So Zin Zinfandel 2003

Price: $10
Maker: Off-Schuetz, Oakville, California
Varietal: Zinfandel
Packaging: 750 ml bottle, natural cork
Alcohol: 14.7%
Our Rating: 9 out of 10

We tried So Zin Zinfandel 2003 at a local wine tasting, and picked up a bottle to explore more fully. Happily, the full bottle lived up to expectations. We admit to leaning toward red wines, and Zinfandels in particular, that combine boldness and complexity. Thus, in both tastings, So Zin was a winner. It offers a rich nose of ripe berry notes, combined with a background of leather and spice. The flavor is what you expect and hope for in a big zin – lots of fruit, mostly cherry in this case, well balanced with black pepper and soft tannins that lead into a long and pleasant finish. While some wine lovers look down on bigger, higher alcohol Zinfandels, So Zin makes a good case for the merits of that style.

We’re not to sure about the Off-Schuetz website, which takes off-kilter humor to new levels. At least we think that’s what it is… for example, the About Us page notes, “French people came over and the rabbits got over marinated in papaya. The cows said, ‘entonnoire’. Then there was no sushi. But there was Saudi Arabian cheese. One day, the cows from the potato chip republic of diagonal parking built four thirteenths of a website with mangosteens. And they became less invisible. With slightly higher resolution. And they drank tequila and ate durian.” I’m not sure what that tells us about the Off-Schuetz. Thankfully, So Zin Zinfandel speaks for itself.