DASHE CELLARS DRY CREEK ZINFANDEL - 2004

A blend of 93% Zin, 5% Petite Sirah, and 2% Carignane.

TASTING NOTES:

Cherry-red color with black cherry-raspberry and flowers on the nose. Creamy vanilla, charred oak, cherry cough syrup upfront with baking spices and cherry kirsch on the finish. There's some heat early on that eventually settles down revealing very concentrated and saturated mouthfeel and red fruit flavors.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

89 PTS

This wine reminded me of a lot of mid-priced Spanish wines, believe it or not, because of the purity and clarity of the cherry flavors. Sappy and dense yet fruity and polished. A very solid Zin that is big without being too big and it doesn't suffer from a ton of alcohol. The 14.5% here is actually on the low side for California Zins. Retails for around $15 - $20.