2006 Sola Napa Valley Zinfandel

Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of Sola Napa Valley Zinfandel, and I'll admit I was not impressed.  Granted, I am not sure anyone has any business producing Zin in Napa Valley, since everyone knows the best come from Lodi anyway (insert shocked emoticon here), so this one just reinforces my prejudice against wines from Napa that are not Cabernet Sauvignon.

This wine struck me as a bit sketchy from the first pour, very light in color, suggesting not much body which is a problem for such a high alcohol wine.  Initially, the nose was very pungent, with almost sour notes, but after it opened up a bit there were notes of leather, licorice and strawberry with some hints of oak or cedar.  The taste is unremarkable, little more than fruit with alcohol blended in, some notes of sour cherry midpalate and poorly developed tannins for a finish that just say "meh..."  The wine definitely needs time to open up, perhaps some serious time in the decanter (or maybe I'll try my aerator I got for Christmas), but even then there is little about this wine that impresses me.

As for pairings, tonight I'm having teriaki pork tenderloin with some couscous and steamed broccoli, but I'm still mulling opening up another bottle with my dinner, but we'll see.  I would rate this wine a weak 6, and fortunately I don't think I paid a lot for this bottle otherwise I'd be really disappointed! 

Are you ready for some football?

Ok, as a die hard Bears fan, I really see no point to watching the game tomorrow other than for my squares and the chance to wine some money.  But I am going over to some friends for a party tomorrow, and I think I'll bring a bottle of nice red wine but then I had to go to G.B. Russo & Sons, my absolute favorite store in Grand Rapids!  And of course I spend more than I wanted, but I got some nice items for a more festive Italian/foodie fare for the big game!  So, suppose I will bring a bottle of 2008 Coppola Claret which is a good bet for wine and as for food, here's what I picked up:

• Two different kinds of crostini, one with Italian herbs and one plain
• A pound of nice kalamata olives
• Some blue corn and regular corn tortilla chips
• Some aged Stella Asiago cheese
• Some nice aged American Grana Parmesan
• Some cheddar Buffalo wing cheese (with jalapeno and habanero peppers, I tried it and it's very HOT!)
• Some slided dry salami (the kind that's an inch or so in diameter)
• A jar of roasted red peppers, and
• A nice loaf of artisan bread

I suppose a lot of other people are bringing stuff too, but at least I can be sure now that I won't go hungry!