Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everyone is having a great Thanksgiving day.

As you can see the Turkey is done. Ready to carve up the bird, get the potatoes mashed, gravy done and green beans steamed.

I've opened up a bottle of the 2009 Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel to go with the Turkey this afternoon.

Here's some propoganda from the website:

Our family roots are firmly planted in Zinfandel, as our great-grandfather, Edoardo Seghesio, first planted this historic varietal on our Alexander Valley Home Ranch in 1895. Today, we share his passion as we farm over 300 acres of estate Zinfandel in Alexander and Dry Creek Valleys.

This wine combines sites that have produced Zinfandel for over a century with newer sites that utilize proprietary clones and the most advanced viticultural practices.

Vineyard Locations Estate vineyards – Home Ranch, River Road, Lone Oak and San Lorenzo in Alexander Valley; Cortina in Dry Creek Valley.

Vintage Characteristics Overall, 2009 was a nearly ideal growing season with gradual ripening due to cooler temps with daily minimums below the 30-year average. Tannins and flavors developed gradually without the usual heat spikes, but a warm September punctuated the vintage by bringing the fruit to full ripeness.

Vineyard Regime Aggressive hand canopy management was maintained; both a green harvest and veraison thinning were performed to ensure even ripening and to keep crop loads in balance.

Hand-Harvested September 9th – October 8th, 2009

Average Brix at Harvest 26.5

Fermentation Regime 25% hand punch-down in small open-top fermenters, 50% pump-over fermentation in closed-top stainless steel with delestage and 25% rotary-tank fermentation; maceration time of 10 days

Barrel Regime Barrel aged for 10 months in 75% American (20% new) and 25% French oak

Food Affinities Red sauces, pizza, barbecue, spicy cuisine and a variety of meats

Alcohol –15.0%

Release Date – October 2010

Winemaker Notes: Wild berry patch aromas and scents of freshly baked bread Desired varietal markers of raspberries, blackberries and Zin’s briary spiciness reflect the excellent 2009 vintage Zin’s ever-present acidity enhances the finish and fine, dusty tannins add complexity, mouthfeel and structure Layered nuances of flavor with cracked pepper, tilled soil and a hint of creamy oak Characteristic synergy of components – balanced and elegantly structured

--- Ted Seghesio