Tasting Notes:
Aromas of black cherry ice cream that reminds me of Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia with a hint of white pepper to give it some lovely edge. On the bouche (French for the mouth area), this right down the middle for weight, medium bodied vino has a subtle elegance that surprises on the first sip. Notes of raspberry, blackberry and vanilla all neatly woven together.
Notes of sunshine:
The delicate ruby color invites you to take a sip of this very light and surprising, “yes it’s from Lodi”, Zinfandel. This wine has perfectly balanced ripe dark fruit with a super silky texture and a light acidity.
Fun facts:
We put this in a small bottle on purpose to indicate it’s small but mighty in comparison to typical California Zins. Historically most Zins were pushing 16.5% real alcohol. I mean HOT! This baby is beautifully complex in flavors, delicate and light in character. Up for a fun and funny night? Taste this wine "blind" wrapped in a compostable brown paper bag with some friends and see if anyone can guess what grape it is!
Farm notes:
What a Sin! This vineyard was over 70 years old and malheureusement the vines were pulled up and replaced by a tragically boring and popular variety. Soooo, this is the last Zinfandel ever be made from this vineyard. It's a grown in remarkable place producing a Zinfandel with very complex flavors and a light style. It's the ultimate un zin zin.
Grape history:
Zinfandel's history is as mysterious and clouded more than any grape in the world. Long thought of as the original and uniquely American grape. It was often made in an over the top brash style. For example if 14% alcohol is good then 16.5% was better. If deep red hue is the best then the goal was to make it so dark a lazer cannot penetrate it. If aging for extended time in wood, then pow, add more and use the most resin packed barrels imaginable. We We now think... based on some modern testing it's from Croatia and has exciting history checkered with Barbary pirates and nobility.
Recipe:
This recipe is not a recipe....it's a major hack in creating an amazing experience. My friend and Mastre of Wine Tim Hanni is on the leading edge of taste and food and wine pairing. He is single handedly breaking in a yummy way all the historic and inaccurate myths around what goes with what.
So, red wine and steak the classic combo of all time, right?
Phase Uno: Start your guests with an unseasoned piece of your favorite red meat (or Impossible Burger). Then taste it with Tarbell's Cha Cha Mouche Zinfandel. 90% percent will say I like it, UNTIL they really think about it and the brave will say, mah, brrrr or even yuck.
Phase Duo: Simply squeeze a lemon on the steak with a pinch of salt and try it again with Tarbell's Cha Cha Mouche Zinfandel. Seeeeee Wow, Incredible, right?
Second Myth and Famous F&W Combo: A red wine, often Chianti, with tomatoes or tomato sauce, right?
Phase Uno: Start your guests with an unseasoned slice of tomato. Next, taste it with Tarbell's Cha Cha Mouche Zinfandel. 90% percent will say hmmm not so good!
Phase Duo: Simply squeeze a lemon on the slice of tomato add a pinch of salt and try it again with Tarbell's Cha Cha Mouche Zinfandel. Crazy!!!!
Write back to elf@chachamouche.com any surprises, comments or oopsy's you had with this!
Enjoy!