it's fate that we tried this California wine with a French label that translates into "delusions in two persons who are closely related" or "double madness." This Amador County zinfandel is just the medicine for our vinifera malady.

The winemaker uses a blend of 80 percent zinfandel, 15 percent petite sirah and 5 percent barbera to create this wine, which undergoes daily racking in early fermentation to soften the tannins. The zinfandel juice is aged in a combination of French, American and Hungarian oak for 14 months.

The wine unfolds with notes of blackberry and spice and has luscious red berry and dark fruit flavors. It's high in alcohol at 14.5 percent, but not hot on the finish.

It's easy to be mad about this wine.

Sherry: "Smooth and fruity raspberry and cherry with floral notes on the finish." 3-1/2 stars

Chris: "Cedar notes, with flavors of cherry and blackberry." 3-1/2 stars

Available locally for about $15.

Coming next week: Nelson Bay Pinot Noir