2017 Forgeron Zinfandel

Today was Washington's Birthday, but unlike many government workers, I and many others like me had to work today, so it's time to relax and enjoy a nice dinner and a glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of the latest wine club shipment from Forgeron Cellars, the 2017 Zinfandel.  This wine is a 100% Zinfandel from the Alder Ridge Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA of Washington.  The 2017 vintage was a challenge given the record cold winter in Eastern Washington that year, so let's see how this food-friendly wine is shaping up!

The wine is a lovely ruby color in the glass, just as you might expect from the varietal.  The nose offers and intriguing blend of earthiness and refined fruit notes, smoke, oak and candied cherries get your attention quickly.  The taste is classically Zinfandel, with a rush of ripe cherry, blackberry and blueberry up front that gives way to some notes of vanilla bean midpalate with a hint of white pepper spice as you approach the finish.  The fine tannins are ideal as a base for the long and elegant dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it is a solid contender to challenge the quality of a classic Lodi Zinfandel.  This wine would pair well with a broad range of weekday dishes, from barbecue to burgers, steaks to pizza and tacos.  Tonight I am taking a cue from the Italian connection of this varietal and enjoying this wine with some slow cooked braciole with linguine and topped with shaved Parmesan and fresh basil.  Cheers!