2004 Nickel & Nickel Ponzo Vineyard Russian River Zinfandel California. $49.99 from K&L. 14.5% alcohol.
Deep red color, deep hue, lovely fruit and spice aroma with hints of earth, very good fruit tastes, several layers deep, with spice and earthen and chocolate notes, medium mouth feel, great balance of mild tannins and light acidity, long, complex finish with fruit, chocolate, spice and earthen notes. The oak was present but well integrated. A very pretty zin, and the alcohol level was just right for such a rich fruity wine. 4*.
Notes:
http://nickelandnickel.com
33% new, 67% once used French oak, 14 months. 239 cases.
Located in SonomaÕs Russian River Valley, Ponzo Vineyard grows Zinfandel from vines planted around 1920 near the onset of Prohibition. The climate is fairly cool and mild due to the coastal influences, morning fog, and breezy conditions that last throughout the summer. Nickel & NickelÕs 11-acre block is planted on flat, sandy loam soil and is dry farmed, producing deeply concentrated fruit.
The 2004 vintage shows a lot of ripe fruit flavors. The raspberry flavors are fully pronounced with layers of white pepper, vanilla and spice that are characteristic of the Ponzo Vineyard. Plush and smooth, this wine expands on the palate, providing a mouthful of jammy richness. The warm, toasty oak surrounds that richness, which carries on and lingers to produce a long, balanced finish.
CNN Money has an interesting article on the history of this label here.