Eberle Winery
2008 Zinfandel, Paso Robles
Steinbeck/Wine-Bush Vineyards

GOLD MEDAL: San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
GOLD MEDAL: Lodi International Wine Awards
3 STAR: BevX.com
2.5 STARS: The San Francisco Chronicle

This week we head south, to Paso Robles, and our friends at Eberle Winery, where Gary Eberle continues to turn out excellent wines at great prices vintage after vintage.  It seems like we spend the most time talking about specific vineyards when discussing Pinot Noir (and to an extent Cabernet), but obviously the specific vineyard that the fruit comes from matters for every variety.  For several years Eberle has been making Zinfandel by blending two of Paso’s finest Zinfandel vineyards, Wine Bush and Steinbeck.  Over the years the results have been stellar, with flavors unique to these two vineyards.  The 2008 is no exception.

The 2008 Eberle Steinbeck/Wine Bush Zinfandel is ruby garnet in color.  The nose is dark and intense, with classic Zinfandel aromas of blueberry, cherry, and blackberry, along with a hint of smoky oak.  The palate is rich and focused, with juicy, ripe berry flavors and plenty of spice, along with a touch of vanilla from the 20% new American oak.  This is sure to please fans of California Zinfandel, with just enough acidity to allow it to pair with boldly flavored summer food.  At just over $20, this one fits the bill and makes the perfect BBQ wine.  Stock up on this one and make it your go to wine this Summer!

Variety:  Zinfandel
Appellation:  Paso Robles
Vineyards:  40% Steinbeck & 60% Wine-Bush
Alcohol:  15.5%
Acidity:  0.66
pH:  3.82
Residual Sugar:  <0.21%
Brix At Harvest:  27˚
Date Harvested:  09/09/08
Cases Produced:  1775

Tasting Notes  PDF

About The Winery...

In 1973, Gary Eberle began his career in the wine industry by heading his family’s Estrella River Winery (currently Meridian Vineyards in Paso Robles) and produced 500,000 cases a year at its facility. Eberle’s pioneering spirit didn’t stop there. In 1980, he co-founded the Paso Robles Appellation and in 1983, Gary opened the doors to his own Eberle Winery with the premiere of Eberle’s 1979 Cabernet Sauvignon. Today, Eberle handcrafts 25,000 cases of wine each year from surrounding Estate vineyards. And, after more than 25 years since the release of the Eberle label, the winery consistently remains one of the highest award-winning wineries in the United States.

The German name "Eberle" translates to "small boar." At Eberle Winery, a bronze boar greets every guest who visits the Tasting Room. The statue is the 93rd replica of the original bronze Porcellino cast by Tacca in 1620. And today, the original can be found in the straw market in Florence, Italy. It is considered good luck to rub the boar's nose and toss a coin in the water below. All money collected at the Eberle boar fountain is donated to local children's charities. 

Learn more at www.eberlewinery.com.

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