Zinfandel is hardly a common variety in Australia and many wineries that make it cannot boast about doing it all that well in my opinion. Amongst other consumers here in Australia I hear everything from 'Zin is a Sin', to 'You have to try the one by XYZ wines... theirs is different!'. It is a totally different story over in California though as Zinfandel is made by hundreds of wineries and your local supermarket will feature whole shelves of the stuff where even a reasonably priced drop is likely to fare well against our best attempts.
However, David Lowe, from Lowe wines in Mudgee, can boast that not only does he make a great Zinfandel, but he has a stack of medals for his latest release and that the vast majority of critics and consumers that try it give it rave reviews, myself included. No suprises then that David spent time during his career in the heart of Californian Zin country, Sonoma County, just next door to Napa.
The 2009 Lowe Zindandel has a lovely aroma of stewed fruits and even licorice becomes noticeable after a bit of time in the glass. As soon as you start drinking this wine it becomes an experience. It is 'full-on' in its flavours and creates a warm sensation on the back of the throat. The tannin creates what I wrote in my notes as a bit of a 'Mr Ed' effect, as your gums dry instantly and you lift your lips up and down to re-moisturise them. After a glass or two I noticed a really pleasant fruit cake like after taste building on the palate and it wasn't too long before I found myself with an empty bottle and wanting more. The price point is likely to stop many over indulging in this drop and as much as I wish you could grab two bottles for $100 or less, David talked me through the vast efforts he goes to in the vineyard for this varietal and any comparisons to Californian Zinfandel prices are simply unfair if you consider our much higher minimum wages in Australia and sheer economies of scale when California alone has a population of 35 million.
Lowe Wines 2009 Zinfandel
Price - $75 from Lowe Wines
Region - Mudgee, NSW
Final Sip - I really enjoyed this wine as it is exactly what I find myself looking for these days when I look upon a wine rack full of predictable Shiraz's, Cabernets and Chardonnays. Something different!
Did you know? Zinfandel is the genetic equivalent to the variety grown in Italy known as Primitivo and Crljenak Kaštelanski in Croatia.
