Carey and I have always had a fondness for Tres Sabores.
A couple weeks before we were due in Napa for our honeymoon, two of our close family friends enjoyed their first visit to the Tres Sabores. It left such an impression that when we arrived at our hotel St. Helena, a bottle of their Zinfandel, Porqué No, was there waiting for us. Almost as impressive as the colorful, weighty glass bottle was an accompanying big, freshly clipped pomegranate (estate grown!), leaves and all, still hanging from its clipped branch.
I carried our exotic fruit around in my suitcase for the rest of the trip, not really knowing how to neatly bust it open in a hotel room. We got much enjoyment out of just having it as a travel companion. On our final night, I carefully concealed the pom (with limb) in the bottom of my luggage while Carey watched, confused.
C: Rob, are you trying to hide that?
R: Yes, do you think it will be ok? I wrapped it in some t-shirts. Do you think my bag will get searched?
C: We’re not going through customs, you’re allowed to have a pomegranate in your possession, would you be doing that to a banana?
R: I wasn’t sure if there were special rules were about exotics—post-911, and all.
The pom ended up making it all the way back to the east coast, brave little traveler. It came only one day later than both Carey and I, just in time for her to throw against a wall when she got let go on her first day back at work. [That didn't actually happen. But thank goodness the two cases of wine under the plane managed to make the connection. Screw clothes---sorry, hun.]
I’ve had the ’06 Porqué No a couple times in the last year. Something has changed—perhaps the wine, perhaps my palate. Most likely both. In my opinion, this wine has opened up tremendously since my last encounter. Any sharp edges or juvenile greenness, minimal as it may have been, is gone. Tannins rounded and sweetened, and the spice is kicking—Porqué No has matured brilliantly.
Tasting notes, 2006 ¿Porqué No?:
Rich ruby and brick colors in the glass—retains a bit of transparency. Wonderful clarity and polish. Stoney cherry, spicy plum, blueberry, and pomegranates (of course) accented by cinnamon and homemade paper on the nose.
Spice grips the mouth and holds. Alongside the rich fruit, the palate is dressed with brown sugar, soy, and ginger. Unexpected minerality reminiscent of cool, wet, rocks—I crave this in Zinfandel, but rarely encounter such a refreshing note. The fruit has grown in strength as well as cohesiveness. More vanilla than I remember, but hardly the result of being over-oaked, which it most certainly is not.
In a few words, I would describe the palate of this wine as complex, gourmet barbecue. There is a definite working relationship between unique schools of flavor. This is the direction I would like to see American Zinfandel producers take their wines—a nice blend of new and old. It plays a new tone based on a classic sound and adds a lot of spice.
Enjoy!
-Rob
this is one of those cases where I like the title so much I’d buy the bottle based on that alone…why not has to be the best phrase ever on a bottle of wine!
Thanks for the comment! I am going to add a link or two to that post so you can order yourself a bottle! Unfortunately, the chance of stumbling across this wine is not nearly good enough!
Love this and sent it onto Julie at Tres Sabores
we still order it and the Zinfandel from Ho HO Kus real cheap there 19.99 a bottle…
love,
AunT Jeanne
I was lucky enough to “stumble” upon this wine at a Morton’s Steak House (the one in North Miami Beach, FL if anyone cares to know). I was browsing through the reds and saw the title on the wine list. It certainly does stand out and beg to be tried.
Your write-up of it is spot on!! I will definitely be making a purchase. Tres Sabores has a new fan and your blog has a new reader
Thank you so much Kristina! Or is it Kristin A.? That is so cool that this wine made it onto a Morton’s Menu in Miami—very cool! I have been following this wine for about a year and a half and watched it win over many people. If you ever make it out to Napa, Tres Sabores is the coolest little place. The opposite of the prevailing vibe in the valley.
Thanks for the comment! Be sure to send any wine discoveries my way! I am always looking for recommendations.
-Rob