The first stop today during the 12 Days of Zin is in Dry Creek Valley. Quivira has been around since 1981 but has undergone quite a few changes in recent years. In addition to new ownership and wine making teams they're now a Bio-dynamic and Organic winery. Since 2005 all of their power needs have been supplied by a solar electric system. They produce an array of different wines, including three different Zinfandels. Today I'll look at their Wine Creek Ranch Zinfandel.
The Quivira 2006 Home Creek Ranch is 100% varietal. It was aged for 10 Months in French oak (20% of it 
new.) Less than 1,000 cases of this wine were produced and the suggested retail price is $34.
Vanilla plum, cedar and eucalyptus lead the nose of this Zinfandel. The palate is full of dark berry and plum pudding notes with a persistent undercurrent of dark chocolate underpinning everything. The lingering finish features hints of white pepper, nutmeg and earthy bramble. Good acidity and firm tannins provide a well structured wine that's approachable and well balanced. Red meats and wild mushroom based dished are both safe bets to pair with this wine.
What I like best about the Quivira Wine Creek Ranch Zinfandel is that it's accessible enough to drink now, but structured enough to improve over the next few years and drink well for several more after that. A fine example of Dry Creek Zinfandel.
Up Next: The 12 Days of Zin Continues!
Check out ZAP The Group dedicated to Zinfandel.