2007 ZD Founder's Reserve Pinot Noir

      We are having several holiday meals/celebrations this year due to family members' different schedules. Today, we had a mini-Thanksgiving type lunch with an herb roasted turkey breast, sweet potatoes, cornbread dressing and green beans. I served this with a bottle of 2007 ZD Founder's Reserve Pinot Noir. Only 750 cases of this wine were produced. The front of the bottle features a picture of Norman deLeuze, ZD's founding partner, who was particularly fond of Pinot Noir. The grapes were all sourced from a six acre block in their Carneros Estate Vineyard which has been certified organic for more than a decade following their founder's philosophy for creating a healthy vineyard environment.

     In the glass, this wine was a sheer garnet red. It had fresh aromas of raspberry, cranberry and black cherry with hints of dried herb and a bit of old leather. It was perfectly balanced with a medium body, medium+ acidity, satiny-smooth fine tannins and 13.9% abv. Flavors of berries, cherries and tea with light toasty notes ended with a medium length finish. It was a perfect pairing with the roasted turkey and delicious on its own. ZD- Zero Defects, proven to be true again!

Comments

Nocera - A Native Grape from Sicily

Nocera is a native grape from Sicily. It comes from the Messina province which is located in the northeast. Nocera is a quality red wine grape that is most known as a blender in the red wines of the Faro DOC. I had the opportunity to taste some pure versions (which according to Wine Searcher are rare) this week at a trade tasting held at Roma Restaurant in Houston. Wine production in the region dates back to the 14th Century BC, however, phylloxera decimated the vineyard area in 1881 leaving it at a fraction of its original size. The area boasts a Mediterranean climate with sunny days and coastal breezes, moderate rainfall, and mild winters, all ideal for grape growing. The Nocera grape is a bluish/black color and has a thick skin which allows for the production of structured wines with prominent tannins which are balanced by good acidity. High alcohol is common. Red wines produced from the grapes are an intense ruby color with purple highlights and aromas and flavors of dark fruits a

The Ultimate Zinfandel Experience - ZinEX

In the September issue of Galveston Monthly, I'm celebrating California Wine Month with the Golden State's signature grape, Zinfandel. I am also sharing information on the ultimate experience for Zinfandel lovers, ZinEX, get more information on that event at https://zinfandelexperience.com/

The New Sub-Regions of Willamette Valley

In the June 2022 issue of Galveston Monthly magazine, I explore the new sub AVAs and what makes each unique.

Wine Life - Houston

Search This Blog