Rediscovering an old friend you thought was gone

One of the great quality-price-ratio wines to come to market the past few years was the 2007 Seghesio Sonoma County Zinfandel.  Even though it was produced in very high quantities (68,000 cases) it sold quickly.  The wine retailed for only $24 - a 93 point Wine Spectator rating provided the initial push.  When it landed in the Wine Spectator Top 10 "most exciting" wines of 2008 that seemed to seal the deal.  I haven't seen the wine available at retail in almost two years.  Until today.

Lower Falls Wine Co. in Newton, MA continues to climb in my personal list of favorite stores to visit.  They're not the cheapest place in town but nor are they the most expensive.  More importantly, each time I visit I find a bottle or two of interesting wine along with expert recommendations and stories that are priceless.  Last time I was in there they had some half bottles of Felsina Fontalloro on sale and this time they had the 2007 Seghesio Sonoma Coast also in half bottles.

Given the staggered release schedules of various California varietals (Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon) wines from the 2007 vintage have been entering the market for the past couple of years.  Perhaps it's kind of obvious if you sit down and taste them alongside 2006 and 2008, but 2007 is an incredible California vintage across the grape varieties I enjoy most.  You can taste the difference.  There's just something about the vintage that elevated the wines from a lot of producers.

Back to the wine.  I couldn't resist the opportunity to crack one open right away to see how it was showing.  Like a friend you haven't seen in years that's still every bit as fun and kind as you remember them, this wine is still showing extremely well.

The wine still has chalky tannins that are surprisingly apparent considering it's Zinfandel.  What I've always loved about this wine is that it's so full of flavor and sure to please guests, and at the same time it has layers of complexity that reveal themselves if you pay attention.  It successfully avoids veering towards over-ripe/stewy aromas and flavors.  Instead it offers earthy, yet tart, chocolate covered cherries.  It's vibrant and fresh.  Conceals 15.5% alcohol amazingly well.  Highly recommended.

Still a favorite and I'm glad I was able to track some more down.  It had disappeared from my stash long ago.  The only problem you might find with this wine is that there are only 375 ml of wine in the bottle.

Where to Buy:
$12.99 for a half bottle at Lower Falls Wine Co in Newton, MA.  I bought a case and left 9 bottles remaining.  Run don't walk.

Check 'em out:
Lower Falls Wine Co.
2366 Washington St
Newton, MA 02462-1440
(617) 332-3000
http://lowerfallswine.com