2014 Joseph Swan Vineyards, Zeigler Vineyard Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, California, USA

Zinfandel is California`s most distinctive red grape and is one of the few that is considered one of their "own", even though it originated in Europe. Although it has been grown in California for well over a century, it took the popularity of white ("blush") Zinfandel in the mid 1980s to persuade growers to retain their Zinfandel vines and indeed to plant more. Within 10 years, plantings had doubled and Red Zinfandel had become a Californian icon. It is grown all across California though seems to perform best in meso-climates, which combine hot days and cool nights. It has a worrying tendency to ripen unevenly, leaving the producer with a sort of viticultural catch-22 - if he harvests too soon then he has green, unripe grapes, too late and he has dried out raisiny grapes. After vinification, Zinfandel wines are often matured in American oak, which gives them a vanilla dimension. There is no single flavour character that can be associated with the grape - it can produce light, jammy, almost Beaujolais-type wines, redolent of freshly crushed berries, through to full-bodied, robust, oak aged wines brimming with ripe, peppery, cassis-like fruits. The best can age marvellously.

Russian River Valley, California, is renowned for cool-climate varietals like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Its proximity to the ocean and diverse soils create vibrant wines with balanced acidity. Winemakers prioritise sustainability, crafting exceptional wines that reflect the region's unique terroir.