My Friend Moose and a New Zinfandel

On a trek to meet as many Wine Dogs as possible on our recent trip to Sonoma and Napa Valley, this Rampant Oenophile and Mrs. Oenophile revisited BR Cohn Winery to see Moose, who friends will recall from a post in 2008. Moose is a dear friend of this Rampant Oenophile and unofficial greeter at BR Cohn’s beautiful visitor center.

Sadly, not long after my last visit, Moose passed on, though he is terrifically remembered by visitors for his presence in whimsical sculptures by Patrick Amiot near the visitor’s center.

BR Cohn retired Moose’s Red after Moose’s passing, so I will cherish my last bottle in honor of that four-legged friend. On a happier note during our visit, BR Cohn was pouring a new release, the 2008 Sonoma Valley Zinfandel, which celebrates the wonderful fruit crushed that year. It’s a rich, brash, full figured wine with ripe cherries, plums, and winter fruit up front, surprisingly light notes on the tongue, and an easy spicy finish. You’ll linger on peppers and currants at the end for a great balanced wine. The wine steward in the tasting room suggests it will store nicely and continue to develop, but also suggested that it be able to breathe a bit before enjoying with big foods. I’ll test that theory on my next bottle! It’s not available on their website yet, but I’m promised it will be soon. For now, I’m the only person in Florida with the vintage, but I’m not sharing…