I first discovered Four Vines back in 2008 at the Cincinnati International Wine Festival. Well, I discovered them in the same sense that Columbus discovered America. They were already around and doing quite well, I just happened to become aware of them then.
And once I discovered Four Vines I became a big fan! Their zinfandel totally knocked my socks off. However, as I remember it, all but one their wines that I tasted back then were priced higher than what I like to spend on a bottle of wine. So I didn’t dwell too much on them, but I knew I loved what I tasted and looked forward to tasting more in the future.
I’m not sure if they’ve changed their pricing strategy since then and now offer more affordable wines, or if I was just totally missing out all this time. But I now have found that they’re putting out some kick ass zinfandel that’s well within my price range.
Their “Biker” zinfandel comes from Paso Robles, one of my favorite California appellations. It’s made with 82% zinfandel, 10% petite sirah, 4% grenache and 4% primitivo.
Smoky black cherry, cedar, raspberry and loads of spices give this wine a bold and exciting nose. There’s nothing subtle about it, it’s downright aggressive (in a good way). The alcohol fumes are a bit strong on the nose too and that’s my only gripe. This wine continues the bold and exciting theme on the palate, where spice-laden, cherry, plum and blackberry flavors are harmonious yet very concentrated. At the same time, it’s not overly sweet (like some zinfandel) and has some earthy, tea-like flavors complementing and balancing the fruit and a heavy dose of baking spice flavors on the mid-palate. The acidity is sufficient and the mouthfeel is nice. It finishes fairly long, with spice and fruit flavors lingering.
Wine: Four Vines, Biker
Variety: 82% zinfandel, 10% petite sirah, 4% grenache and 4% primitivo
Vintage: 2011
Alcohol: 14.8%
Rating: 90
Price: $18.00
Disclosure: This wine was received as a sample.
Find Four Vines, Biker with Snooth
