State of Zinfandel 2012: ZAP Grand Tasting

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State of Zinfandel 2012: ZAP Grand Tasting - RJonWine.com
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2012
JANUARY 30
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tags: Bedrock, Black Sears, Bucklin, Carol Shelton, Charter Oak, Collier
Falls, Deerfield Ranch, Gamba, JC Cellars, Limerick Lane,
Mauritson/Rockpile Winery, Ottimino, Outpost, Puccioni, Ravenswood,
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Ridge, Robert Biale, Storybook Mountain, Tofanelli, Turley, Vino Noceto,
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Wineries Kelowna
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2012 ZAP: GRAND TASTING AND K&L TASTING – The Concourse, San Francisco, and K&L,
Redwood City, California (1/20/2012-1/28/2012)
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This was my first time attending the annual grand tasting of the Zinfandel Advocates & Producers’
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Zinfandel festival. This was the event’s 21st year. I found it a tremendously well organized gathering,
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especially from the standpoint of a media representative, thanks to the terrific program booklet, helpful
lists of the producers arranged by different categories, and four-hour tasting window for trade and
media before the public portion of the event. I also appreciated the quiet room they set aside, lined with
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one or two bottle samples from almost every producer, to which media could adjourn and taste at their
own pace once the main floor got quite crowded by mid-afternoon.
All the prior participants I spoke with were delighted with the event’s move this year from Fort Mason
to the Concourse Convention Center. The new venue has more space, is carpeted (cutting down on the
noise level), has easy access along the side for producers for set up, and is in a more convenient location
in the City, with better rapid transit and parking access.
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In the almost seven-hour time period I had for tasting at Saturday’s event (I took out about 20 minutes
to scarf down a sandwich), I managed to sample 216 wines, 213 of them Zins or Zin blends. The
preceding week, at a tasting event with several ZAP producers at K&L, I’d tasted an additional 14 Zins,
so my tasting notes below comprise a total of 227 Zins and Zin blends between the two events, from a
total of 132 producers.
Some of the highlights for me included Zinfandels from Italy (Accademia dei Racemi) and South Africa
(Blaauwklippen), and extremely old vine Zins from Bedrock, Limerick Lane, Puccioni and Vino Noceto.
The producers responsible for at least one wine that I rated 91 points or higher were Bedrock, Black
Sears, Bucklin, Carol Shelton, Charter Oak, Collier Falls, Deerfield Ranch, Gamba, JC
Cellars, Limerick Lane, Mauritson/Rockpile Winery, Ottimino, Outpost, Puccioni,
Ravenswood, Ridge, Robert Biale, Storybook Mountain, Tofanelli, Turley, Vino Noceto
and Woodenhead.
The most outstanding wines of the tasting, for me, wines that I rated 92 points or higher, were:
2010 Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel Old Vine – 93 points
2010 Bedrock Wine Co. The Bedrock Heirloom – 92 points
2009 Black Sears Winery Zinfandel Estate – 93+ points
2006 Black Sears Winery Zinfandel Estate – 92 points
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2010 Rockpile Winery (Mauritson) Zinfandel Rockpile Ridge Vineyards – 93 points
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2009 Woodenhead Zinfandel Braccialini – 92 points
The range in quality was much wider than I find in the typical large scale tasting. Besides the excellent
wines listed above, and many that were nearly as good, or just a notch or two below, I found several
wines that were virtually impossible to drink, and many that were very high in alcohol, low in acidity
and/or dominated by oak, causing me to score them in the low 80s to mid-70s.
I know that it is hard to grow Zinfandel, in part because individual grapes tend to ripen at very
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different rates. It seems clear from a tasting like this that it is not so easy to make very good Zinfandel
either. I applaud the producers who manage to do so, crafting complex and intensely flavorful wines,
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often from very old, extremely low yielding vines.
For more details on some of the producers, and my complete tasting notes and scores, see below.
Accademia dei Racemi
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This winery in Puglia has Primitivo vines that are 30-40 years old. Their wines had the highest acidity
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of any I tried at the grand tasting, along with a distinctive note of honey on the nose. They were
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probably among the lowest in alcohol too, at 13%.
14
2010 Accademia dei Racemi Zinfandel Primitivo di Manduria Sinfarosa – Italy, Puglia,
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Primitivo di Manduria (1/28/2012)
Barrel sample – focused, honey, berry nose; tart berry, tart plum palate with near medium acidity;
medium finish 87-89 points (87 pts.)
February 2012
2008 Accademia dei Racemi Zinfandel Primitivo di Manduria Sinfarosa – Italy, Puglia,
Primitivo di Manduria (1/28/2012)
M T W T F S S
Medium dark purple red violet color; aromatic, dried herb, tart black fruit nose; dried herb,
oregano, tart black fruit palate with near medium acidity; medium finish (88 pts.)
6
2010 Accademia dei Racemi Rosso Salento IGT – Italy, Puglia, Salento IGT (1/28/2012)
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Barrel sample – intriguing, honey, baked berry nose; tart berry, tart black fruit palate with medium
acidity; medium-plus finish 88-90 (60% Zinfandel, 40% Malvasia) (88 pts.)
Alderbrook
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2007 Alderbrook Zinfandel Three Goose – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek
Valley (1/28/2012)
1st bottle corked
2nd bottle – ripe black fruit, berry nose; oaky, black fruit palate; medium finish (81 pts.)
Alexander Valley Vineyards
2008 Alexander Valley Vineyards Zinfandel Redemption – USA, California, Sonoma
County, Dry Creek Valley (1/28/2012)
ONTOPLIST
Tart black fruit, berry nose; stewy black fruit palate; short-medium finish (74 pts.)
Amphora
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2008 Amphora Zinfandel – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (1/28/2012)
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Focused berry, ripe black fruit nose; baked black fruit, tar palate; medium-plus finish (88 pts.)
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Ancient Peaks
2009 Ancient Peaks Zinfandel – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (1/28/2012)
Tar, herbal nose; tar, black fruit, anise palate; medium-plus finish (88 pts.)
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Artezin
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2010 Artezin Zinfandel Mendocino County – USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino
Touch
County (1/28/2012)
Roasted black fruit nose; roasted black fruit palate; medium finish (w/10% Petite Sirah, 1%
on
Carignan) (83 pts.)
Austin Hope
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NV Austin Hope Winery Zinfandel Candor Lot 3 Hope Family Vineyard – USA,
Jennings: Moscato Madness: Identifying
California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (1/28/2012)
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Deep black fruit, iodine nose; deep black fruit, iodine palate with low acidity; medium finish (80
pts.)
on
B.R. Cohn
2009 B.R. Cohn Zinfandel – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (1/28/2012)
Larry Stein on
Tart black fruit, iodine nose; tart black fruit, iodine palate; medium finish (86 pts.)
Moscato Madness: Identifying the Good
Baldwin
2009 Baldwin Cellars Zinfandel Rattlesnake Ridge Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma
County, Sonoma Mountain (1/28/2012)
VA, grape leather, baked berry nose; grape leather, baked berry palate; medium-plus finish (85
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pts.)
Ballentine
2009 Ballentine Vineyards Zinfandel Old Vines – USA, California, Napa Valley (1/28/2012)
Tart plum, black fruit nose; tart black fruit, tar palate; medium-plus finish 87+ points (87 pts.)
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Barefoot
NV Barefoot Cellars Zinfandel – USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi (1/28/2012)
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Oak, stewed nose; weak, oaky, dried fig, cold tea palate; medium finish (65 pts.)
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Bedrock
I previously wrote here about the remarkable wines being made by Morgan Twain Peterson under this
label, including very complex and ageworthy Zins from very old vineyards. Morgan, whose father is
Ravenswood’s Joel Peterson, sources Zin from great heritage vineyards like Monte Rosso and his
family’s own Bedrock Vineyard. These are truly outstanding Zins, which should age into burnished
beauties, much like Ridge’s best Zins.
2010 Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel Old Vine – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma
Valley (1/28/2012)
Lovely, redolent, plum, wild berry nose; tart wild berry, tart black cherry palate with grip; needs 12 years; medium-plus finish (from vines planted from 1880 to 1918; 22% new French oak) (93
pts.)
2010 Bedrock Wine Co. The Bedrock Heirloom – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma
Valley (1/28/2012)
Dark purple red violet color; tart berry, black fruit, light herbs nose; tight, tasty, balanced, tart
berry, tart black fruit palate; needs 3 years; medium-plus finish (92 pts.)
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Ian Blackburn, the highly energetic entrepreneur behind L.A.’s very successful Learn About Wine
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(LearnAboutWine.com), is now making his own wine under this label with the help of Mauritson’s Clay
Mauritson. The ’09 we tasted is his very first vintage. The wine boasts delicious, ripe Rockpile fruit, but
I would like to see a little more acidity and a gentler use of new oak in this very high priced offering. At
$60, it was one of the most expensive bottlings of the day. Nonetheless, Ian and Clay are a formidable
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2009 Beekeeper Cellars Zinfandel Madrone Spring – USA, California, Sonoma County,
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Rockpile (1/28/2012)
Dark purple red violet color; intense, blackberry, dark chocolate, honeycomb nose; plush, ripe
blackberry, mulberry, honeyed palate with lowish acidity; medium-plus finish (81% Zinfandel, 19%
Petite Sirah; 15 mos. in French and American oak) (90 pts.)
