Glaymond 2003 “Krause’s Berg” Zinfandel, Barossa Valley

Blueberries and spice and everything boozy and nice, right? I mean, that’s Zinfandel, isn’t it?

Well, not always. Last weekend during a wine class, we tasted a most unusual Zinfandel–the Glaymond 2003 “Krause’s Berg” Single Vineyard from the Barossa Valley. Instead of rich, ripe fruit and gently mouth-tingling alcohol and spice, this bottling showed tar and black fruit and the slightest hint of flowers in the background. Kind of like what the lovechild of Cali Zin and Northern Rhone Syrah would taste like.

Unexpected? Perhaps. Addictively delicious? Without a doubt.