I mentioned the other day that Cabernet Sauvignon is the first varietal that
comes to mind when I think of Alexander Valley and that’s true. Zinfandel comes second though. It’s easy to get lost in the sea of tremendous Zinfandel coming from neighboring Dry Creek Valley and forget that there are quite a few excellent examples in Alexander Valley too. That would be a mistake. Today I’ll look at the Del Fava Zinfandel.
The 2007 Del Fava Family Winery Zinfandel is made from Alexander Valley fruit. This offering blends Zinfandel (83%), with Petite Sirah (11%), Carignane (3%), Syrah (1.5%), and Sangiovese (1.5%). This wine spent 12 months in a combination of European and American oak; 30% of the barrels were new. A mere 97 cases of this Zinfandel were produced and the suggested retail price is $24.
Starting with the nose, everything about this wine is big. Aromas of dark and spicy berry fruit lead the charge. They continue through the full throttle, all enveloping palate. Cherry, raspberry, plum and fruitcake spice keep coming in waver after wave of flavor and continue to the unrelenting and lingering finish which adds additional spice and hints of sweet Bosco sauce. Excellent acidity keeps this big, bold wine from going over the top.
If you like your Zinfandel big and loaded with jam flavor this small production wine from Del Fava Family winery is a solid entry worth seeking out. As with the other wines made by Scott and his wife this Zinfandel offers a lot of flavor and good complexity for the money. Each release is interesting and I look forward to keeping up with them to see how their wines evolve from vintage to vintage.