This Zinfandel from Pedroncelli Winery in the Dry Creek Valley of Sonoma County is bursting with fresh black fruit, a peppery wonderfulness, and lovely baking spices. It’s no wonder, as this family winery has been known and has grown its reputation on the Zinfandel grape since 1947 (its first vintage). There’s a fair amount of new American Oak on the wine for 12 months, but it’s not apparent on the palate, and the 15.5% alcohol and tannins are tame and in balance. Again, no surprise here as the family has been doing this for several generations. I’d say this is the new-old school of California Zinfandel, or one might say “The Zen of Zin” 😉
This is an outstanding wine, beautiful magenta in the glass; lush and velvet on the palate. It was begging for grilled pork tenderloin with rosemary, olive oil, and S&P, and we obliged. We may have topped it off with a Zin, prune, and shallot reduction sauce. Highly recommended.
Side Note: I was particularly delighted to learn the Pedroncelli Italian Family heritage story. Julie Pedroncelli is taking up the mantle as a fourth-generation, and this mostly woman-led winery has reinvigorated the brand and wines. In 1980 cuttings from the original 100+ year vines were used to replant and refresh their vineyards. You can read more of the family story here: https://www.pedroncelli.com/our-story/the-pedroncelli-family/
Click here to read the Julie Pedroncelli’s interview.