So we all know that Lodi, California is the home of some of the most wonderful zinfandel in the world. (If you didn’t know this, now you do.) But there are some remarkable red blends happening there, too. As a matter of fact, I was more blown away by Oak Ridge Winery’s 2013 OZV Red Wine Blend than by their 2013 Old Vine Zinfandel — no slouch on its own — when I sampled them both recently. Both are around $12 retail.
The OZV Red Blend is made with both zinfandel and cabernet sauvignon. It started with peppery plums in the aroma, and proved to be lip-smackingly fruity on the palate with strawberries, raspberries and plums. Tannins were so soft as to be almost unnoticeable, and there’s a hint of cocoa and leather in the finish. This wine is way too easy to drink!
Better than ZIN, still from Lodi
