Trader Joes Grand Reserve Zinfandel Sonoma County Dry Creek Valley Susie's Block Vineyard 2013

I always believe that the more narrowly defined source for the grapes, the better the wine will likely be. I was enthused when I saw this Zinfandel since the label not only defined the source of grapes to be from the Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma County but also stipulated the specific vineyard. You do not usually find that in a $13 wine, so I quickly grabbed 2 bottles from the shelf.

I did not get any distinctive aroma from the wine but it is an appealing deep purple color. This is not a bright, fruity Zin like some I have tasted lately. Instead, this is an intense dark flavored wine that verges on being a little syrupy. The finish is somewhat harsh with tannins and alcohol unbalanced to the fruit flavors.

I drank the first bottle and was disappointed, so I waited 2 weeks and drank the other bottle. My research assistant (aka SC Wine Jane) and I were disappointed both times.

SC Wine Joe rating = 85 points

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