 The
2004 Russian River Rouge is a wine I only make on rare
occasion and a wine that only goes out to the wine club
members – the last time was the 1999 vintage and many of you
will remember it well, -- we had so many calls after that
shipment giving us a big thumbs up! It is a blend of Old
Vine Zinfandel and Syrah, both from our own vineyards.
We bottle each of these varieties on their own each year,
but as I am working in the cellar during the season, if a
blend emerges where the combination of the 2 is as good as
its parts and creates something extra special I will craft
just a few special barrels as a treat for our members – 2004
was one of those years!
The Old Vine Zinfandel brings a juicy
boysenberry/blackberry lushness to the wine in both aroma
and in flavor but midway across the tongue the exotic side
of the Syrah takes over. The aromas and flavors are seamless
in their blend but both noticeable as complex layers too.
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