2006 Nine X Nine Old Vines Lodi Zinfandel – $10

Here’s a wine fact for you, Lodi, California has a similar climate to areas along the Mediterranean Sea and the soil is comparable to the Chateauneuf du Pape region in the Rhone Valley in France. With that said, this Zin is made from grapes grown in a very traditional Lodi style. The grape vines are pruned into free standing bushes or small trees not the typical wire supports you see on most vines and are planted on a square grid nine feet away from each other in all direction, hence the Nine X Nine name. It is aged 18 months in neutral oak to soften the wine and give it a touch of vanilla, the alcohol is 14.5%.

The color is the deep dark opaque red that Zin’s are supposed to have. The nose is dark jammy fruit with a bit of alcohol coming through. It tastes of blueberries, a bit of sweet spices and a late splash of cola. The mouth feel is little watery and the tannins are there, but in the backround. The overall impression is that this is a smooth and soft wine. The finish reminds me of the old-fashioned blueberry soda they sell at Trader Joe‘s.

Now, I must say I tend to like my Zinfandel‘s big and bold, a little on the rough side, and this isn’t one of those Zin’s. But, it is very drinkable, it has a very pleasing flavor, if you like your wines smooth and tasty,  this one is worth a try.