Bella
2009 Bella Vineyards Zinfandel Lily Hill Estate – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry
Creek Valley (1/28/2012)
Baked berry, tar, black fruit nose; baked black fruit, tar palate with lowish acidity; needs 2 years;
medium-plus finish (w/10% Petite Sirah) (87 pts.)
2009 Bella Vineyards Zinfandel Maple Vineyards – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry
Ripe berry, violet nose; ripe berry, violet palate; medium-plus finish 88+ points (88 pts.)
2010 Bella Vineyards Zinfandel Belle Canyon Estate – USA, California, Sonoma County,
Dry Creek Valley (1/28/2012)
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Baked berry, baked black fruit nose; baked berry, baked black fruit, monochromatic palate;
medium-plus finish (87 pts.)
Benessere
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2008 Benessere Zinfandel Estate Black Glass – USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena
(1/28/2012)
Oak, black prune nose; oak, black prune palate; medium finish (79 pts.)
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Berryessa Gap
2008 Berryessa Gap Rocky Ridge Collection Tradition – USA, California, Central Valley,
Yolo County (1/28/2012)
Ripe black fruit, berry nose; very ripe black fruit palate; medium finish (81 pts.)
Blaauwklippen
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This was my very first Zinfandel from South Africa, where there is precious little Zin to be found. The
wines are made from 35-year-old vines, thought to have been brought to the country from Italy. They
have also purchased some vines from California in recent years, which should be going into production
soon. The nose on the dry Zin was most unusual and savory, and reminded me more than any wine I’ve
ever smelled of one of my favorite Spanish treats, pata negra.
2007 Blaauwklippen Zinfandel – South Africa, Coastal Region (1/28/2012)
Intriguing, smoke, savory, oregano, pata negra nose; tight, tart berry, savory, smoke palate;
medium-plus finish 90+ points (from 35 yr old vines thought to have been brought from Italy; 14
mos. in 225 litre oak) (90 pts.)
2009 Blaauwklippen Zinfandel Noble Late Harvest – South Africa, Coastal Region,
Stellenbosch (1/28/2012)
From 375 ml – redolent, tart berry, anise, baked black fruit nose; tasty, sweet, baked black fruit,
baked berry, herbs palate; long finish 90+ points (90 grams RS; 10% alcohol) (90 pts.)
Black Rock
2008 Black Rock Wine Works Zinfandel – USA, California, North Coast, Lake County
(1/28/2012)
Stewed black fruit nose; pepper, tart black fruit, savory palate; medium-plus finish 86+ points (86
pts.)
Black Sears
These are always remarkable, powerful, complex wines, with a distinctive black pepper note. In 1979,
Joyce Black and Jerre Sears purchased land at the top of Howell Mountain. They were partners with
Mike Beatty in Howell Mountain Vineyards before selling the HMV label in order to focus on the Black
Sears project. They farm the vineyards organically and biodynamically. They have 17 dry farmed acres
of Zinfandel, planted in the ’70s with bud wood from the Hayne Vineyard, and six acres planted to
Cabernet Sauvignon and small parcels of Cabernet Franc and Syrah. Black Sears’ Zinfandel and
Cabernet Sauvignon have gone into wines made by Robert Craig, Elyse, Schrader, T-Vine and Turley,
among others. In 1997, the family started producing a few hundred cases per year under their own
label. Their winemaker currently is Thomas Brown; the ’06 was made by the equally renowned Ted
Lemon.
2009 Black Sears Winery Zinfandel Estate – USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain
(1/28/2012)
Baked black fruit, fig, pepper nose; powerful, tasty, black pepper, tart black fruit palate; needs 1-2
years; medium-plus finish 93+ points (93 pts.)
(1/28/2012)
Tart black raspberry, tart black cherry nose; tasty, poised, tart black cherry, black raspberry, light
pepper palate; medium-plus finish (92 pts.)
(1/28/2012)
Barrel sample – briary, tart plum nose; tasty, briary, tart red plum, sage, oregano palate; mediumplus finish 91-93 points (91 pts.)
Bogle
2009 Bogle Vineyards Zinfandel Old Vine – USA, California (1/28/2012)
Tart black fruit nose; simple, tart black fruit palate; short-medium finish (80 pts.)
2008 Bogle Vineyards Zinfandel Reserve – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador
County (1/28/2012)
Ripe berry, jammy nose; jammy berry, blueberry palate; medium-plus finish (84 pts.)
Bonneau
2008 Bonneau Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek
Valley (1/28/2012)
Appealing, ripe black fruit, prune nose; tasty, ripe black fruit, prune palate; medium finish (89
pts.)
2009 Bonneau Zinfandel Rockpile – USA, California, Sonoma County, Rockpile (1/28/2012)
Ripe black fruit, prune nose; ripe black fruit, prune palate; medium-plus finish (90 pts.)
2009 Bonneau Zinfandel Egret – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County
(1/28/2012)
Ripe black fruit, chocolate nose; ripe black fruit, fig palate; medium-plus finish (87 pts.)
Bota Box
2010 Bota Box Zinfandel Old Vine – USA, California (1/28/2012)
From 3 liter box – stewed black fruit nose; stewed black fruit palate; short-medium finish (77
pts.)
Brazin
2009 Brazin Zinfandel Old Vine Rockpile – USA, California, Sonoma County, Rockpile
(1/28/2012)
Focused ripe black fruit, French oak nose; ripe black fruit, licorice palate; medium finish 86+
points (86 pts.)
Brown Estate
2010 Brown Estate Chaos Theory – USA, California, Napa Valley, Chiles Valley (1/28/2012)
Tart black fruit, blackberry nose; tasty, velvety textured, ripe black fruit, plum, fig, cedar palate,
somehow reminiscent of a super-ripe Pomerol; medium-plus finish 88+ points (88 pts.)
2010 Brown Estate Zinfandel Rosemary’s Block – USA, California, Napa Valley, Chiles
Valley (1/28/2012)
Tart black fruit, rosemary nose; ripe black fruit, ripe blackberry palate; medium-plus finish (89
pts.)
Brutocao
2007 Brutocao Zinfandel Reserve – USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino (1/28/2012)
Brett, ripe black fruit nose; bretty, black fruit palate; medium finish (78 pts.)
Bucklin
2009 Bucklin Zinfandel Bambino Old Hill Ranch – USA, California, Sonoma County
(1/28/2012)
Tart black fruit, ripe berry nose; ripe black fruit, ripe berry palate; medium finish (89 pts.)
2008 Bucklin Zinfandel Old Hill Ranch – USA, California, Sonoma County (1/28/2012)
Tart berry, tart black fruit nose; tart berry, tart black fruit, tart black prune palate; medium-plus
finish (vines date from 1885) (91 pts.)
2009 Bucklin Mixed Blacks – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (1/28/2012)
Tart berry, tar nose; tar, tart black fruit palate; medium-plus finish (89 pts.)
Buena Vista
2008 Buena Vista Zinfandel Arpad’s Selection – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma
Valley (1/28/2012)
Lifted, tart black fruit, herbs, tart blackberry nose; tart black fruit, herbs, tart blackberry palate;
medium-plus finish 88+ points (88 pts.)
C.G. di Arie
2006 C.G. di Arie Zinfandel Southern Exposure – USA, California, Sierra Foothills,
California Shenandoah Valley (1/28/2012)
Focused, ripe black fruit nose; ripe black fruit, tar palate; medium-plus finish (88 pts.)
Calstar
2007 Calstar Cellars Zinfandel Alta Zin Cardanini Estate – USA, California, Sierra
Foothills, El Dorado County (1/28/2012)
Baked plum nose; baked plum, baking spice palate; medium-plus finish (87 pts.)
Carlisle
2010 Carlisle Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma
Valley (1/28/2012)
Berry sample – baked black fruit, stewed berry nose; baked black fruit, stewed berry, deep berry
palate with oak edges; medium-plus finish 88-90 points (88 pts.)
2010 Carlisle Zinfandel Martinelli River Road Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma
County, Russian River Valley (1/28/2012)
Barrel sample – tart berry, herbs nose; tasty, dried herbs, tart black fruit, tar palate; medium-plus
finish 90-92 points (90 pts.)
Carol Shelton
Santa Rosa-based Carol’s been a winemaker for 30 years, and Zin is her favorite variety. I think her
Wild Thing Cox Vineyard is a very good buy for about $19, made entirely with indigenous yeasts.
