Bottoms Up

It was so cold in San Francisco yesterday that Joel and I packed our bathing suits and drove down to Man Jose to take advantage of the 76 degree heat – and his friend, Jesse, who took pity on us and opened the gate to his apartment complex pool.

Jesse is also a world class barbecuing man, so I brought along a bottle of Coppola’s Director’s Cut 2006 Zinfandel ($24), a gorgeous expression of Dry Creek Valley fruit, to go with his pork ribs and chicken wings.

As most of you know, I rarely drink Zinfandel, but this one is a beauty. Aged in French oak to retain its elegance, it’s got a small amount of Petit Sirah, which contributes to its structure, not to mention its inky color.

I got gorgeous aromas and flavors of black currant, briar and caramel on this wine. And, at 14.3 percent alcohol, it didn’t knock me out. I wish more Zin producers could find their happy place in the 14 percent range.