Collier Falls Winery "Private Reserve" 2003 Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley

This Reserve Zinfandel from Collier Falls is 100% Zinfandel grown in their estate vineyard in the northwest end of Dry Creek Valley. The Zin was fermented to dryness at a pretty boisterous 15.8% apv, and then aged for 15 months in mixed French and American oak barrels, 1/3 of which were new.

This wine is a nice medium-garnet color with bright ruby at the edge. Potent aromas of berry jam, white pepper, anise, and oak explode from the glass, with just a touch of heat that is largely masked by the copious fruit. The wine is smooth on entry and unfurls on the palate with boysenberry pie, ripe huckleberry, and red currant fruit accented by spice box, anise, and semi-sweet chocolate notes. Solid acidity keeps things honest and adds a hint of citrus zest to the affair, while almost imperceptible tannins leave the wine completely accesible now. The finish is of good length for Zinfandel, with sweet, briary berries up front, backed by mild spices, licorice, and toasty oak.

This wine is a pretty unabashed fruit bomb, in high-quality, Dry Creek style. Big fruit and big alcohol find a kind of hedonistic balance in this full-throttle Zin that does not feather the throttle, but keeps the fruit notes pure and fresh, without too much raisiny or Port-ish character. For those who like this style of Zin (myself included, in the right mood) this will be very enjoyable. A definite bbq wine, or match up with some aged dry CA cheeses like Dry Jack or San Joaquin Gold. Not a value wine at $28, but reasonable QPR for a tasting room purchase.