I thought I was bringing two different wines to a party. Sure they were both California Zinfandels, but they were from two very different vintages (2006 had plenty of rain and a July heat-wave, while 2008 was a drought year with heavy smoke from files), and were from grapes grown in different regions.
The first wine we opened was a 2008 Hess Artezin which is blended from grapes in Amador County, Dry Creek, and Mendocino County. This well-balanced medium bodied wine walked the line between power and elegance. A delicious nose leads to a palette of red cherry, currant, black licorice, and mineral with a suggestion of lime on the finish.
The second wine was the 2006 Renwood Old Vine Zinfandel from Amador County (specifically, the Shenandoah Valley). This wine featured a nearly identical flavor profile, except for slightly more emphasis on oak and less on mineral, and no lime on the finish. Being two years older, this wine also captured the elegance of Zinfandel better than the Artezin. Both of these wines were delicious and easy to drink. And, they were my last bottles of each.
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