2001 Woodenhead Zinfandel (Alexander Valley 'Braccialini Vineyards')

Source: Viscount

Consumption Date: 11/2/2012

Notes: Distinctive aroma of rich, ripe fruit (blackberries, raspberries) with hints of cocoa powder and herbs and a slight tinge of alcohol.  Chock full of rich, ripe fruit notes (more berry fruits) bordering on jamminess, with a prominent milk chocolate note and hints of dry wood, herbs, dry leaves, and an iron minerality.  Finishes long with more chocolate, herbs, and a hint of bitterness.  Mild tannins.

This is a fine example of California Zinfandel.  Although intensely fruity and with the most obvious chocolate note of probably any wine I have drunk, it also possesses a certain elegance, perhaps as a result of age.  It does lack somewhat in complexity as the typical brambly, leafy character of Zinfandel is very muted.  It also has an almost absurdly high alcohol level (16.5%), which suggests some parallels (not altogether bad, but perhaps not ideal either) with Port.  Perhaps this would be better for after dinner than as an aperitif.

Value: Good

2008 Marc Deschamps 'Les Champs de Cri' (Pouilly Fume)

Importer: Rosenthal

Source: Viscount

Consumption Date: 11/1/2012

Notes: Fine aroma of chalky minerality with tangy fruit (lemon/white grape) and a hint of wet fur.  Very crisp and succulent flavors of acidic fruit (lemon with hints of white grape, grapefruit, and perhaps gooseberry) on a solid foundation of chalky minerality.  Finishes relatively long with a tangy, chalky minerality.

I believe this wine is my first Loire Sauvignon Blanc.  As such, it is quite different from any other Sauvignon Blanc I have had.  It is very acidic/tangy, but in a quite enjoyable fashion, with a minimal fruit character, but a very engaging minerality.  It also has distinctive (if not powerful) aromatics that I have not found in other Sauvignon Blanc.  It doesn’t have the opulent fruitiness of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, nor does it have the full, spicy fruitiness that I associate with the best from California.  Nevertheless, I look forward to drinking additional Loire Sauvignon Blancs during the course of this month.

Value: Good to very good