An Excellent Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel: 2006 Rued



By Kori ~ November 11th, 2009.

2006 Rued ZinfandelRued Vineyards, located in the Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma County, California, is a small production family winery. The Rued family’s grape growing history extends back six generations to a great grandfather who immigrated to the United States from Switzerland to work the vineyards in the Napa Valley. Subsequent generations have tended vineyards as well as planted their own. Founded by Richard and Dee Rued, the winery’s first vintage was 2004. Richard and Dee’s sons are involved in the vineyards and winery as well. Tom works with his father cultivating their estate vineyard in the Dry Creek Valley as well as leased vineyards in the Alexander Valley and the Russian River Valley, while Steve and his wife Sonia serve as winemakers.

We recently had the opportunity to taste Rued’s most recent Zinfandel release and it was excellent. In addition to its high quality, it also delivers the most bang for your buck with a QPR rating of 5. Too often I find Zinfandel, particularly California Zinfandel, to have a high alcohol content which can cause the wine to be off balance and feel hot going down. This wine is well-balanced and smooth, definitely not a throat-burner.

The grapes for the 2006 Rued Zinfandel were sourced from the oldest part of Rued’s Dry Creek Valley estate vineyard which is located in the eastern part of Dry Creek Valley. Their Dry Creek Valley estate vineyard was planted by the Rued family in the 1950’s.

2006 Rued Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley, CA): Deep ruby red and very aromatic. Grape syrup aromas lead to black fruit and plum flavors and a hint of spice. Medium to full-bodied and lively, with medium to high tannins and a long finish. Big and bold yet smooth and well-balanced. Not a throat-burner like so many Zins. ABV: 14.9%.
Quality: 4 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample; Winery, $25


Filed under: California Wine, Five-Bangs For Your Buck Wines, Red Wine, Wines Over $25, Zinfandel

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