WTN: '06 Clockspring Amador Zinfandel

2006 Clockspring Amador County Zinfandel ($9.99 U.S. Whole Foods). Alcohol level: 13.5%. This wine comes from 46 year old vines in Shenandoah Valley, and aged a little too long in new oak.

It gives you a blast of fresh fruit on the nose and upfront. Boysenberry jam, fresh raspberry, and blueberry pie flavor the palate. Tannins build to provide a silky nutty earthiness with nuances of white pepper, nutmeg, and cinnamon that lead to a long finish of toasted coconut vanilla.

We totted this to a nice sit down dinner party last night, and all was enjoyable.

Carl,
There are a couple of wineries in Amador (and Calaveras) who source their grapes from the Clockspring vineyard. They do make nice Zins with the Asian spice and pepper notes that you mention. Also, I have been pleasantly surprised by the QPR of some wines you can get at Whole Foods.
-Shaji

They also make a slightly more upscale one with a Shenandoah Valley app, that sells for five or six dollars more. Haven't seen it in stores or tried it.