2007 Carol Shelton Wines Zinfandel Wild Thing Cox Vineyard – USA, California, North
Coast, Mendocino County (1/20/2012)
Dark red violet color; intriguing, tart berry, tart raspberry nose; tasty, focused, balanced, tart
raspberry, tart berry palate; medium-plus finish (great value at only about $19) (92 pts.)
2007 Carol Shelton Wines Zinfandel Karma Zin Rue – USA, California, Sonoma County,
Russian River Valley (1/20/2012)
Very dark red violet color; baked berry, plum nose; maturing, tasty, ripe black fruit, berry palate;
medium-plus finish (from 110 yr old vines) (91 pts.)
2008 Carol Shelton Wines Zinfandel Monga Zin® Lopez Vineyard – USA, California,
South Coast, Cucamonga Valley (1/20/2012)
Dark red violet color; tart berry, light oak nose; youthful, tart berry, red fruit, light cinnamon
palate; medium-plus finish (90 pts.)
Cedarville
2009 Cedarville Vineyard Zinfandel Estate Bottled – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, El
Dorado (1/28/2012)
Oaky, baked plum nose; oaky, baked plum palate with low acidity; medium finish (84 pts.)
Cellar No. 8
2009 Cellar No. 8 Zinfandel California – USA, California (1/28/2012)
Stewed black fruit nose; stewed black fruit palate with lowish acidity; medium finish (83 pts.)
Chacewater
2010 Chacewater Zinfandel – USA, California, Sierra Foothills (1/28/2012)
Barrel sample – tart black fruit, stewed black fruit nose; ripe and stewed black fruit palate;
medium finish 86-88 points (86 pts.)
Charter Oak
I’ve enjoyed Charter Oak’s Zins in the past, but the ’09 Monte Rosso is the best one yet. Robert Fanucci
comes from a winemaking Italian-American family, but he didn’t try his hand at making wine until
1986, after losing his job at a securities firm. He relies on indigenous yeasts and attributes the special
qualities of his wines to thrice daily punch downs using antique equipment inherited from his
grandfather.
2009 Charter Oak Zinfandel Roberto Fanucci Napa Valley – USA, California, Napa Valley
(1/28/2012)
Deep mulberry, raisin compote nose; tasty, tart mulberry, raisin compote palate; needs 1 years;
2009 Charter Oak Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County,
Sonoma Valley (1/28/2012)
Nice, focused, berry, anise, tar nose; very tasty, tar, tasty black fruit, dried berry palate; needs 2
years; medium-plus finish (93 pts.)
Chateau Montelena
2009 Chateau Montelena Zinfandel Estate – USA, California, Napa Valley (1/28/2012)
Medium red violet color; intriguing, roasted berry nose with sweet green herb lift; tight, tart berry,
oak, sweet green herb palate; needs 1-2 years; medium-plus finish (89 pts.)
2007 Chateau Montelena Zinfandel Estate – USA, California, Napa Valley (1/28/2012)
A little reticent, roasted berry, light mint nose; tight yet, tart roasted berry, tart black fruit palate;
needs 1 year; medium-plus finish (89 pts.)
Chatom
2007 Chatom Vineyards Zinfandel – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Calaveras County
(1/28/2012)
Lifted, ripe black fruit, blackberry nose; ripe blackberry, ripe black fruit palate; medium-plus finish
(good version of the ripe style) (90 pts.)
Chronic
2010 Chronic Cellars Mr. Nibbles – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (1/28/2012)
Baked black fruit, baked bean nose; baked black fruit, baked bean palate with low acidity; medium
finish (65% Zinfandel, 15% Syrah, 12% Mourvedre, 5% Grenache) (83 pts.)
Claudia Springs
2010 Claudia Springs Zinfandel Rhodes Vineyard – USA, California, North Coast, Redwood
Valley (1/28/2012)
Intense, grapey, black grape nose; grapey, black fruit, hot palate; medium finish (82 pts.)
Cline
2010 Cline Cellars Zinfandel Sonoma County – USA, California, Sonoma County
(1/28/2012)
Blackberry, berry nose; oak, blackberry palate; medium finish (87 pts.)
Collier Falls
These were remarkably good Zins in a very ripe style. Barry and Susan Collier launched Collier Falls
after buying 20 acres of vineyards in the northwest corner of Dry Creek Valley from Ferrari-Carano in
1997. They planted the Primitivo vines that same year. I really like the unique mint and menthol notes
on the Primitivo, and was impressed with the complexity of the Zin, which Barry, pictured above, said
was less ripe than usual in 2008. The winemaker is Marco DiGulio, who came to Collier Falls from
Lokoya. The wines see extended maceration and cold soaking. They are aged in a mix of French and
American oak for 18 to 24 months.
2008 Collier Falls Primitivo – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (1/20/2012)
Medium dark red violet color; dried berry, menthol, mint nose; tart berry, herbs, mint, menthol,
tart raspberry palate; medium-plus finish 91+ points (vines planted in ’97) (91 pts.)
2007 Collier Falls Zinfandel Private Reserve – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek
Valley (1/20/2012)
Dark red violet color; intense, dried berry, berry, black fruit nose; tasty, complex, black fruit, dried
berry, fig, lilac palate; medium-plus finish (very good for a ripe style) (91 pts.)
Cycles Gladiator
2009 Cycles Gladiator Zinfandel Lodi – USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi (1/28/2012)
Baked berry, nutmeg nose; oaky, baked berry, nutmeg palate; medium-plus finish (78 pts.)
Cypher
2009 Cypher Winery Zinfandel Dante Dusi – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
(1/28/2012)
Ripe black fruit, blackberry nose; rich, ripe blackberry, chocolate palate with low acidity; mediumplus finish (85 pts.)
D-Cubed
2007 D-Cubed Zinfandel Korte Ranch – USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena
(1/28/2012)
Focused, ripe black fruit, herbs nose; intense, ripe black fruit, sweet green herbs palate; mediumplus finish 88+ points (88 pts.)
Dashe
2009 Dashe Cellars Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry
Tart berry nose; soft, tart berry, baked berry palate with low acidity; medium finish 88+ points
(88 pts.)
2009 Dashe Cellars Zinfandel Florence Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry
Focused, tart plum, berry nose; tart black fruit, oak palate; medium-plus finish (88 pts.)
2008 Dashe Cellars Zinfandel Old Vines Louvau Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma
Reticent, tart plum nose; tasty, light footed, tart black fruit, tart berry, oak palate; medium finish
(80 yr old vines) (89 pts.)
2009 Dashe Cellars Zinfandel Old Vines Todd Brothers Ranch – USA, California, Sonoma
County, Alexander Valley (1/28/2012)
Dark purple violet color; appealing, tart plum, light herbs, black fruit nose; tasty, focused, tart
black fruit, iodine, dried black fruit palate; medium-plus finish 90+ points (90 pts.)
2009 Dashe Cellars Zinfandel Late Harvest – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek
Valley (1/28/2012)
From 375 ml – tart berry compote, stewed berries nose; tart berry, apricot, orange marmalade
palate; long finish (90 pts.)
De Loach
2009 De Loach Zinfandel OFS – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
(1/28/2012)
Tart berry, tart black fruit nose; tart berry, tart black fruit palate, a little hot; medium finish (86
pts.)
Deep Purple
2010 Deep Purple Zinfandel Lodi – USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi (1/28/2012)
Stewy black fruit nose; unpleasant, stewy black fruit palate; short-medium finish (58 pts.)
Deerfield Ranch
2007 Deerfield Ranch Zinfandel – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
(1/28/2012)
Stewed berry nose; stewed berry, black licorice, tar palate; needs 2 years; long finish (89 pts.)
2008 Deerfield Ranch Zinfandel White Perry – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma
Valley (1/28/2012)
Stewed berries, stewed plum nose; intense, stewed berry, stewed black fruit, iodine palate;
2007 Deerfield Ranch Zinfandel Old Vine Buchignani-Garcia Vineyard – USA,
California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (1/28/2012)
Appealing, tart plum, dried berry, tar nose; focused, tart plum, dried berry, tar, baked berry palate;
Del Carlo
2009 Del Carlo Zinfandel Old Vine – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
(1/28/2012)
1st bottle – baked black fruit, fig nose; nasty, mercaptan palate
2nd bottle – oaky, stewed black fruit nose; mercaptans, frightening (50 pts.)
Della Costa
2010 Della Costa Zinfandel Dancing Lady – USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander
Valley (1/28/2012)
Black fruit nose; baked black fruit, extracted palate; medium finish 85+ points (85 pts.)
Dogwood
2007 Dogwood Cellars Zinfandel – USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County
(1/28/2012)
Oak, black fruit nose; ripe black fruit, blackberry, tart berry, currant palate; medium-plus finish
88+ points (88 pts.)
Dono dal Cielo
2007 Dono dal Cielo Zinfandel – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Placer County (1/28/2012)
Ripe black fruit, berry nose; oaky, black fruit palate; medium finish (79 pts.)
Dry Creek Vineyard
2009 Dry Creek Vineyard Zinfandel Heritage – USA, California, Sonoma County
(1/28/2012)
Ripe black fruit, black fig nose; ripe black fruit, ripe blackberry palate; medium finish 86+ points
(86 pts.)
