V-Twin Vineyards: Poker Run "Zin"
2005
Zinfandel, Sonoma County
by Becky Shimek
Ok. Let’s just get this out in the open now. I’m
no wine connoisseur - a revelation which won’t
surprise those who know me. My pallet is neither
trained to detect aromas nor structures. I
couldn’t tell you the age of the vino or the
type of barrel it rested to ferment. But I do
like to drink it…a lot. So when the discovery
was made that a wine company actually stamps a
V-Twin engine label on its bottles, I thought it
was my civic duty to taste – even critique –
this motorcycle-themed beverage.
I went about the tasting prepared with all the
necessary ingredients: one friend, who we
commonly refer to (behind her back) as a wino,
the other included a very yummy, authentic
Italian-style pizza, because I got to ‘keep it
real.’ There was only one ground rule in order
to deliver a respectable review, and that was to
drink one bottle and one bottle only. Full
disclosure: I actually had only one Poker Run
Zin in my possession.
I usually go for most any Rieslings or Pinot
Grigios, so I wasn’t expecting to be embraced by
a Zin. My cohort beat me to the first sip –
‘shockingly’ - thus it was her expression that
gave it away. As she matched my first taste, we
shared that same gleeful outcome: “Wow,” this is
really, really tasty!” Concluding that
this vino is no gimmick.
The Poker Run Zin is very, well, berry.
Lots of flavor packed in one mouthful that goes
down surprisingly easy. No sipping required
here. Maybe it was the hint of caramel and
pepper that provided balance to all the
different fruits: strawberry, black cherry,
raspberry, and plums. Which got me thinking,
fruit is one of the four-food groups. Could this
drink actually be good for me? Further testing
is required.
This vineyard also produces other multiple
award-winning wines including their signature
Zinfandel, V-Twin Zin, and a Bike Week
Merlot. Who knows, maybe the names alone
might just convert a few unsuspecting bikers
to put down their brewskeys for a taste of the
other high life.
V-Twin Vineyards
Santa Rosa, California
www.v-twinwines.com
