One of the biggest successes of the California wine industry in the 1970s was taking the red Zinfandel grape and making it into a spritzy, sweet white wine, often in a box. To this day that’s what many people think of when they see the word “Zinfandel,” which is such a shame – because it’s so much better as a red!
Klinker Brick is exactly what I like in a Zin: bold fruit flavors, balanced with acidity and spice. There’s a spicy leathery smell when you pull the cork which made me think this was going to be a very dry wine, but the flavors are actually quite robust: rich blackberry and blueberry mingle with a lively acidity, and a peppery finish that I really enjoyed.
There are so many one-note, too-sweet Zins out there – treat yourself to one with some oomph! While you drink, you can also appreciate that the Felton family has been growing grapes and making wine in Lodi, California for five generations. They’re a winery everyone can get behind.
And finally, what the heck is a Klinker Brick, anyway? From the winery:
Klinker Bricks are highly prized bricks that grace many of the historical buildings in Lodi, including our home. Chosen by Craftsmen architects in the 1920’s for their distinctive qualities, including unique shapes and dark, rich color, they are denser and heavier in weight than regular bricks. “Klinker” refers to the unusual sound that they make when banged together, because of their density. Rich, deep color, enormous density, unique and distinctive features are the same qualities found in our wines.
On my five-cork scale based on taste and value, I give the Klinker Brick Zinfandel four corks! This is one of my go-to bottles, it’s consistently good wine, and available at a great price.
If you’d like to try interesting wines like this, please join me at our next private wine party at Matt the Miller’s Tavern! I host a wine dinner there every month, and we feature several interesting wines, each paired with a delicious course. There are always cool prizes to win, too, so listen Wednesday at 4:15 to win your spot on the guest list, or click here for a chance to win!