2008 Dry Creek Vineyard Zinfandel Old Vine – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek
Valley (1/28/2012)
VA, tart berry nose; tart berry, ripe black fruit palate; medium finish (with 8% Petite Sirah) (87
pts.)
2009 Dry Creek Vineyard Zinfandel Somers Ranch – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry
Black prune, salty dried black fruit nose; black prune, salty dried black fruit palate; medium-plus
finish (87 pts.)
Easton
2009 Easton Zinfandel Estate – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, California Shenandoah
Valley (1/28/2012)
Ripe black fruit, jammy nose; oak, ripe black fruit, jammy palate; medium-plus finish (86 pts.)
Edmeades
2007 Edmeades Winery Zinfandel Perli – USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino Ridge
(1/28/2012)
Ripe black fruit, black fruit compote nose; ripe black fruit, black fruit compote palate; mediumplus finish (89 pts.)
Folie à Deux
2009 Folie à Deux Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry
Prune, iodine, tart black fruit nose; black prune, ripe black fruit palate; medium-plus finish (87
pts.)
Fontanella Family
2010 Fontanella Family Wines Zinfandel – USA, California, Napa Valley (1/28/2012)
Carbonic maceration, plum nose; carbonic maceration, plum palate; medium finish (79 pts.)
Four Vines
2009 Four Vines Zinfandel Sophisticate – USA, California, Sonoma County (1/28/2012)
Ripe black fruit, stewed black fruit nose; ripe black fruit, stewed black fruit palate with heat;
Frank Family
2009 Frank Family Vineyards Zinfandel – USA, California, Napa Valley (1/28/2012)
Very dark red violet color; ripe berry compote, baked berry nose; medium-bodied, baked berry,
baking spice palate; medium-plus finish (89 pts.)
Fritz
2009 Fritz Winery Zinfandel Estate Grown – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek
Valley (1/28/2012)
Tart berry compote nose; light-medium bodied, tart berry compote with orange acidity; medium
finish (88 pts.)
2009 Fritz Winery Zinfandel Estate Reserve Dry Creek Valley – USA, California, Sonoma
Tart berry, black fruit nose; tart black fruit, tart berry palate; medium finish 88+ points (88 pts.)
Gamba
2009 Gamba Zinfandel Old Vine Gamba Estate Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma
Dark purple violet color; redolent, black fruit, blackberry nose; tasty, rich, black fruit, blackberry
palate; medium-plus finish 91+ points (91 pts.)
2009 Gamba Zinfandel Old Vine Moratto Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County,
Baked black fruit, stewed plum, brambly nose; rich, tasty, tart black fruit, stewed black fruit palate;
medium-plus finish 89+ points (planted 1920) (89 pts.)
2009 Gamba Zinfandel Russian River Valley – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian
River Valley (1/28/2012)
Intense, baked berry, oak, baked plum nose; tasty, intense, tart plum, baked plum, oak palate;
Gann Family
2007 Gann Family Cellars Zinfandel – USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley
(1/28/2012)
Smoky, roasted berry nose; oaky, smoky, black fruit palate; medium finish (75 pts.)
Gnarly Head
2010 Gnarly Head Zinfandel Old Vine – USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi (1/28/2012)
Tart black fruit nose; simple, tart black fruit, carbonic maceration palate; medium finish (82 pts.)
Gregory Graham
2009 Gregory Graham Zinfandel Crimson Hill Vineyard – USA, California, North Coast,
Red Hills Lake County (1/28/2012)
Reticent, tart black fruit, coffee nose; sweet coffee, black fruit palate; medium finish (79 pts.)
Grey Wolf
2010 Grey Wolf Cellars Zinfandel The Jackal – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
(1/28/2012)
Appealing, ripe plum, berry nose; ripe black fruit, berry, licorice palate; medium-plus finish (88
pts.)
Guglielmo Family
2008 Guglielmo Family Winery Zinfandel Private Reserve – USA, California, Central
Coast, Santa Clara Valley (1/28/2012)
Baked berry, black fruit nose; baked berry, oak palate with low acidity; medium finish (81 pts.)
Gustafson Family
2007 Gustafson Family Vineyards Zinfandel Mountain Vineyard – USA, California,
Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (1/28/2012)
Ripe black fruit, baked black fruit nose; ripe black fruit, baked black fruit palate; medium-plus
finish (87 pts.)
Haraszthy Family
2008 Haraszthy Family Zinfandel Sonoma County – USA, California, Sonoma County
(1/28/2012)
Focused, tart black fruit nose; concentrated, baked black fruit palate; medium-plus finish (87
pts.)
Harney Lane
2009 Harney Lane Zinfandel Old Vine Lizzy James Vineyard – USA, California, Central
Valley, Lodi (1/28/2012)
Stewed black fruit, stewed berry nose; stewed black fruit, stewed berry, apricot palate; mediumplus finish (88 pts.)
2009 Harney Lane Zinfandel – USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi (1/28/2012)
Ripe black fruit, chocolate nose; chocolate, prune, ripe black fruit palate; medium-plus finish 88+
points (88 pts.)
Hartford
2010 Hartford Zinfandel Old Vine – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
(1/28/2012)
Prune, stewy nose; stewy black fruit, prune palate; medium-plus finish (86 pts.)
Headbanger
2009 Headbanger Zinfandel – USA, California, North Coast, Napa / Sonoma (1/28/2012)
Chocolate, fig nose; figgy palate; short-medium finish (76 pts.)
Hendry
2009 Hendry Zinfandel Blocks 7 & 22 – USA, California, Napa Valley (1/28/2012)
Ripe black fruit nose; ripe black fruit, black fruit liqueur palate; medium-plus finish (88 pts.)
Hunt
2007 Hunt Cellars Zinfandel Outlaw Ridge – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
(1/28/2012)
Tart black fruit, tart berry, nutmeg nose; mulberry, baked berry, chocolate, black fruit palate;
Ironstone
2010 Ironstone Vineyards Zinfandel Old Vine – USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi
(1/28/2012)
Fig, black fruit nose; flat, fig, tart black fruit palate; medium finish (80 pts.)
2009 Ironstone Vineyards Zinfandel Old Vine Reserve – USA, California, Central Valley,
Lodi (1/28/2012)
Blueberry nose; blueberry, ripe plum palate; medium finish (81 pts.)
2008 Ironstone Vineyards Zinfandel Old Vine Rous – USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi
(1/28/2012)
Tart black fruit, oak nose; oak, black fruit palate; medium finish (81 pts.)
Jaxon Keys
2009 Jaxon Keys Zinfandel Mae’s Block Ravazzi Vineyard – USA, California, North Coast,
Mendocino County (1/28/2012)
Violet, ripe black fruit nose; ripe black fruit, violet palate; medium finish (87 pts.)
JC Cellars
2009 JC Cellars Zinfandel St. Peter’s Church Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County,
Alexander Valley (1/28/2012)
Ripe plum nose; ripe black plum, ripe berry, oak palate; medium-plus finish (88 pts.)
2009 JC Cellars Zinfandel Iron Hill – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
(1/28/2012)
Lifted, lavender, tart black fruit nose; lavender, ripe black fruit palate; needs 2 years; medium-plus
finish 90+ points (vineyard has a patch of lavender in the middle) (90 pts.)
2009 JC Cellars Zinfandel Sweetwater Springs – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian
Ripe black fruit, violet nose; tight, ripe black fruit, violet palate; needs 2-3 years; medium-plus
finish (w/15% Petite Sirah) (90 pts.)
2009 JC Cellars Zinfandel Dusi Vineyard – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
(1/28/2012)
Ripe black fruit, blueberry nose; rich, ripe black fruit, blueberry palate; medium-plus finish (91
pts.)
2009 JC Cellars The Impostor – USA, California (1/28/2012)
Tart black fruit, oak nose; tart black fruit, oak, lead pencil palate; medium finish (83 pts.)
J. Dusi
2009 J. Dusi Zinfandel Dante Dusi Vineyard – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
(1/28/2012)
Light oak, raisin, clove nose; tight, clove, black fruit palate; medium finish (87 pts.)
2009 J. Dusi Fiorento – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (1/28/2012)
Clove, black fruit, raisin nose; raisin, black fruit, clove palate; medium-plus finish (50% Zinfandel,
25% Carignane, 25% Syrah) (88 pts.)
2007 J. Dusi Zinfandel Haute Haute Haute Dante Dusi Vineyard – USA, California,
Central Coast, Paso Robles (1/28/2012)
From 375 ml – boysenberry, blackberry compote nose; sweet, baked berry, boysenberry palate, a
little hot; long finish (87 pts.)
Joel Gott
2009 Joel Gott Zinfandel – USA, California (1/28/2012)
Stewed plum, stewed berry nose; oak, jammy, stewed plum, fig jam palate; medium-plus finish
(83 pts.)
