Saddle the Sky with this Zinfandel

With the website being updated and the wines not quite yet available on Wine Q, I wasn’t able to get too much information on Sky Saddle Wines.  The few things I discovered were that the winery is committed to purchasing organic or biodynamic grapes and took that dedication even further to make use of eco-certified French barrels and water-based paint for the foils. The label echoes this dedication to preserving the earth, with its shots of sky, water, and vegetation….

I also found that with no tasting room and only about a 1000 cases produced annually (available in a few restaurants and even less stores), once this wine is ready for purchase on Wine Q, you should take full advantage.

This bottle of 2003 Sky Saddle Twin Oaks Vineyard Zinfandel from Sonoma County I received as a review sample had to therefore speak for itself.  The aroma revealed something very sharp initially, with its hint of peat reminding BK of a glass of scotch, a beverage I personally find rather piercing. Later, it took a graceful bow and began dancing under my nose with vanilla, tar, and a brand new leather jacket then waltzed into black pepper, cherry, plum, and finally a greenhouse of sage and other herbs. The palate was nearly as graceful as it stepped from vanilla to cracked pepper to fig and then to an amazing display of chocolate.  We both enjoyed this wine thoroughly, especially with the super easy meal of oven roasted lamb and garlic-paprika potatoes.

I had saved a small amount to try the next day, but it slipped my mind until two mornings later.  However, the wine was still drinkable, without even using the Vacu Vin or keeping it in the fridge, which leads me to believe this one can comfortably age for several years.  The cocoa was even stronger than before, along with a whole shelf of baking spices.

I can only hope Marshall puts this wine on the website soon, as there were only 220 cases made.