From the Scherrer Vineyard. Although I’m one of Fred’s “Old and Mature Vineyards” Zinfandel biggest fans, this was my introduction to Scherrer’s other Zin, the “Shale Terrace.”
14.5% alcohol. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Medium dark ruby red. Very expressive red fruit aromas. On the palate, an initial blast of red cherry fruit with interesting overtures of rasberry and green olives. Complex and intense fruit flavors and superb balance. Even more feminine and elegant than the OMV - and with a deliciously concentrated fruit core.
Almost pinot-like in character, this is a food-friendly wine for those who think they don’t like Zin.
At less than $20, an exceptional value in fine red wine. Well done Fred!
Thanks for the note. I really loved this … with a slight edge going to the OMV … but this seems more structured. Despite saying I was not going to open any more bottles, I think I am going to pop one tomorrow. When I did try this, I needed to actually get in the decanter for an hour … was yours open from the get go?
Jason - you nailed my thoughts exactly. I do prefer the OMV over the Shale Terrace, but both are fantastic, and the Shale Terrace does have more structure to it. Still, as far as $20-ish Zinfandels go, I can’t seem to find one that comes even CLOSE to Fred’s OMV.
I was a zin freak in the early to mid 90s … but if I was asked to day, I would list Scherrer as my favorite Zin producer … and that is before considering price … after considering price … forget about it.
I wish I had been buying everything Fred made from day 1.
Has anyone had the 07 Special Cuvee Zin? got a couple and haven’t seen any notes, gotta agree with the OMV being fantastic and probably my favorite Zin I’ve had this year.
Fred doesn’t have the largest customer base (he’s a winemaker, not a marketer). But the customers he has are as rabid and loyal as it gets.
IMO he also makes the best $45 cab (Alexander Valley) in California. I’ll put this one up against any $45 Bord (and I actually like Bords - and have for years, despite my Francophobe rhetoric). All of Fred’s wines seem to have an elegant “old-word” flair.