2009 Joel Gott Zinfandel – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County (1/28/2012)
Focused, black fruit, tar, stewed black fruit nose; oak, stewed black fruit palate; medium-plus
finish (85 pts.)
Kenneth Volk
2009 Kenneth Volk Zinfandel Enz Vineyard – USA, California, Central Coast, Lime Kiln
Valley (1/28/2012)
Baked black fruit, licorice nose; baked black fruit, baked berry palate; medium-plus finish (89
pts.)
Klinker Brick
2009 Klinker Brick Zinfandel Old Vine – USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi (1/28/2012)
Ripe black fruit, herbs nose; ripe black fruit, rosemary, pepper palate; medium-plus finish (90
pts.)
Limerick Lane
I am indebted to Doug Wilder for alerting me that the new Limerick Lane Zins, starting with the ’09
vintage, were worth checking out. The winery was sold last year to Jake and Alexis Bilbro. Jake,
pictured above, is head of sales and marketing for Marietta Cellars, where his brother Scot is assistant
winemaker. Scot is the new winemaker for Limerick Lane. Together Jake and Scot have selected blocks
of old vines for these special bottlings, and the 1910 bottling, especially, was spectacular.
2009 Limerick Lane Zinfandel Block 1970 – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River
Valley (1/28/2012)
Appealing, baked berry, black cherry nose; oak, baked berry, baking spice palate; medium-plus
finish (88 pts.)
Valley (1/28/2012)
Dark purple red violet color; baked berry, stewed black fruit nose; tasty, baked berry, baked black
raspberry palate with depth; long finish 91+ points (91 pts.)
Valley (1/28/2012)
Dark purple red violet color; intriguing, deep, berry, dried berry, wild berry nose; tasty, tart wild
berry, dried berry, sense of salinity, dried black fig palate; long finish 93+ points (93 pts.)
Mauritson/Rockpile Winery
I profiled Clay and his family’s vineyard in part III of my report on a visit last year to Zinfandel’s
Mecca, Dry Creek Valley. The Mauritson family has been growing grapes in Dry Creek Valley since
1868. Clay’s great-great-great grandfather, S.P. Hallengren, was a pioneer grape grower in the Rockpile
region, where he first planted vines in 1884. He shipped all his wine back to his native Sweden. The
family’s Rockpile homestead and ranch grew to 4,000 acres by the early 1960s when all but 700 ridge
top acres was taken by the Army Corps of Engineers to develop Lake Sonoma. The family currently
manages 310 vineyard acres in the Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley and Rockpile appellations. It was
Clay who got the family into making wine when he returned after graduating the University of Oregon
in 1997. His first vintage under the Mauritson label was with a Dry Creek Zin in 1998. He worked in
sales and marketing at Kenwood Vineyards for five years. He started making wine full time under the
Mauritson and Rockpile labels in 2002 after having also worked under the winemakers at Taft Street
Vineyards and Dry Creek Vineyards. I have very much enjoyed his wines, including a powerful Petite
Sirah and a Bordeaux blend called Buck Pasture. These Zins were easily among the best of the day.
2010 Mauritson Wines Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry
Deep, perfumed, wild berry, raisin, violet nose; tasty, violet, wild berry, black cherry palate; needs
1 year; medium-plus finish (93 pts.)
2010 Rockpile Winery (Mauritson) Zinfandel Westphall Ridge Vineyard – USA,
California, Sonoma County, Rockpile (1/28/2012)
Intense, green herb, tart black fruit, dried black fruit nose; rich but poised, sweet green herb, black
fruit, dried berry palate; should age well; medium-plus finish 92+ points (92 pts.)
2010 Rockpile Winery (Mauritson) Zinfandel Rockpile Ridge Vineyards – USA,
California, Sonoma County, Rockpile (1/28/2012)
Dark purple violet color; appealing, deep black fruit, tar, black licorice nose; tight, rich black fruit,
tar, oregano palate; needs 2-3 years; medium-plus finish (w/5% Petite Sirah) (93 pts.)
Mazzocco
2009 Mazzocco Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek
Valley (1/28/2012)
Tart black fruit nose; tart black fruit, berry palate; medium-plus finish (87 pts.)
McCay
2008 McCay Cellars Zinfandel Russian River Valley – USA, California, Sonoma County,
Chocolatey, ripe black fruit nose; chocolate, ripe black fruit palate with low acidity; medium finish
(86 pts.)
Milliaire
2009 Milliaire Cellars Zinfandel Clockspring – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador
County (1/28/2012)
Tart black fruit nose; tart black fruit, berry palate; medium finish (88 pts.)
Miro
2010 Miro Zinfandel Grist Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
(1/28/2012)
Baked black fruit nose; baked black fruit, plum sauce palate; medium finish (84 pts.)
MoniClaire
2007 MoniClaire Zinfandel Lytton Springs Estate – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry
Lifted, tart black fruit nose; tart black fruit, baked black fruit palate; medium-plus finish 88+
points (88 pts.)
Montevina/Terra d’Oro
2009 Montevina Zinfandel Terra d’Oro – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County
(1/28/2012)
Berry, blackberry nose; berry, blackberry palate; medium finish (86 pts.)
2008 Montevina Zinfandel Terra d’Oro Deaver Vineyard Old Vine – USA, California,
Sierra Foothills, Amador County (1/28/2012)
Tart black fruit, herbs nose; rich, concentrated, ripe black fruit palate; medium-plus finish (87
pts.)
NV Terra d’Oro Zinfandel Port – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County
(1/28/2012)
Rich black fruit, chocolate nose; chocolate, ripe berry, hot palate; long finish (87 pts.)
Mounts Family
2009 Mounts Family Winery Zinfandel Old Vine – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry
Herbs, tart black fruit nose; tart black fruit, sweet green herbs palate; medium-plus finish 88+
points (88 pts.)
Murphy-Goode
2009 Murphy-Goode Zinfandel Liar’s Dice – USA, California, Sonoma County (1/28/2012)
Deep black fruit, fig nose; soft, black fruit, fig palate with low acidity; medium finish (86 pts.)
Novy
2010 Novy Zinfandel Ellsbree – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
(1/28/2012)
Focused, tart plum nose; tart plum, tart berry palate; medium-plus finish 88+ points (88 pts.)
Opolo
2010 Opolo Zinfandel Reserve – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (1/28/2012)
Lifted, ripe black fruit, ripe blackberry nose; ripe black fruit, ripe blackberry palate; medium-plus
finish (89 pts.)
Ottimino
2008 Ottimino Zinfandel Zinfinity – USA, California, Sonoma County (1/20/2012)
Very dark ruby color; ripe berry, plum nose; simple, berry, ripe plum palate; medium finish 87+
points (87 pts.)
2007 Ottimino Zinfandel Rancho Bello – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River
Valley (1/20/2012)
Dark red violet color; focused, berry, black fruit nose; tasty, tart black fruit, berry, light oak palate
with low acidity; medium finish 88+ points (from 10-15 yr old vines) (88 pts.)
2007 Ottimino Zinfandel Little 8 Von Weidlich – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian
Dark ruby color; intriguing berry, blackberry, vanilla, black fruit nose; tasty, blackberry, black
fruit, vanilla palate with lowish acidity; medium-plus finish (from 30 yr old vines) (89 pts.)
2009 Ottimino Zinfandel Rancho Bello – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River
Valley (1/28/2012)
Redolent, baked berry, stewed plum nose; tasty, stewed black fruit, berry palate; medium-plus
finish (91 pts.)
2009 Ottimino Zinfandel Little 8 Ottimino Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County,
Intriguing, dried berry, subtle herbs, black fruit nose; complex, tasty, tart black fruit, herbs, tar
2010 Ottimino Zinfandel Biglieri Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek
Valley (1/28/2012)
Barrel sample – intriguing, lifted, tart berry, dried berry, subtle spice nose; tasty, tart berry, subtle
spice, baking spice palate; medium-plus finish 91-93 points (50 yr old vines) (91 pts.)
2007 Ottimino Zinfandel Windsor Oaks – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River
Valley (1/20/2012)
Dark ruby color; ripe berry, baked berry, light caramel, baking spice nose; plush, baked berry,
caramel, baking spice palate; medium-plus finish 90+ points (90 pts.)
Outpost
2010 Outpost Zinfandel – USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain (1/28/2012)
Barrel sample – appealing, lifted, berry compote, stewed berries nose; tasty, rich but poised, baked
berries, baked black fruit, baking spice palate; medium-plus finish 92+ points (92 pts.)
Pech Merle
2009 Pech Merle Winery Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley – USA, California, Sonoma County,
Tart black fruit nose; tart black fruit palate; medium finish (86 pts.)
Pedroncelli
2009 Pedroncelli Zinfandel Mother Clone Dry Creek Valley – USA, California, Sonoma
Focused, tart black fruit, iodine nose; dried berry, blackberry, spice, tart mulberry, iodine palate;
2009 Pedroncelli Zinfandel Bushnell Vineyard Dry Creek Valley – USA, California,
Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (1/28/2012)
Tart black fruit, fig nose; tart black fruit, tart black fig palate; medium-plus finish 88+ points (88
pts.)
