2021 Wood Family “Big Wood” Zinfandel – Santa’s Pick of the Week
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The Winery
At least this Santa Claus knows who has been naughty or nice and provided me a bottle of the 2021 Wood Family Vineyards “Big Wood” Zinfandel. Wood Family Vineyards, located in eastern Livermore Valley with Rhonda Wood owner & winemaker, has been producing award winning wines for over two decades. You can read more on her background from airline pilot to award winning winemaker at:
https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2016/02/10/wood-family-vineyards-2/
Photo courtesy of Wood Family Vineyards
Her awards are extensive and too numerous to list here in this article. Check out their website at the bottom of this article.
The Wine “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This wine being released during the Christmas season is no coincidence. A good Zinfandel wine will have many of the Christmas spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and of course peppermint. So first on the eyes a medium dark yet translucent brick red coloring with a medium to medium heavy body. On the nose, the only thing missing is the Christmas tree. On the palate this Zinfandel possesses an abundance of fruit, not sweet, but more like preserves of blackberry, plums and boysenberry. Mouth-filling with rich textures provide layers of enjoyment. On the finish the spices dance merrily in the mouth with candy cane flavor and a slight sweet vanilla pipe tobacco and roasted dark coffee. Tannins are present on the back and roof of the mouth on the finish.
The “Big Wood” Zinfandel is higher in alcohol, the 2021 is 16.3% and provides a bold and full body. This wine is 95% Zinfandel grapes from three Livermore vineyards with 5% Petite Sirah. The high natural acidity pairs well with red sauce dishes, mushrooms, pork, lamb and various cheese. This was aged 20 months in 25% new American oak barrels and the balance being neutral. 640 case were produced and is listed at $40/ per bottle.
The Food and Wine Pairing “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Another winter comfort dinner this evening paired with this wine. The dinner was a baked Ziti with Penne noodles. Ingredients were ground beef, garlic, rosemary, red pepper flakes, minced white onions, tomato sauce and mozzarella, Parmesan and Ricotta cheeses. Accompanied with a fresh garden salad and a ciabatta roll. The wine worked its magic with the sauce and beef. A very good and enjoyable meal and wine pairing this evening.
Sláinte,
Michael
December 12, 2023 at 4:32 pm
Nice review, Michael. I always like the Wood Family Big Wood Zins and I’m a Zin freak and collector. Would love to see more reviews on CA zins anytime. Also, nice to finally meet you at the last Wood release party. Cheers! Bob Boice
December 31, 2023 at 2:12 pm
Nice to meet you also. I do a few Zin’s but generally not my preferred varietal. However I will keep a lookout for more in 2024 for you!