*** I received this wine as a sample***
This wine and I have a frustrating bit of history, as Fed Ex was being very difficult about delivering it to me. After 4 separate delivery attempts and numerous phone calls to Fed Ex Customer Service, the wine finally arrived, but between my Spanish wine course, work events, and various other obligations, it spent a month in my wine rack taunting me. So, on Thursday, after a workday that was stacked with back-to-back meetings and a few unexpected fire drills, it was with great excitement that it was finally my chance to crack open the bottle.
Wine Guerilla collects prime Zinfandel grapes and uses them to craft a wine that he feels accentuates the unique characteristics of the California Zinfandel. The bottles have unique and memorable labels, which are designed by Los Angeles artist, Sean Colgin, and the wines are produced and bottled by David Coffaro Vineyards & Winery.
The 2007 Goat Trek Vineyard ‘Block 6’ Dry Creek Valley (website, snooth) was made with 87% Zinfandel, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Petite Sirah grape, and only 341 cases were produced. It was a deep ruby with a purple hue. The aromas were very pronounced and dominated by baked blackberries and blueberries. There were also cherry, raspberry, cloves, and cinnamon aromas, along with the slightest hint of ginger. In the mouth, the berry and spice mixture had an almost pie filling-like taste that was combined with cocoa dust and something herbaceous. The wine was a little hot, but had medium acidity and tannins, as well as a good, substantial body.
Is this worth a glass after work? Definitely! If you see this wine in the store, grab it; you won’t be disappointed. At $25, this is a reasonably priced, good quality wine. It’s the type of wine that has a nice complexity for the experienced wine taster to puzzle through, while also being approachable to the everyday wine drinker. Admittedly, I drank most of the wine on its own while curled up on my couch catching up on my TiVo’d shows, but it would be a great wine to pair with beef chili, BBQ ribs, or grilled chicken.
Overall: 3.5 Corks
Is it just me or is it much easier to find a GOOD $20-$30 bottle of Zin than most other types of wine?
Cheers!
I've been into "boutique" wines for at least ten years now and I love when I can get introduced to a new one. I just ordered a handful of the Wine Guerrilla Zins and a mixed case of the Caffaro Pinot Noir.
If I don't like 'em, I'm blaming you.
@restaurant refugee – Did you happen to order any of the 2007 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel? It's a blend of 86% Zinfandel, 6% Malbec, 4% Cab Franc, 4% Petite Sirah, and 1% of Alacante Bouchet. It retails for $22.00 and is quite good.
WW–I have had some really good experiences with Zins in that price category as well. Not to say that there aren't other good, affordable varietals, but I definitely agree with you about it being a good price point for Zinfandels.
RR–I'm excited to hear that you bough some of both the Wine Guerrilla Zins and the Caffaro Pinots. If you don't like them, I will take full responsibility…and would be happy to take them off your hands!
Mark–I will look into the 2007 Zin too! Thanks for mentioning it.