Proulx
2010 Proulx Zinfandel Red Label Swiss Colina – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso
Robles (1/28/2012)
Black fruit, black cherry nose; black fruit, black cherry palate; medium finish (87 pts.)
Puccioni
I previously profiled Puccioni in part I of my report on last year’s visit to Dry Creek Valley. Starting
with the 2007 vintage, the Puccioni wines are based on grapes grown on Glenn Proctor’s family’s ranch,
where his great grandfather, Angelo Puccioni, who came to the area from the small village of Coselli,
Italy, first planted Zinfandel in 1904. The ranch sits in a small valley with up slopes on each side. The
elevations go from 400 to 1000 feet. The vineyards are planted on the west facing slopes. The hillside
vineyards are planted to old clone Zinfandel, on St George and 1103 Rootstock, largely head trained.
The ranch’s 15 acres of vines are largely Zin, and a field blend in the old vine vineyard planted in 1904.
One acre is planted to Alicante Bouchet and another to Petite Sirah. I like their Petite Sirah as well.
This old vine Zin is worth tracking down.
2009 Puccioni Zinfandel Old Vine – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
(1/28/2012)
Lovely, floral, ripe raspberry nose; tasty, complex, ripe raspberry, tart berry palate; could use 2
years; medium-plus finish (from vines planted starting in 1904) (92 pts.)
Rancho San Miguel
2008 Rancho San Miguel Zinfandel Starr Road Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma
Ripe black fruit, baked black fruit nose; baked black fruit, blackberry palate; medium-plus finish
90+ points (90 pts.)
Rancho Zabaco
2008 Rancho Zabaco Zinfandel Monte Rosso Monte Rosso Vineyard – USA, California,
Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (1/28/2012)
Nice ripe black fruit, baked berry nose; baked black fruit, baked berry palate; medium-plus finish
(90 pts.)
Ravenswood
Joel Peterson learned winemaking working with Joseph Swan. He launched his Ravenswood label in
1976, but continued working his day job in the lab at Sonoma Valley Hospital until 1992. He has been
tremendously influential in helping to promote Zin as the source of serious, powerful wines. He was
also so successful at making wine that people wanted to buy that the company was selling 440,000
cases a year by the time Joel and his partner sold the label to Constellation Brands in 2001. Joel has
continued to oversee production. For a large production winery, these are remarkably good wines.
2008 Ravenswood Zinfandel Dickerson – USA, California, Napa Valley (1/28/2012)
Stewed black fruit, plum nose; tart plum, black fruit, berry palate; medium-plus finish (91 pts.)
2008 Ravenswood Zinfandel Big River – USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley
(1/28/2012)
Baked plum, fig nose; tasty, fig, baked plum, stewed berry palate; medium-plus finish 91+ points
(91 pts.)
2008 Ravenswood Zinfandel Belloni – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
(1/28/2012)
Baked black fruit, caramel, light chocolate nose; tasty, caramel, baked berry palate; medium-plus
finish (91 pts.)
2009 Ravenswood Icon – USA, California, Sonoma County (1/28/2012)
Very dark red violet color; nice tart berry, tart black fruit nose; tasty, rich but poised, tart black
fruit, tart berry palate; medium-plus finish 90+ points (blend of Zin, Petite Sirah, Carignane and
Alicante Bouschet) (90 pts.)
2008 Ravenswood Zinfandel Barricia – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
(1/28/2012)
Baked berry, stewed berry nose; tasty, stewed and baked berry palate; medium-plus finish 90+
points (with 28% Petite Sirah) (90 pts.)
2008 Ravenswood Zinfandel Teldeschi – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
(1/28/2012)
Baked berry, baked plum nose; tasty, baked plum, berry palate; medium-plus finish (91 pts.)
2008 Ravenswood Zinfandel Old Hill – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
(1/28/2012)
Poised berry, baked berry nose; tasty, ripe berry, baked berry, ripe black fruit, clove palate;
Ridge
2009 Ridge Zinfandel Ponzo Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River
Valley (1/20/2012)
Dark ruby color; lifted, baked cherry, raspberry, rhubarb pie nose; approachable, baked cherry,
graham cracker crust, cherry syrup palate; medium-plus finish (with 2% Petite Sirah) (91 pts.)
2009 Ridge Zinfandel York Creek – USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District
(1/20/2012)
Dark ruby color; baked berry, graham cracker crust nose; tight, baked berry, ripe berry, graham
cracker crust, oak palate; needs 1-plus year; medium-plus finish 91+ points (with 7% Petite Sirah)
(91 pts.)
2007 Ridge Zinfandel Pagani Ranch – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
(1/20/2012)
Dark red violet color; appealing, ripe cherry, ripe raspberry, vanilla oak nose; tasty poised, ripe
berry, baked berry, black cherry palate; medium-plus finish 92+ points (with 5% Alicante Bouschet
and 3% Petite Sirah) (92 pts.)
Robert Biale
These are always remarkable wines–ripe and powerful, but also complex and balanced. The Biale family
have been growing Zinfandel since 1937. The winery currently owns and farms 24 acres of vineyards,
which supplies about 30% of the grapes for their wines. The winemaker is Steve Hall.
2010 Robert Biale Zinfandel R.W. Moore Vineyard – USA, California, Napa Valley
(1/28/2012)
Ripe berry, brambly, tart black fruit nose; tasty, poised, balanced, tart black fruit, tar, anise palate;
2010 Robert Biale Zinfandel Black Chicken – USA, California, Napa Valley (1/28/2012)
Redolent, dried berry, briary, light pepper nose; tasty, sweet, tart black fruit, dried berry, black
raspberry palate with a sense of herbs; medium-plus finish 92+ points (92 pts.)
2010 Robert Biale Zinfandel Party Line – USA, California, Napa Valley (1/28/2012)
Medium dark purple red violet color; redolent, wild berries, black cherry nose; tasty, poised, black
cherry, wild berries, dried herbs palate; medium-plus finish (93 pts.)
Rock Wall
2009 Rock Wall Wine Co. Zinfandel St. Peter’s Church – USA, California, Sonoma County,
Baked berry, stewed berry nose; baked berry, stewed berry palate; medium-plus finish (88 pts.)
2009 Rock Wall Wine Co. Zinfandel Westphall Ridge Vineyard – USA, California,
Sonoma County, Rockpile (1/28/2012)
Intense, sweet green herb, ripe black fruit, iodine nose; tasty, baked black fruit, iodine palate;
2009 Rock Wall Wine Co. Zinfandel Sonoma County – USA, California, Sonoma County
(1/28/2012)
Baked black fruit, chocolate nose; chocolate, baking spice, baked black fruit palate; medium-plus
finish 88+ points (88 pts.)
2009 Rock Wall Wine Co. Zinfandel Monte Rosso – USA, California, Sonoma County,
Chocolate, ripe black fruit, stewed black fruit nose; chocolate, ripe black fruit, stewed black fruit
2009 Rock Wall Wine Co. Zinfandel Stagecoach Vineyard – USA, California, Napa Valley
(1/28/2012)
Chocolate, baked berry nose; baked berry, chocolate palate; medium-plus finish (88 pts.)
2009 Rock Wall Wine Co. Zinfandel Jesse’s Vineyard – USA, California, San Francisco
Bay, Contra Costa County (1/28/2012)
Chocolate, rich black fruit nose; intense, chocolate, rich black fruit palate; medium-plus finish 88+
points (88 pts.)
2009 Rock Wall Wine Co. Obsidian – USA, California, North Coast, Red Hills Lake County
(1/28/2012)
Tart black fruit, black fig nose; tart black fruit, black fig palate; medium-plus finish (50/50
Zinfandel, Petite Sirah) (87 pts.)
2009 Rock Wall Wine Co. Zinfandel Madruga – USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Contra
Costa County (1/28/2012)
From 375 ml – tart berry, black fruit nose; sweet, baked black fruit, black prune palate; long finish
(88 pts.)
Rosenblum
2009 Rosenblum Cellars Zinfandel Harris Kratka Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma
Ripe black fruit, blackberry nose; plush, ripe black fruit, blackberry palate; medium finish (88
pts.)
Saddleback
2009 Saddleback Cellars Zinfandel Old Vines – USA, California, Napa Valley (1/28/2012)
Lifted, ripe black fruit, blackberry nose; concentrated, ripe black fruit, blackberry, licorice palate;
Scott Harvey
2008 Scott Harvey Zinfandel 1869 Old Vine – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador
County (1/28/2012)
Stewy black fruit nose; stewy black fruit palate; short-medium finish (81 pts.)
Seghesio Family
2010 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Sonoma County – USA, California, Sonoma
County (1/28/2012)
Baked berry, berry compote nose; baked berry, berry compote palate; medium finish (88 pts.)
