I have to tell the world about this wine. Mike and Anne Dashe have made a Zinfandel that sits firmly within the French natural wine movement. This is everything Zinfandel is usually not --low alcohol (13.8%) lightly sulfured, organic, lightly colored, unfiltered, un-jammy...it's a beautiful departure from what we've all come to think of as Zinfandel. What's just as remarkable is that Dashe sometimes makes some much bigger Zins, like the always wonderful Todd Brothers Ranch but is willing to put out something so different. Kudos!
The grapes come from Potter Valley in Mendocino County, grown organically amongst white wine vines. Guiness McFadden has been growing in this area since 1970 and has 23 beautiful acres.
In the glass, the color is bright, light red. You might guess this was Gamay, not Zin.
On the nose, it's peppery and floral with a nice hit of cherry.
In the mouth, it's supple and fine but with a light touch. The lower alcohol and judicious sulfur additions make it super clean and quaffable. Highly recommended.
