Monday, December 29, 2008

Rosenblum Cellars 2005 Chateau La Paws (California)

I love a wine with a story to tell. This wine from the Zinfandel experts at Rosenblum has a little more than just Zinfandel in it, in fact it has Carignane, Syrah and Mourvedre as well. It is sub-labeled as “Cote du Bone Roan”, because of it’s Rhone blend of grapes, and the bone, well that comes from owner and winemaker’s Kent Rosenblum’s 40 year veterinary career. The label is dotted with paws walking across it and even the cork has paws on it. But this is no funny label wine without purpose, it is seriously good wine. The nose seems simplistic with black cherry, white pepper, plum and licorice root. The palate, on the other hand, shows lots of complexity as these grapes meet. The taste is similar to the nose until it opens, then you get blackberries, cassis and a slight earthiness on the finish. Speaking of the finish it’s long and that’s where the tannins show up (mid-way through) but then it smooths to a long cherry finish. Something that also makes this wine worthwhile is that some of the proceeds go to support animal charities, and drinking with a conscience is never a bad thing.

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