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Wine of the Week, September 22, 2013

OZV ZINFANDEL 2009 OAK RIDGE WINERY LODI, CALIFORNIA $13.99


What a remarkable wine! One of the best Zinfandels I have ever tasted! It only confirms that California produces the best Zinfandels worldwide. An interesting aside: DNA fingerprinting has traced the Zinfandel grape to the Primitivo grape as found in southern Italy, and further to a grape in Croatia. OZV (Old Zinfandel Vine) fully satisfies one's expectations: it is dark in color; full-bodied; robust; concentrated; with aromas and flavors of jammy raspberry, blackberry, plum, and mocha, and a hint of smoke (from the oak) and spicy black pepper. It has soft tannins, and a long, smooth finish. Once we have crossed a threshold of taste, there is no going back. OZV is a Zinfandel to which you will compare future Zinfandels.