I’m barely containing my excitement for this one, it’s that good.  However, I’ll do my best to cork my immaturity and take a measured approach to this wine’s evaluation and report card.

First, a little about Mazzocco.  They are smallish, very pleasant winery in Sonoma.  While they do produce other varietals than zinfandel, zins are what they do really, really well.

And now, for a recap on all of your favorite subjects:

Sight - “The perfect color for nail polish.” - Sarah.   While I’m not sure what she actually means, it’s a very dark red.  I’m guessing that this is pretty close to what sin actlooks like.

Smell - This is exactly what earth and summertime smell like, all muddled into a nice little cocktail.

Sip - “Bacon fat.  Bacon fat and toast.” - Sarah.  I’m going to have to go ahead and call bullsh!t on this one, Sarah.  While I might be able to get some toast, bacon fat is the last thing that I want in my zin.  Hell, I like bacon fat, it’s what makes my bacon taste so good.   And I can definitely taste some sort of creamy, fatty flavor to this - and it’s good.  I just can’t agree with bacon fat.

Savor - “Bacon!” No Sarah, I’m sorry.  I don’t think that you actually are getting bacon on “savor” portion of this standardized test.  However, what I do think that you may be picking up is a little tartness.  Not much but a little.  I guess I would expect that out of a wine that’s weighing in at 15.7% alcohol.

Swallow - “Very smooth. Pleasant with hints of non-sugary fruit.  Smooth.”  Spot on, Sarah.  I completely agree.

Winemaker Antoine Favero has really outdone himself on this one.  Have you every seen “Once upon a time in Mexico” with Johnny Depp?  Well, there is a scene where Johnny Depp’s character tastes a local Mexican dish that he perceives to disrupt the balance.  The dish is too good.  That’s how I feel about this wine, it’s almost too good.

If you haven’t had the pleasure to try a Mazzocco, I sincerely recommend that you do whenever you have a chance.  They don’t have very much (if any) distribution on the East coast, so you will likely have to pick it up from their store at mazzocco.com.

Cheers,
Ryan