Gnarly Head 2006 Old Vine Zin

*Bottle #41: Gnarly Head Vintage 2006 Old Vine Zin, Lodi Zinfandel 

*Price: $11

*Running Tab: $512

First intentions are the most pure intentions. I think I made that up. Not at all always true, but in the case of this particular blog, it might be so. 

I started writing a bottle a week in order to find the best wine I could get for the best price point. However, my perception of "best" has changed in the past 42 weeks (really!), my no-frills side of wine has skewed somewhat and you should see what I order when I go out. I am not a cheap date if I am drinking wine. Sorry, boys.

In search of my original principles, I'm going to drive that point for not only myself but encourage you to do so as well for the next few weeks. Hey, we're all broke here, we're spending our last dime on gifts for friends and family, the least I can do is help you to do it in stained-tooth style and maybe with a wine slur if you're lucky/consume enough. 

Perfect example. California back-to-basics extraordinaire Gnarly Head Wines. Zinfandel vines in the state of California are some of the oldest growing wine grape trunks in the nation and the varietal is often considered to be American (vitis lubrusca as opposed to vitis vinefera, the European wine grape genus). Bush-approval seal, please. 

Not to rain on California's parade, the Zinfandel varietal actually originally dug its roots into the soils of Croatia. Think that steamy doctor from ER... The grape is also the genetic equivalent of the Italian Primitivo varietal. How unAmerican. 

Zinfandel's flavors and aromas vary due to its location more so than many varieties I'm familiar with as it can take on more jammy, raspberry tones in cooler climates vs. blackberries, black currants and pepper in warmer areas. In Gnarly Head's case, with their warm days/cool nights, they claim the fame of this easy-peasy, accessible and comprehendible grape.

Sourcing from vineyards up and down the Central Coast, Gnarly Head uses grapes from vines ranging in ages 35 to 80 that produce small in size and small amounts of robustly flavored grapes. Allowing the wear and tear of time to kick in, the vines twist, sprout and knot into "umbrellas - truly gnarly heads" of the vines.

And that a story make. 

The nose on the Gnarly Head Zin gives off a hint of alcohol (14.5%), grape juice, licorice and plums. After some time, pepper comes out as well as notes of cola. Sweet, simple and grapey. 

Sweet, simple and grapey on the palate as well. Think Britney Spears, "I'm not a girl, not yet a woman" era. And just like Ms. Spears, this wine will always stay a girl. Juicy, tiny pricks of acidity on the tip of the tongue with plum on the mid-palate and a spicy, fruit-forward finish. 

Plain and uncomplicated, just like how I used to like them... And that an $11 wine make.

Score: 5.5.