Same Name Different Zin

Posted on January 23, 2007 by Sonadora

Another 2004 Zinfandel by Bella, but sourced from a different vineyard than my last two reviews. This is a 2004 Lily Hill Zin. A big wine…15.5% alcohol by volume, a real cork and cost us around $22. The label says it can age for 7-9 years easily. I’m not sure I agree. It was a little tannic, but I doubt I’d let it hang around much longer than another 2 years.

On the nose, there were big blackberries and a bit of a flowery scent. In the mouth there were more blackberries, and as it opened, currants, earth, wood and a hint of vanilla.

As I said, it was a little tannic, and could age. Or you could decant it and it would be beautiful now. After a few hours of being open, this was a smooth wine, with an easy finish. Towards the end, this wine really opened up and showed a big chocolate finish.

I served it with yet another homemade pizza, plain cheese this time, as I had made an extra ball of dough for our company and needed to use it up!

Filed under: Bella, Red, Zinfandel | 1 Comment »

Drinking VA Wines

Posted on January 23, 2007 by Sonadora


Last night we drank one of the bottles we picked up at Swedenburg Vineyards. First, I have to say that I love the fact that the label was drawn by a 10 year old Swedenburg family member. It’s adorable and a really cute touch.

The wine was a 2005 C’est La Vie, A Rose. 12% alcohol by volume, real cork closure and cost us $10 (it was on special, usually is $12, but if you bought 3 it was only ten). A very dry rose, but a style I really enjoy. Many roses tend to be a little too sweet for my tastes, so I’m always happy to run across a nice dry one. This one displays good strawberry and raspberry flavors and would make a great porch sipping wine.

I served with with ham and cheese omlettes, a little bit odd, but Matt offered to cook last night and omlettes are his speciality. It actually wasn’t a bad match, especially with the ham in the omlettes.

Filed under: Rose, Swedenburg, Virginia Wines | 4 Comments »