2021 Ehret Family Zinfandel from Knights Valley
The Winery
Photo from Ehret Family website
The Ehret Family Winery owners are Pierre and Susan Ehret with their three children Alex, Christian and Isabella. They established the vineyard and started producing grapes in 1996 at the Bavarian Lion Vineyards. It is one of the largest estates in Knights Valley consisting of 1800 acres of both hillside and valley floor terrain. Currently 500 acres are planted in vineyards allowing the balance to provide an ecosystem for plants and birdlife to dwell. From 1996 they sold their fruit to some of the more well-known wineries throughout Napa and Sonoma counties. In 2005, they selected the highest quality grapes and started their family brand, Ehret Family Winery. Today they produce various Cabernet Sauvignon’s, Red Blends, Zinfandel, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc wines. Their tasting room is located in Healdsburg at 422 Healdsburg Ave and appointments are required.
Map courtesy from Vintroux https://vineyardandwinerysales.com/
Knights Valley is located in Northern Sonoma County between Alexander Valley and over the Napa Valley border next to Calistoga.
The winemaker is Erin Green who has been there since 2015. Previously Erin has had experience at Sonoma-Cutrer, Vinewood Cellars and Napa Wine Company. She has also blended wines for various premium projects such as Bryant Family, Colgin Cellars, Martinelli Winery and Pahlmeyer. From 2000-2012 Erin was the winemaker and Director of Winegrowing at Pahlmeyer.
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Admittedly not being a big fan of Zinfandel, I was turned around after enjoying this delicious wine! My earlier experiences of Zinfandel were of the “fruit-bomb” characteristics and since then have shied away when given a chance to taste Zinfandels.
First on the eyes, a dark and enticing purple coloring greeted you in the glass. On the nose, aromas of blueberry and freshly picked raspberries exuded from the wine glass to the olfactory senses. At this point my a priori knowledge of Zinfandel was shattered and I was about to experience something wonderful. On the palate, blackberry preserves and blueberries were dominant. Secondary soft tones of licorice and Christmas spices were present (nutmeg, cinnamon). On the finish one of the gentler landing in the mouth with a meaty, fruit but non-sweet and light oak taste providing a fine waltz begging for another sip.
For the 2021 only 125 cases produced and it comes in at 15.5% alcohol. The wine was aged 18 months in 40% new French oak barrels. It received an awarded of 93 points and a Gold Medal at the American Fine Wine Competition. The current release is the 2022 and is listed at $60/bottle and worth every penny!
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
With the temperatures hitting three digits, wanting a cool and refreshing meal last evening. A chicken taco salad was the right choice. Shredded chicken cooked in a slow cooker with spicy salsa on a bed of iceberg lettuce, sliced purple onions, cheddar cheese, roasted yellow corn and quartered cherry tomatoes. The Zinfandel wine with its dark fruit, calmed down the spiciness of the chicken and provided a refreshing wine pairing with the dinner.
This is both an excellent wine for food pairings as well as drinking without food.
This wine will make my annual report for Best Wines tasted in 2024 that comes out in December. I am now a converted Zinfandel fan especially for Ehret’s Zinfandel!
Sláinte,
Michael