WTN: 2007 "7 Deadly Zins" Zinfandel (Lodi, CA)

Received this Zin as a gift. Nice, full-length, solid, natural cork closure. 14.5% alc./vol.

Deep dark garnet colour with a beet-red hue, especially at the meniscus. It looks fullsome and viscous in the glass. Big, fat, raisiny/blackberry/bramble fruit nose with nice American oak aromatics backing it all up. Plenty of legs with every swirl. A big wine right on the entry; forward fruit with plenty of alcoholic warmth, a ripe and textured mid-palate; plenty of presence; quite sweet but balanced; clean and flavourful on the warm, long finish.

This went very nicely with the grilled beefsteak, vegetable salad and chicory salad side dish.

[James Roscoe]

It's a nice zin at that price point Paul. It has a great name too.

I was thinking of you today. We had a Norton at a winery in Virginia. 70% Norton and 30% cab sauv. It was a very tasty blend. I wonder what you would have thought about it. I liked it, but not enough to buy it ($20!)

Hey James,

Yup! Still wish we would see some Nortons / Cynthianas imported into Ontario, but alas, no progress on that front. That said, I'm still thinking of doing a Norton pilgrimage one day. Might be the only chance to get some.

[Jenise]

Fourteen and a half is actually on the low side these days for Lodi zins. Or heck, maybe California. Someone brought an Opolo zin from California's other hot spot, Paso Robles, to my home last night that weighed in at, GARK, 16.6%. Sweet and low acid: I partook to be polite, but couldn't wait for it to be over.

[James Roscoe]

Zin can often hold the high alcohol Jenise, but that sounds like a gawdawful mess! The Seven Deadly Zins is always a good buy on a budget. The label is cool too.

Paul, in a recent discussion of Virginia Wines http://www.wineloverspage.com/forum/village/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=30805&p=269267&hilit=Virginia+Wines#p269267, left me very depressed about Norton's at least as regards to Virginia. Don't know where you plan to check them out, but please let me know.