2009 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Cortina – USA, California, Sonoma County,
Baked berry nose; baked berry, baked plum palate; medium finish 88+ points (88 pts.)
2010 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Rockpile – USA, California, Sonoma County,
Rockpile (1/28/2012)
Tart berry, herbs nose; tasty, tart berry, red berry, herbs palate with near medium acidity;
2010 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Home Ranch – USA, California, Sonoma
Tart berry nose with lift; focused, tart berry, red berry palate; medium-plus finish (89 pts.)
2009 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Old Vine – USA, California, Sonoma County
(1/28/2012)
Focused, tart berry nose; tasty, tart berry, balanced palate; medium-plus finish (90 pts.)
2009 Seghesio Family Vineyards Marian’s Reserve – USA, California, Sonoma County,
Dark purple red violet color; nice ripe plum, berry nose; baked plum, berry, plum pie, baking spice
palate; medium-plus finish (34% Zinfandel, 33% Carignane, 34% Petite Sirah) (89 pts.)
2009 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel San Lorenzo – USA, California, Sonoma
Dark purple red violet color; tart plum, red berry nose; tart plum, red berry palate; medium-plus
finish (70% Zinfandel, 30% Petite Sirah) (88 pts.)
Sobon Estate
2010 Sobon Estate Zinfandel Old Vines – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County
(1/28/2012)
Oaky, ripe black fruit nose; ripe black fruit, oak palate; medium-plus finish (w/3% Petite Sirah)
(84 pts.)
2009 Sobon Estate Zinfandel Rocky Top – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County
(1/28/2012)
VA, tart berry, fig nose; tart berry palate, a little hot; medium-plus finish (83 pts.)
Soda Rock
2009 Soda Rock Winery Zinfandel Wentworth – USA, California, Sonoma County
(1/28/2012)
Tart black fruit, oak nose; oak, tart black fruit palate; medium-plus finish (6% Petite Sirah) (87
pts.)
2009 Soda Rock Winery Zinfandel – USA, California, Sonoma County, Rockpile (1/28/2012)
Ripe plum, baking spice nose; baked berry, baking spice, baked black fruit palate; medium-plus
Spenker
2008 Spenker Winery Zinfandel Estate Bottled – USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi
(1/28/2012)
Baked black fruit nose; baked black fruit, iodine palate; medium finish (83 pts.)
St. Amant
2010 St. Amant Winery Zinfandel Old Vines Mohr-Fry Ranch Vineyard – USA,
California, Central Valley, Lodi (1/28/2012)
Tart black fruit nose; tasty, tart black fruit, tart berry, baked berry palate; medium-plus finish (60
yr old vines) (88 pts.)
2010 St. Amant Winery Zinfandel Old Vines Marian’s Vineyard Lodi – USA, California,
Central Valley, Lodi (1/28/2012)
Rich black fruit nose; baked black fruit, jammy palate; medium-plus finish 88+ points (88 pts.)
Starry Night
2009 Starry Night Zinfandel Old Vine Nervo Station – USA, California, Sonoma County,
Deep violet, ripe berry nose; sweet, violet, ripe berry, blueberry palate; medium-plus finish (87
pts.)
2007 Starry Night Zinfandel Old Vine – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River
Valley (1/28/2012)
Ripe berry, violet, blueberry nose; ripe berry, violet, blueberry palate; medium-plus finish 88+
points (88 pts.)
Steele/Shooting Star
2008 Shooting Star (Jed Steele) Zinfandel – USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino
County (1/28/2012)
Ripe plum nose; smoky, berry, black fruit palate; medium finish (77 pts.)
2008 Writer’s Block Zinfandel – USA, California, North Coast, Lake County (1/28/2012)
Ripe black fruit, tar nose; ripe black fruit, tar palate; medium finish (88 pts.)
2008 Steele Wines Zinfandel Old Vine Zin Pacini Vineyard – USA, California, North
Coast, Mendocino County (1/28/2012)
Baked black fruit nose; baked black fruit, baked beans palate; medium-plus finish (89 pts.)
2009 Steele Wines Zinfandel Century Old Vines Catfish Vineyard – USA, California,
North Coast, Clear Lake (1/28/2012)
Focused, black fruit, ripe berry nose; black fruit, berry palate; medium-plus finish (90 pts.)
Stonehedge
2009 Stonehedge Zinfandel Old Vines – USA, California (1/28/2012)
Ripe black fruit, violet nose; sweet, ripe black fruit palate; medium finish (87 pts.)
2006 Stonehedge Zinfandel Mendocino – USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino
(1/28/2012)
Baked berry, black fruit nose; baked berry, black fruit palate; medium finish (86 pts.)
Storybook Mountain
2009 Storybook Mountain Vineyards Zinfandel Mayacamas Range – USA, California,
Napa Valley (1/28/2012)
Black fig, tart plum nose; tasty, ripe black fruit, ripe berry palate; needs 1-2 years; medium-plus
Talty
2008 Talty Winery Zinfandel – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
(1/28/2012)
Tart black fruit, salty prune nose; tart black fruit, salty prune palate; medium-plus finish (w/7%
Petite Sirah, 3% Carignane; 40 yr old vines) (90 pts.)
2009 Talty Winery Zinfandel Filice Connolly – USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena
(1/28/2012)
Deep, herbal, tart black fruit, chocolate nose; herbal, tart black fruit, salty prune, tart chocolate
palate; medium-plus finish 90+ points (65 yr old vines) (90 pts.)
The Chancellor of Zin
2010 The Chancellor of Zin Zinfandel Candyman Innuendo – USA, California
(1/28/2012)
Dark chocolate, ripe berry nose; rich, ripe black fruit, dark chocolate palate; medium-plus finish
(88 pts.)
The Federalist
2008 2Sons Winery Zinfandel The Federalist Visionary – USA, California, Sonoma
VA, ripe berry nose; oaky, berry palate; medium finish (83 pts.)
2009 2Sons Winery The Federalist Dueling Pistols – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry
Tart plum nose; tart plum palate; medium finish (50/50 Zin/Syrah) (85 pts.)
Tin Barn
2009 Tin Barn Vineyards Zinfandel Gilsson Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County,
Nice ripe black fruit, blueberry nose; ripe black fruit, chocolate palate; medium-plus finish (88
pts.)
2009 Tin Barn Vineyards Zinfandel Los Chamizal – USA, California, Sonoma County,
Ripe black fruit nose; ripe black fruit, licorice palate; medium-plus finish 88+ points (88 pts.)
Tofanelli Family
2008 Tofanelli Family Zinfandel Tofanelli Vineyard – USA, California, Napa Valley
(1/28/2012)
Wild berry, incense nose; tasty, wild berry, tar, black fruit palate; medium-plus finish (91 pts.)
Trader Moon/Old Moon
2010 Trader Moon Zinfandel Old Moon [Old Vine] – USA, California (1/28/2012)
Raisin, baked berry nose; raisin, baked berry palate; medium finish (81 pts.)
Trentadue
2010 Trentadue Winery Old Patch Red – USA, California, North Coast (1/28/2012)
Black fruit nose; ripe black fruit palate; medium finish (87 pts.)
2009 Trentadue Winery Zinfandel – USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley
(1/28/2012)
Ripe black fruit, tar nose; ripe black fruit, tar palate; medium finish (88 pts.)
Tres Sabores
2009 Tres Sabores Zinfandel Rutherford Estate – USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford
(1/28/2012)
Tart black fruit, violet nose; tart black fruit, violet palate; medium-plus finish (88 pts.)
Turley
2009 Turley Zinfandel Dogtown Vineyard – USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi
(1/28/2012)
VA, tart plum nose; tart plum, tart black fruit, baked plum palate; medium-plus finish (89 pts.)
2010 Turley Zinfandel Hayne Vineyard – USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena
(1/28/2012)
Barrel sample – intriguing, stewed plum, baked berry nose; tasty, complex, baked berry, stewed
plum palate; medium-plus finish 90-92+ points (90 pts.)
Valdez Family
2008 Valdez Family Winery Zinfandel Botticelli Rockpile – USA, California, Sonoma
Ripe black fruit, oak nose; ripe black fruit, oak palate; medium-plus finish (87 pts.)
Van Ruiten
2009 Van Ruiten Zinfandel Glory Days Lodi – USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi
(1/28/2012)
Black fruit nose; black fruit, chocolate palate; medium finish (w/ 8% Cabernet Sauvignon & 8%
Merlot) (85 pts.)
2009 Van Ruiten Zinfandel Old Vine Lodi – USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi
(1/28/2012)
Focused, black fruit nose; black fruit, violet palate; medium-plus finish (88 pts.)
Victor Hugo
2009 Victor Hugo Zinfandel – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (1/28/2012)
Ripe black fruit, plum nose; black fruit, tar palate; medium finish 85+ points (85 pts.)
Villa Toscano
2009 Villa Toscano Zinfandel Fox Old Vine – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, California
Shenandoah Valley (1/28/2012)
Ripe plum, brambly, berry nose; ripe plum, berry palate; medium-plus finish (87 pts.)
