WTN 2005 Ravenswood "Todd Vineyards" ZInfandel (Alexander Valley)

The rutted track that runs beside Ravenswood Winery (Gehrke Road) is a beautiful, low traffic route that gives a pretty good climb up into the Myacamas east and north of Sonoma town (for bicyclists). On the way back, I stopped at the (in)famous Ravenswood Winery. I was somewhat impressed=a lot more balance and character in the wines than I expected. I really liked the 2002 Estate Merlot, which already shows some savory and tobacco notes-and only $25.

Another favorite was the Todd Vineyard Zinfandel. Only bottled in June, this lovely Zin was reddish black in color and had a lovely nose-no fumes at all (stay tuned below!). On the palate, the mouth feel was meidum wieght. Thius is not a syrupy thick Zinfandel at all. Instead, there is a lovely, appealing, delicious hit of black pepper. Yum!

Now for the surprise. In the "How high should the ABV go" debate, I would almost always vote for "lower." The Merlot weas in fact well below 14% nominal ABV, and almost all of the Zins were in the lower 14s. The Todd, however, was an amazing 15.7%. No! I am very sensitive to high alcohol. I still remember the fumey Edmeades, for instance. There was no heat, no fumes at all in this Todd Zin! It was still balanced! And, there was not a huge mouthful of monster fruit covering it up either! Strange, indeed. How does he do it?

Only 700 cases made. Available to wine club and at the winery. $34. Charged with buying a bottle of wine as a gift for a retiring City Manager (I'm a municipal bureaucrat), I bought two.

Brian wrote....And, there was not a huge mouthful of monster fruit covering it up either! Strange, indeed. How does he do it? Referring to 15.7% alc!

Hopefully a winemaker here will explain how it is possible to have a high % alcohol and yet not have a huge fruit monster.