McCay Cellars 2010 Contention Zinfandel
I was told that Michael McCay calls this juice the “Art of Debate.” I can’t wait to hear the details on this. Stay tuned…
A great prelude to tasting, the soil of the vineyard that produces this juice has a great historical oddity. The story goes that 100 years ago there was a train wreck that dumped tons of Hawaiian lava rock into the soil all over the vineyard. I hear you can still pull pieces from the base of the vines. The picture speaks for itself.
I found the nose very classy, yet simple. I wonder if that’s the debate Michael McCay was talking about? I love that this wine is not trying to do too much. Oak and a hint of bramble berry. Everything is subtle. Very mild at first but definitely present. Just as you think its a “dud” like a firework the spices begin to turn up their amplitude. She’s just making sure that you are paying attention to her. That little coy game lasts for quite a while. Very cool adventure. Simple was a good call but classy and elegant may be more fitting. I wish I could afford the price point to store a few for 2018.
Retail: $64.00
(K&S Rating: 5 of 6)
Winemaker Notes: “Contention (definition; the act or an instance of striving in controversy or debate, an assertion put forward in argument) is 100% Zinfandel from this beautiful 80 year old head trained vineyard grown by Robert Lauchland. This vineyard is found on the Westside of the Lodi AVA. This Zinfandel is a perfect representation of the terrior of the Vineyard. Sultry and complex with layer after layer are just the start of the beautiful wine. Earth, Dust and Mineral are the major components of this unique Zinfandel. Production: 177 cases / Unfiltered with native fermentation.”