Zinfandel Sonoma County Seghesio 2023

This is a great example of Zinfandel – ruby red in colour and full of the spicy, lush black fruit.  It is so well made with the high alcohol balanced by fruit, and elegant tannins.

In 2016  I ran two wine tours to California.  We spent a day in Russian River and the Anderson Valley, and visited the prestigious Seghesio Estate.  Our outdoor tasting revealed the ability of Zinfandel to mature with age, and we enjoyed a fantastic buffet lunch washing down the rest of the tasting bottles.

Zinfandel is the same variety as Primitivo, which originated in the Mediterranean.  It needs big food to match its big flavours and structures, and in true Californian spirit, is great with barbecued meats.  A hard flavoursome cheese like Parmiggiano Reggiano is the best match.