The 14 year-old wine, 2004 Spelletich Cellars Zinfandel Aluiso Vineyard, Amador Valley, at 16.5% alcohol, costing under $16 back then, and scoring 15 points on the 20-point Dionysian scale was just a bit over its peak.
This Big Zin spent 18 months in French and American oak, maybe a little too long. Most Californian Zinfandels have cut way back on their alcohols so the can once again age and pair with food.
Zinfandel is the wine to pair with game. It’s perfect with venison. However, during the late 90’s and well into the 2000’s, Zinfandel makers pushed the alcohol up to dessert-wine levels and changed the category completely. Today, you can find the best Zins in the 14% to 14.9% levels and enjoy them.
It needed decanting. The nose was blackberry and oak. It worked with the burger, but finished quickly. Too much alcohol. In Vino Veritas.
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