California - Zinfandel 2018 - Gallo Family

Zinfandel

• 2018 - California

• Gallo Family

• Rating: 3.5/5

Wines from the New World tend to be more intense and exuberant than wines from the Old World. This might be due to the local climate, terroir or even the enologist preconceptions on what a wine should taste like. This Zinfandel (called Primitivo in Italy and Crljenak Kaštelanski in Croatia - where it originated from) is a solid example of a rich and intense Red Wine from the New World.

Nose before swirling

Before swirling we already smell intense red fruits with some cinnamon and paprika on the back. Another thing that it’s evident is that this wine is hot to the nose, but not hot enough for it to be its main characteristic.

Nose after swirling

After swirling, the same aromas that could be smelt on the glass before swirling can be identified. Blackberries and raspberries come to mind, like walking through a clearing in the woods in mid-July.

Taste in the mouth

This Wine feels really round to the mouth, with ripe tannins and an elegant acid structure. Its finish is long as it’s expected from a Californian Zinfandel. Due to its balanced acidity and how it interacts with its sugar content, this wine seems to be off-dry.

After smell in the glass

Here the aromas are still hot to the nose, and some animal notes can be felt - maybe due to going through a malolactic fermentation. Also, some spices can be perceived in the glass, something typical of a Zinfandel.

Conclusions:

In Edeka and Rewe, this bottle goes for 4,99€. I find it difficult to get an intense and fruity Red Wine for this price in Germany, most of other similar Wines with these characteristics go for 6,99 onwards. I love this Wine, though it has a problem which is the way it is closed. Instead of having cork, these bottles have screwcaps. This means that this Wine should be drunk soon after being bought (so, no ageing for them). 

But, all in all, this is a good Wine, that won't let you down when you want those complex notes to accompany you while reading a book, or while taking a bath with salts.

As this Wine is more than good, but not enough to be very good, I believe it's a 3.5/5.

(1 = poor; 2 = acceptable; 3 = good; 4 = very good; 5 = outstanding)