Summit Lake Vineyard is on Howell Mountain on the east rim of Napa Valley. Howell Mountain is known for producing robust, in-your-face wines that age well. Summit Lake Vineyard itself is best known for its Zinfandels, but is also producing a Cab that is earning a lot of respect. The wines to be tasted tonight are:
Howell Mountain Zinfandel 2003
"Emily Krestel" Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Petite Syrah 2006
Reserve Zinfandel Port 2002
In the continuing debate over whether Zins age well, Summit Lake's Howell Mountain Zin is evidence that they do. It's got the big fruity attack we all love in Zins and a firm tannic structure. In theory, over time the tannins mellow and there's enough fruit left that the wine doesn't become just another faded Cabernet doppelganger.
The tasting runs from 6 to 8 P.M. and is a casual, walk-in affair. And it's free. Seriously.
4 Flights Wine Boutique is located at 4440 Norton Commons Boulevard.
Tom Johnson is the writer of Louisville Juice. He has no idea whether Zinfandel actually improves with age, because he drinks them too fast. Perhaps someone else has an opinion they'd like to share.
1
Tom Johnson