2009 Villa Toscano Zinfandel “Old Vine” Zinfandel Crain Vineyard – USA, California,
Sierra Foothills, California Shenandoah Valley (1/28/2012)
Ripe berry, briary nose; ripe berry, briary palate; medium-plus finish (88 pts.)
Vino Noceto
Vino Noceto is a project started by owners Jim and Suzy Gullett focusing primarily on Italian varieties,
especially Sangiovese inspired by Chianti Classico. The winemaker is Rusty Folena. Their Zin bottling is
from the ancient 19-acre Grandpère Vineyard, documented as the longest producing Zin vineyard in the
country, planted in 1868 with the oldest known clone of Zin in the United States. These are remakably
complex and balanced wines that seem like a comparative bargain at $29.
2008 Vino Noceto Zinfandel OGP Grandpère Vineyard – USA, California, Sierra Foothills,
Amador County (1/20/2012)
Medium dark ruby color; rich berry, ripe cherry, blackberry, toast nose; tasty, tart berry, ripe
cherry, blackberry palate with toast from integrating oak; medium-plus finish 92+ points (from
vines dating back to the 1860s) (92 pts.)
2007 Vino Noceto Zinfandel OGP Grandpère Vineyard – USA, California, Sierra Foothills,
Amador County (1/20/2012)
Medium dark ruby color; focused, tart berry, herb, toast nose; tasty, balanced, complex, baked
berry, toast, black raspberry palate; medium-plus finish (a terrific old vine Zin for $30; from vines
dating back to the 1860s) (93 pts.)
Woodenhead
I’ve been following Nikolai Stez’s career for a long time. He was assistant winemaker at WilliamsSelyem before launching his own label. He makes delicious Pinots, Syrahs and Zins. I was very sorry to
hear that the vines that were the source of the tasty Braccialini bottling were ripped out this year.
Pictured on the right is Nick’s business partner Zina Bower, and on the left is her buddy Erin, who also
happens to be a longtime friend of mine.
2007 Woodenhead Zinfandel Guido Venturi Vineyard – USA, California, North Coast,
Ripe boysenberry, ripe berry nose; tasty, poised but hedonistic, berry, boysenberry palate;
2007 Woodenhead Zinfandel Martinelli Road Old Vines – USA, California, Sonoma
Intense, herbal, dried berry nose; tasty, herbal, dried berry palate; medium-plus finish 91+ points
(91 pts.)
2009 Woodenhead Zinfandel Guido Venturi Vineyard – USA, California, North Coast,
Intense, wild berry, herbal nose; juicy, wild berry, herbal palate; medium-plus finish 90+ points
(90 pts.)
2009 Woodenhead Zinfandel Braccialini – USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander
Valley (1/28/2012)
Rich black fruit, ripe blackberry nose; rich, black fruit, ripe blackberry, baked black fruit palate;
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from → California Wine, Napa, Russian River, Santa Cruz Mountains, Sonoma, Winemakers, Zinfandel
14 Responses
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Martin Redmond
PERMALINK
January 31, 2012
Great recap of Zinfest Richard…comprehensive, and well documented as always. I
do truly admire your talent and discipline!
REPLY
Larry Stein
PERMALINK
January 31, 2012
Sorry Richard, as much as I respect your palate, you can’t possibly understand all
the facets of Zin in a setting like this. The relatively restrained styles will not show
well. Producers such as Seghesio (specifically Home Ranch, of which I’ve had
several lovely, older examples) and Dashe weren’t reviewed as favorably as the
Turley-esque styled wines. Not a fair fight, IMO.
Then again, you know my palate and the last thing I’d want to do wine-wise is
spend several hours slogging through all that swill to get to a couple of gems.
REPLY
Richard Jennings
PERMALINK
January 31, 2012
*
Larry,
A setting like ZAP is hardly the only time that I taste these wines,
and is not the only occasion on which I try to “understand all the
facets of Zin.” That’s an ongoing job. I also prep for major
tastings like this, and I have tasted both Seghesio and Dashe
before on a number of occasions, in different settings. I respect
both producers, and tasted through everything they poured,
hoping what I tasted would sing to me more than they did. I
want all the wines I taste to show well, but my notes honestly
reflect what I’m getting from the wines.
I know you’re a big fan of Dashe, and I respect what Michael
does. The latest offerings, however, simply didn’t impress me as
much as wines from other producers that I rated higher. That
said, I did rate most of his wines 89 to 90+ points, which is not a
bad rating for me. And as far as “Turley-esque” wines receiving
higher ratings from me, you may note that I rated the only
finished Turley Zin at the tasting 89 points.
–Richard
REPLY
Ravenous Traveler
PERMALINK
January 31, 2012
Happy to see a shout out to Accademia dei Racemi! I’ve been writing about their
wine for years. Their style of concentrated primitivo, and not the sickly sweet
versions coming from Puglia, is the face of Pugliese primitivo. It’s so freakin’
unique I can’t help but get excited when I think of it. Thanks for the report.
REPLY
Ian Blackburn
PERMALINK
January 31, 2012
Thanks for the review Richard – wow – prolific!
Congrats on being named to the top 100 most influential writers – your discipline
is inspiring!
25,000 reviews on Cellartracker – no wonder I keep finding your notes in my
cellar
.
My http://www.Beekeepercellars.com appreciates your review – I’m glad you
liked it.
I have been involved in premium Zinfandel for the past 15 years and finally
decided to bottle my own… and only know one way to do things.
“If you don’t have time to do it right the first time… when are you going to have
time to do it again?” RIP John Wooden.
I look forward to you tasting future vintages… we are putting a huge effort into
this project and making something very special for the betterment of the entire
Zinfandel Marketplace – we hope.
Beekeeper appreciates your notes and solid score.
REPLY
Bill Smart
PERMALINK
February 1, 2012
Richard – this is by far the best and most comprehensive coverage of ZAP I have
ever seen. Wow! Really well done.
You are doing your readers a serious service. I hope they appreciate the amount
of time you have put into thoughtfully reviewing all of these wines. As a vintner, I
know I do!
Keep up the great work my friend.
Cheers,
Bill Smart
Dry Creek Vineyard
REPLY
Richard Jennings
*
PERMALINK
February 1, 2012
Bill,
Thank you for your very kind words. I really appreciate it.
Warm regards,
Richard
REPLY
Dave Pramuk
PERMALINK
February 1, 2012
Richard,
Kudos to you for taking the time to do it right. You have provided some much
needed insight into a commonly misunderstood and underappreciated wine.
Impressive indeed.
Congratulations also on your recent recognition on the top 100 wine people list.
Dave Pramuk
C0-Founder
Robert Biale Vineyards.
REPLY
Richard Jennings
PERMALINK
February 1, 2012
*
Dave,
Thank you for the kind words and congratulations. I am always
delighted to taste Robert Biale’s wines, and I started with them
Saturday as my benchmark. I hope you’ll be on hand for the
upcoming Petite Sirah event as well.
Warm regards,
Richard
REPLY
Clay Mauritson
PERMALINK
February 1, 2012
Richard,
WOW……..what an article. For someone who is generally “stuck” behind the table
at great events like ZAP, it was awesome to read your in depth report. There were
a number of new wineries that I had never heard of and will now search out, and
it’s always great to read about the Zinfandel pioneers. Thank you very much for
your generous reviews of our 2010 Zins, keep up the great work!
Cheers,
Clay
REPLY
Richard Jennings
*
PERMALINK
February 1, 2012
Clay,
It was great to see you, and to taste those awesome Zins as well.
I’m glad the post introduced you to some new wineries.
Keep up the great work yourself,
Richard
REPLY
Michelle McCue
PERMALINK
February 2, 2012
Thanks for the great rundown on ZAP, Richard. Very comprehensive coverage –
found myself comparing notes with you on the ones I tasted, and regreting that I
missed some of the producers you’ve now made me curious about. Ottimino,
Puccioni, Mauritson, Talty, Ridge – yes, yes, yes! I was surprised, though, by how
underwhelmed I was by some of the big, big names in Zin. No names, but found a
few to be waaay too ripe and over-the-top RS. Ah well, it’s a style many like.
Thanks again for the great tasting notes. Wine-searcher, here I come to find the
ones I missed!
REPLY
Michael Carpenter
PERMALINK
February 2, 2012
Well done Richard. After missing this for the first time in a decade, your trusted
comments are a worthy replacement…..plus I’m jealous nkt have not enjoyed the
new location after the gulag-like pavilions of the past. I think we’ll pop a magnum
of ’96 Biale Old Crane to celebrate Zin season.
BTW, any notes on The Terraces?
REPLY
Michael Adair
PERMALINK
February 2, 2012
Richard,
Wow, quite the undertaking! I’m pleased that you enjoyed my wine.
Best,
Michael S. Adair
Owner/Winemaker
Rancho San Miguel Winery
www. rsmwinery.com
REPLY
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State of Zinfandel 2012: ZAP Grand Tasting

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