Four Vines in Paso Robles sources Zinfandel from all over the state to make their wines. What started as a small operation now makes over 
40,000 cases of wine per year. Recently I looked at their Amador Zinfandel and their cuvee which incorporates fruit from a host of places. Today I'll look at their Sonoma Country Zinfandel.
Four Vines 2006 The Sophisticate was made from fruit sourced in Sonoma County. A small amount of Petite Sirah was blended in. This wine was aged for 14 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels. The suggested retail price for this wine is $25.
Rich, ripe jam fruit, bramble and vanilla fill the nose of this Zinfandel. The palate is full flavored, opulent and mouth filling. Dark fruit notes dominate. In the mid-palate, black cherry becomes most the most prominent of these. These fruit flavors are very fresh and really burst from the glass. Clove, nutmeg, and white pepper spice along with emerging earth are part of the finish. This Zinfandel has good structure and a fair amount of acidity. Pair it with bigger foods for best results. Red meats, hard cheeses, and hearty stews come to mind.
What I like best about this Zinfandel is that it's big and bold without being over the top. A solid hour in the decanter really helps this selection show its charms. This wine isn't as impressive a value as the Old Vine Cuvee, or quite as distinct as the Amador County Zinfandel. It does however offer good varietal character, a sense of its Sonoma source and fair value. Drink this one over the next 2-3 years.
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