This week’s first California Zinfandel – a 2006 Bradford Mountain – hails from the Dry Creek Valley AVA in northern Sonoma County. With its long, warm growing season and proximity to both Dry Creek (a Russian River tributary) and Lake Sonoma resevoir, this region is pretty much perfect for growing both Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc. Indeed, Zinfandel has been grown in the Dry Creek Valley since the early 20th century, and it has, since the resurgence of the California wine industry in the 1970s, become one of the state’s premier Zinfandel (and Sauvignon Blanc!) regions.
The 2006 Bradford Mountain Dry Creek Zinfandel is quite typical of a Dry Creek Zinfandel, with lots of fresh red cherries, raspberries, and crisp red apple, along with a pleasant dash of baking spice, pepper and earthiness to accompany the smooth tannins.
I tasted this wine together with some fresh pasta topped with a new batch of tomato sauce made with more of LM’s heirloom tomatoes and some delightfully sweet Walla Walla onions. Though not a perfect pairing, this wine is very forgiving and can be paired with any number of dishes.
Check it out for yourself. It’s available at K&L Wine Merchants for $19.99/bottle.
3.5 corks popped!
Cheers!
