Why Wine: Bonterra Vineyards Zinfandel 2007

Somewhere among my 50 New Year's resolutions (99.9% failure rate) was to leave my wine comfort zone more often as I continue to expand my trapped palate. To do so, I will have to taste, I mean drink, more wines that I never tried or wines I just never liked. So, to start off the new year I opened one of my least favorite wines, Zinfandel.
Zin is one wine that over the years I tried earnestly to enjoy. It just never happened. That was not until I tasted and reviewed a Paso Robles Zin from Agent for Change. Today I opened an organic Zin from Bonterra Vineyards in Mendocino County. I purchased the Bonterra, because I have already reviewed two other of their wines, the Cabernet Sauvignon and the Sauvignon Blanc and enjoyed both.
Color was a dark purple with aromas of red raspberry, blueberry and spice. More intense than the last Zin I tasted and liked, but still not as bold or peppery as most I've had. A lot of berry and some plum, spice and pepper with a long and smooth finish.
The first two glasses I drank with a very good mushroom pizza and finished later while watching the Fiesta Bowl. The wine went very well with the pizza dinner, but I felt it was still not going to go into my list of nice sipping wines. I still though, see and feel the change in my acceptance of good wines that before I would not have finished the first glass. The Bonterra Zinfandel is one that I will buy again. It was also organic, and I am becoming fond of organic wines. It will take a lot of testing or tasting to prove that organic grown grapes makes a difference in quality of a wine and I'm ready to volunteer as a test subject, someday! Price $15

Aging
8 months with 40% in once-used new French and American oak toasted medium plus, 25%
twice-used French and American oak, and the remaining 35% in mostly neutral oak.

Total Acidity 0.61g/100ml
pH 3.65
Alcohol 14.5%
RS: .06
Varietal Content
86% Zinfandel
11% Petite Sirah
3% Syrah
Limited Release of 33,000 cases

Other Reviews:

Travaglini, Gattinara 2001 (Italy)
Carpineto, Dogajolo 2006 (Italy)
Penfolds, Bin 2 Shiraz/Mourvedre 2006 (Australia)
Muga, Rioja Reserva 2003 (Spain)
Buttonwood Grove, Dry Riesling 2006 (NY)
La Corte, Salice Salentino 2006 (Italy)
Damiani, vino rosso NV (NY)
Vina Real, Rioja 2005 (Spain)
Damiani, Pinot Noir 2006 (NY)
Barons de Rothschild, Bordeaux Reserve Speciale 2006 (France)
Clos Du Bois, Calcaire 2006(California)
Heron Hill, Eclipse 2004 (NY)
Bonterra, Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (California) *organic
Babich, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (New Zealand)
Quinta, Da Cortezia Reserva 2004 (Portugal)
Heron Hill, Cabernet Franc Rose' 2006 (NY)
Damiani, Meritage 2007 (NY)
Bonterra, Sauvignon Blanc 2006 (California) *organic
Henry Estate, Oregon Pinot Noir 2006 (Oregon)
Lindemans, Bin 40 Merlot 2007 (Australia)
Mutuo Rioja Crianza 2004 (Spain) *organic
White Springs, Gewurztraminer 2007 (NY)
Anthony Road, semi-dry Riesling 2008 (NY)
Fox Run Vineyards, Gewurztraminer 2007 (NY)
Cantina Zaccagnini, Montepulciano d' Abruzzo Riserva 2005 (Italy)
King Family Vineyards, Michael Shaps Viognier 2006 (Virginia)
Ravines Wine Cellars, Cabernet Franc 2007 (NY)
Row House Cellars, White Table Wine NV (NY)
Candoni Chianti DOCG 2007 (Italy)
Glenora Wine Cellars, Gewurztraminer 2007 (NY)
Billsboro Winery, Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (NY)
Fox Run Vineyards Reserve Riesling 2008 (NY)
Banfi Chianti Classico Reserva 2005 (Italy)
Lamoreaux Landing, dry Riesling 2008 (NY)
Agent for Change (Martellotto Wines) Zinfandel 2006 (California)
Fulkerson Winery Dornfelder 2007 (NY)
Atwater Estate Vineyards Syrah 2007 (NY)