Featured Wine

     So, it is our opinions that in the sea of Zinfandel, you encounter a lot of bottom-feeders.  Plonk.  Grape jam that is more suited to a cola flavor than a wine.  But when we find a good one we remember why we have trouble keeping them on our shelves.  This year there are two Zinfandels that have really caught our attention; 1) Saldo Zinfandel from Orin Swift which sold out rather quickly, and 2) this little puppy at $18.99/btl

     Quackenbush is a second label of winery Rutherford Grove in Napa Valley (our apologies for originally typing "Rutherford Hill" which is a much bigger and very different winery).  And the label was actually designed by a local Eagle Rock writer/designer who happens to be part of the family.

     From the winery:

Quackenbush Mountain Vineyard sits at an altitude of 2,000 feet on a rocky slope overlooking the eastern shore of Clear Lake. With its ideal red clay and fractured basalt, this location benefits from the cool lake breezes. This slows the ripening process, allowing the fruit to reach the balance and intensity we look for in a mountain wine. Our vines, all heirloom selections of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah, are planted with budwood gathered from some of the oldest existing plantings in California. Our grandfather, Albino Pestoni, and great uncles made their robust wines with these types of grapes under similar conditions… one of the blocks even originates from Uncle Fred's old ranch.

     So why feature this wine?  This Zin is well-structured, surprisingly complex, great by itself, and great with ribs (we just did this pairing tonight...house still smells of it and I may be going back for thirds).  So if you're a Zin fanatic or Zin skeptic, you're are going to love this wine.  Seriously, there just isn't anything not to like.