This is another good showing from Northern California’s 2009 vintage. This wine is a sleeper among Zinfandel’s from this vintage and it deserves some recognition. Sweet fruit aromas mingle with toasty graham cracker crust, similar to the smells when you par bake a cheesecake. This is not one of those too polished Zinfandel’s that don’t have the structure to hold up to bold cuisines. This wine is full flavored, full bodied and has a deft balance between fruitiness and enough acidity to give the wine some backbone. With a little Petite sirah and Syrah blended into the wine it is layered and complex with a good bit of aging capability. Clocking in with a rather big ABV it does not express that aspect in the flavor profile nor does it sizzle on the lips when sipped upon. This is a great match for smoked meats, hearty tomato sauce based pasta dishes, pizza or rich chocolate desserts. If you know someone that loves Zinfandel you can cross them off your gift list and buy them a bottle of Edmeades Zinfandel. They will be thrilled. Buy yourself a bottle too. Enjoy!

Rating: Very Good (89) | $20 | 15.5% ABV

Find this wine to buy: Vinquire | WineZap.com