The Tasting Panel magazine

August 2013

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CONSULTING The Cure RENWOOD WINES ENLISTS ZINFANDEL SPECIALIST KENT ROSENBLUM K ent Rosenblum brought Zinfandel to life in California with his eponymous Rosenblum Cellars label, now owned by Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines. Rosenblum wines were, and still are, known for their layers of blackberry jam and mouthfilling depth and complexity. So, when the new owners of Renwood Winery tapped Rosenblum to add his special touch to their Sierra Foothills wine label, rescue came in the form of "Dr. Zin." No coincidence that Rosenblum is a veterinarian, now retired, whose empathetic instincts may be just what Renwood needed. In fact, the Renwood winemaking team and supporting Director of Winemaking Dave Crippen enlisted an internationally diverse group in addition to Rosenblum, including renowned winemakers Italian Alberto Antonini and Napa veteran Jeff Cohn. This collaboration brings an intermeshing of different winemaking methods and international styles. When asked what his particular signature entailed, Rosenblum explains, "Getting grapes right and ripe. I don't pick by the numbers, I pick by flavor." With the ability to use newer barrels and better yeast strains, employing open-top fermenters, punch-down tools, cold-soaking to extract color and phenolics and a warmer fermentation process, the investments in the "new" Renwood wines should be paying off. "We're also farming more wisely," Rosenblum adds, pointing to an incentive program for growers who improve their practices in the vineyards. "If we have to bring production numbers down to better our quality, then that's the direction we'll move." —Meridith May Kent Rosenblum. Zin in Bloom: Our Renwood Top Picks Renwood 2010 Premier Old Vine Zin, Amador County ($20) A selection from three vineyards. Deep, dark cherries and spice make for a ripe, mouth-coating red with a performanceplus acid structure. The coat of dark chocolate adds texture. Renwood 2010 Fiddletown Zinfandel, Amador County ($40) With a 10% addition of Syrah, this multi-layered fruit extraction of a wine is both generous in its explosion of cedar-cherries and pepper and graceful with a wash of fine acidity and reserved tannins. Renwood 2010 "Timberline" Zinfandel, Amador County ($40) Sassy from the start, dark blackberry, currant and road tar pave a road for dusty tannins to kick up a storm. Cinnamon, black pepper, tomato and a touch of salinity add a unique touch. Sourced 95% from head-trained vines planted in 1998 from Diner Karen Vineyard. Great pizza wine! 52  /  the tasting panel  /  august 2013 TP0813_034-65.indd 52 7/24/13 9:48 PM

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