Champagne Wishes: The Sledgehammer 2007 Zinfandel Highly Recommended by Whom You Know
Zinfandel 2007
A new style of big Zin – bold and complex...and their winemaker took no prisoners. Zin lovers weapon of choice. Dark, ripe fruit and surprising complexity make it wise beyond its years. When you take a sledgehammer to Zin grapes, you get intensely ripe and complex flavor that’s a hammer blow to your taste buds.
Sledgehammer + Ripe, dark Zinfandel grapes = Rich, full bodied flavor that will leave you begging for more.
Vineyards & Vintage
The majority of grapes in this Zinfandel come from the Clear Mountain Vineyard in the Red Hills Lake County
In 2007, a heat spike in late August kicked off harvest, followed by a cool dip in September, which slowed ripening and allowed the grapes to develop consistently an evenly. This resulted in Zinfandel with great structure and ripe tannins.
Winemaking
These grapes were aged in a combination of French and Hungarian oak barrels (12% new French) to add complexity to the mouthfeel and a hint of baking spices. Our winemaker added in small amounts of Syrah (9%) and Petite Sirah (11%) for added depth of flavor.
Tasting Notes
Intense aromas of blackberry, black pepper, toasted oak and a hint of brown spice. Bright flavors of raspberry and blackberry fruit with some vanilla highlights from the influence of aging in small oak barrels.
Technical Info:
Appellation - North Coast
Harvest – September 8 to October 9, 2007
Brix at Harvest – 26.4°
TA – 0.58 g/100mL
pH – 3.82
Alcohol - 14.5%
Cooperage - Aged in a combination of French and Hungarian oak for 2 years.
Release – March 2010
The sophisticated Champagne Wishes panel commented:
The Sledgehammer 2007 Zinfandel was a nice surprise. Not generally a fan a Zinfandel, I expected a watery table wine. The Sledgehammer hit home, though. If you aren't familiar with the genre of red Zinfandel, this is the wine to try. This wine is nothing like that sticky sweet stuff most people imagine when they hear the word Zinfandel. This is a bold red that packs a flavorful punch. It's an especially good choice for those intimidated by a more full red, such as Cabernet. With dark, ripe fruit undertones, this wine offers a complexity of flavors that make it a wonderful choice for Zinfandel lovers, as well. Wine lovers will appreciate the berry aromas complemented by the hint of oak from the barreling process. Sledgehammer 2007 Zinfandel pairs well in an appetizer course with fresh-baked bruschetta or an Insalata Caprese. It is full-bodied enough, however, to enjoy with a hearty entree, as well. Pan-seared Ahi Tuna, sauteed pork medallions, or even your favorite beef tenderloin recipe would be enhance by this gorgeous wine. But, to me, this wine calls out for a backyard barbeque. Bold, but not overpowering, the Sledgehammer Zinfandel is a great choice for serving with ribs or burgers, fresh from the grill. Neither the deep red color of the Sledgehammer 2007 Zinfandel, nor its beautiful bouquet, truly prepare the taster for its vivid and complex flavor. Perhaps the name should have given it away. But I was still unprepared for this impressive wine. And, for under $20, it's a steal. Call your friends. Set up a tasting event in your area or in your home. This is simply a wine you have to try to believe.
For a winery bearing the name Sledgehammer, you know not to expect a subtle or soft wine. And so it is that their 2007 Zinfandel packs a wallop just like a sledgehammer does. Upon the first sip, my tastebuds experienced a lively burst of blackberry, plum, raspberry, while interspersed with the kick of pepper and spices. This is a crisp and dry red that pairs nicely with various strongly-flavored cheeses, red meats, and if prepared right, some stronger-tasting poultry too (hint: it'd go nicely with that Thanksgiving turkey). For myself, I paired this wine with a savory and flavorful lamb dish and they complemented each other very nicely. The wine is complex but balanced too, offering different impressions as I drank it. While intensely flavorful, it doesn't overpower. The acidity level is medium and the flavor stayed on my palate just long enough without competing with the lamb, which has its own distinctly strong flavors. This wine also has a good medium body and is not too tannic, like many other red wines can be. So, like its namesake, Sledgehammer, this wine does provide that bang in the beginning but after that, it eases its way to becoming a very balanced and smooth wine.
I cannot believe I've never tried Zinfandel before. I've always had the white zinfandel, but don't know why I've never tried the Zinfandel. It is now on top of my list of wines I need to keep handy. I typically prefer the sweeter reds over the more dry ones. Not this wine. I drank this as slowly as I could to savor each sip. I tried it at room temperature, as well as chilled. It was much better served at room temperature. I paired it with several different dishes and found that it complemented each one nicely. My favorite pairing was with some Indian food. I also enjoyed it with pasta and marinara sauce. I usually drink Indian food with water, but now that I've paired it with Zinfandel, I love it! I've been invited to several fall themed parties and I plan on bringing a bottle of the Sledgehammer Zinfandel with me. With the holiday season is upon us, I know I'll be invited to several holiday parties. I plan to have a bottle of the Sledgehammer Zinfandel in hand to bring with me. This would also make the perfect holiday gift for those avid wine drinkers. I know many of my friends enjoy wine on occasion and I think this would be a perfect gift for them. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to try this wine. I tend to stay in my comfort zone and only drink the wine I know I like. I now have a new favorite to add to my list!
