Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel Review

Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel

Zinfandel Tasting, Park Hill Golf Course
September 28th, 2010


Off the bat I must confess that going into the Zinfandel Tasting, domestic Zins and I were on a "so-so" basis. I was used to the high alcohol, almost abrasive fruit structured that ultimatley finished with more alcohol on the back, massive Californian monster wines. So going into a tasting of over 170 Zins, I was sceptic. Starting off I met up with my good friend and fellow co-worker Mats who if you know Mats, you know how much he loves wine, especially Zins. I figured if I could tag along with him throughout the tasting that I would tackle the best wines of the night and I was correct. Mats guided me to many different styles of Zins from the old world style Primitivo's from Italy to the bold, earthy, lush-fruited Zins of Dry Creek. I had many favorites throughout the tasting but one in particular I thought was drinking exceptionall well, the Bogle "Old Vine" Zin from California.

Even after tasting a variety of Zins (which is about as straining on your palate as it gets) the nose on the Bogle still showed through: bright raspberry fruit and oak with underlying vanilla spice without the expected heat from the almost 15% ALC. The drink was long, starting with an intense mouthfeel rich with ripe cherries and black raspberry fruits that lead into silky tanins and a delightful, lingering chocolate covered raspberry finish. For a wine to stand out amoungst 170 of it's cousins is impressive alone, but then seeing the $10.99 price tag set me over the edge. The other charateristic about this wine that stuck with me was it's ability to pair with food but also make an amazing wine to drink on it's own. Some of the Zins during the tasting were so alcoholic and "hot" that I swore I was handed a Zin-flavored vodka martini, to have a balance between structure and acidity while the alcohol still wasn't overwhelming the delicate fruit profile is to me what makes a good Zin, and the Bogle Old Vine Zin is one, good, ZIN.


Cheers,
Casey Capper

Posted by Mark Fetter on October 4th, 2010 | Permalink