Cantiga Wineworks 2003 Herbert Vineyard Zinfandel

I look high and low for special and unusual wines for my monthly review. So, considering that most of the wines made in the foothills are from small, family owned wineries, there are a few handcrafted and small batch wines that fit my criteria for uniqueness. The Cantiga Wineworks 2003 Herbert Vineyard Zinfandel, with fruit from the famous and historic Herbert Vineyard in Fairplay, is one such wine. Winemakers Christine and Rich Rorden make wines in the old-world style, allowing the wines to develop with minimal intervention over time to avoid malolactic fermentation.

Zinfandel from the foothills is usually big and jammy, but that's not the case here. This zin’ is a beautifully-balanced food wine, similar to a sangiovese in body and appearance, with a subtle spice on the palette and some fresh berry in the nose. Rich Borden recommends enjoying this wine with roasted pork, chicken or venison, and to serve it with dishes that include sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, rich tomato-based barbecue sauces or savory plum sauces and glazes. I love this wine for a change of pace, and I’m sure that you will too!

— Russell Reyes
Russ is a freelance writer who also hosts private wine tours and the monthly Dolce Vino University in Cameron Park.

For more wine reviews, be sure to pick up this month's copy of FoothillStyle. Click on the "Get Your Copy" link on the bottom of this page for some of our newsstand locations. Or, to order a copy of this issue, please email Gloria Schroeder at [email protected], or call her at 916-988-9888 x116.