Delfino Vineyards 2012 Zinfandel, Umpqua Valley, $27
The Delfinos traded Northern California for the Umpqua Valley in 2000, and they turned their back on the soft, syrupy and cocktail style of many California Zins with this bottling. The nose brings hint of cherry fruit leather, Red Vines licorice and a whiff of chocolate, but there is added complexity with notes of cherry tomato and red bell pepper. That theme plays out on the palate, which opens with cherry juice, cola and vanilla, backed by more red bell pepper. There’s a wealth of acidity, no sign of residual sugar and the tannins serve to hold the fruit together to complete the finish. Enjoy with pork chops or a ribeye topped with Rogue Creamery’s Oregon Blue cheese.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 257 cases
Alcohol: 13.5%
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