2004 Saucelito Canyon Zinfandel Arroyo Grande Valley California. 15.5% alcohol. Very hot. Deep red color, deep hue, excellent cedar, fruit and spice aromas and tastes, medium mouth feel, firm tannins, good balance, long fruit and spice finish, but omigosh the heat. 2* for me; 3 or 4 for those who like more alcohol. 1,261 cases.
Worked well with baked potatoes and aged T-Bone steak.
Regards, Bob
Notes:
Winemaker: In our 2004 Zinfandel, you will taste the individuality and craftsmanship that are the signatures of our estate. Saucelito Canyon Vineyard is situated in the rugged terrain of the upper Arroyo Grande Valley in coastal San Luis Obispo County. Here, atop fossilized marine beds at 800 feet above sea level, our three acres of head-pruned Zinfandel vines were planted in 1880 and resurrected by Winemaker Bill Greenough in 1974. Today, these classic old vines are complemented by an additional six acres of Zinfandel, first planted in 1978. Dry farmed on deep, sandy loam soils, our estate vineyard yields expressive, concentrated fruit flavors with authentic old vine character and the unmistakable accent of Saucelito earth.
Matt Kramer, New California Wine: “Zinfandel has been grown on this property since the 1880s. In fact, when owners Bill and Nancy Greenough bought the property in 1974, three acres of the original 1880 Zinfandel vines remained buried under deep undergrowth. The roots were still alive. So Greenough grafted new Zinfandel shoots to those original roots, as well as planting an additional seven acres of Zinfandel, plus an experimental acre of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec. These vines see no drip irrigation, a rarity these days in California. Happily, this profound labor of love in a remote location pays off in superb Zinfandel, although not much of it. Total production never exceeds 2,500 cases and some vintages see half that. Saucelito Canyon Zinfandel is intense, concentrated wine with soft tannins and, in some years, a slight, classic Zinfandel raisin note. This is one of California’s greatest Zins, bar none.”