Price: $10
Maker: Robert Mondavi
Variety: Zinfandel
Packaging: Bottle, artificial cork
Our Rating: 8 out of 10
Zinfandels are less common on the shelf than varieties like Merlot and Shiraz, so we were excited to give Robert Mondavi Private Selection Zinfandel 2003 a try. The aroma was a bit weak, with the emphasis on spice and berry. The flavor had plummy overtones, with a hint of sweet berries. It finished with a bit of oak, spice, and blackberry.
The winemaker at Robert Mondavi Private Selection says,
Our 2003 Zin has plenty of jammy blackberry and plum character to grab your attention. The fruity aromas and mouth-filling, ripe flavors will tempt you with notes of chocolate, violet and peppery spice. Hints of cinnamon, vanilla and smoke linger in the background. All of these seductive flavors come from Zinfandel grapes grown in California’s North and Central Coast vineyards. Grapes from the sunny foothills and valleys of the North Coast impart soft, smooth layers of dark fruit and chocolate, while the Central Coast grapes add aromatic spices. Barbecue some ribs and pop the cork on this food-friendly Zin for the ultimate Zinful experience.
This isn’t a great Zin, or an overly complex one, but it’s a wine that goes down easily and will be tolerated by a many different wine drinkers.