Tasting - Ancient Peaks Zinfandel

 For my fourth tasting, I asked my friend, Karin, to recommend her favorite wine.  She doesn't know much about wine, in general, but has tasted Zinfandels before and enjoyed them.  As a result, I purchased this specific bottle of Zinfandel to try based on the Kroger Wine Review.  Here's our overall review of the Ancient Peaks Zinfandel!

Name: Ancient Peaks Zinfandel

Variety: Zinfandel

Country of Origin: United States 

Region of Origin: Paso Robles, California

Vintage Year: 2018

Price: $18.99

Kroger Wine Review: Baked blackberry aromas provide intense density on the nose of this bottling, with accents of fennel frond and cola adding nuance.  The palate combines baked earth and sagebrush flavors with black currant and blackberry, with just enough tension holding it together.  (91 pts, Wine Enthusiast).

Wine Folly: Referenced from pages 189 and 190, Zinfandel.  I definitely got scents of blackberry and hickory.  Tastes of tobacco and blackberry on the palate.  I noticed the pale color of the wine, which is characteristic of California Zinfandels.  I did not decant the wine for 30 minutes, as recommended.  

Personal Wine Review:  This Zinfandel wasn't my favorite, honestly.  It was very intense with high tannins and a long finish.  Strong scents of blackberry, blueberry, earth, and. barbeque.  Very bitter and dry taste on the palate.  This wine had a very dark flavor, almost of tobacco. 

Karin's Thoughts:  Karin commented on the acidity and dryness of the wine, "I feel like I need a glass of water."  She tried the wine alongside pasta with red sauce, which she thought was very good.