Starry Night Zinfandel Alexander Valley 2009

When Ridge Vineyard winery lost the Nervo Station vineyard to Starry Night Winery, they must have been rather upset. Zinfandel from this vineyard has consistently garnered some of the highest praise from fans and the wine press alike.

Today’s 2009 Starry Night Winery Nervo Station Zinfandel hails from the lush Alexander Valley. The wine is a big, bold, juicy, delicious wine. It drives dark fruit flavors all around the palate - and on into a very long finish. A tad shy, at first, this wine really opens up with some good swirling. When it does come to life, it reveals a complex and well-balanced treat that begs for the companionship of a fine, hearty meal. We recommend a rich pot roast or a grilled, garlic rubbed steak. Stock up on this delicious wine, dear Operative, the Holiday’s are coming!

Look:
Dark garnet hues with a darker core. Coloration is evenly concentrated, from the dark center of the wine, out to the slightly lighter edges of the glass. After swirling the wine, tall, thin, wine-colored legs move very slowly down the glass wall.

Smell:
Dark and lush with a heady burst of sweet spiced cherry, cherry liquor, blackberry jam, blueberry, leather, dark, sweet pipe tobacco, bramble and brown sugar. As the wine opens up, it reveals subtle aromas of green tobacco leaf, fresh bramble and caramel.

Taste:
Darkly juicy, lead by brambly, tart black fruit, dark blackberry, black cherry and plum. Just behind these, sweet tobacco leaf, mixed dark spice, toasty oak and black pepper join in.

Finish:
Ultra long, sweet, tart and lingering, with bold sweet dark fruit slowly giving way to spice, sweet tobacco, slate and black pepper at the tail end.