Always a favorite tasting subject, these Zins were no exception. Standout favorites in bold, as usual. I know that K&L Wines still has inventory of #1, #6, and #9.
- 2007 Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel ($16.98): scored 93 in Wine Spectator, a crowd favorite, a good value, nicely balanced between fruit and a little structure, classic Alexander Valley zin
- 2005 Sausal Alexander Valley Family Zinfandel ($16.99): also very good, but edged by the Seghesio, I thought. Others preferred this one, tho.
- 2005 Rosenblum "Planchon Vineyard" San Francisco Bay Zinfandel ($19.99): if you like the fruit forward, slightly unctuous, sweeter style that Rosenblum champions (think before or after dinner, not with dinner!), this is a lovely wine, and a good value
- 2006 Shenandoah Vineyards "Special Reserve" Amador Zinfandel ($8.99): this was the lighter, almost Pinot style, unusual for Zin, but very pleasant, great value.
- 2006 Storybook Mountain "Mayacamas Range" Napa Zinfandel ($29.99): a perennial favorite of mine, but a bit soft this year, not the measure of the Ridge, but the most beautiful nose of the night
- 2006 Ridge Vineyards "Geyserville" Sonoma Zinfandel ($31.99): this was in the decanter, the most "serious" wine of the evening, definitely will improve with a few years, but already lovely, structured, great food wine. Pour this for Thanksgiving in 2013!
- 2002 Rosenblum "Annette's Reserve" Redwood Valley Zinfandel ($~25)
- 2005 Rosenblum "Annette's Reserve" Redwood Valley Zinfandel ($24.98)
- 2006 Gamba "Moratto Vineyard" Russian River Valley Zinfandel ($36.99): probably my favorite of the evening, nice example of the delicate balance that makes CA Zin so great -- huge fruit, high alcohol, but somehow all works together
- 2003 Old World Winery "Peña Creek Vineyard" Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel ($15.99): disappointing, an example of how Zin can go wrong, hot, lots of different components not stitched together
- 2006 Michael & David Vineyards "7 Deadly Zins" Lodi Zinfandel ($12.99): yikes, I really didn't like this; rough, with vaguely petrochemical notes on the nose
- 2005 Ridge Vineyards Paso Robles California Zinfandel (~$30): another excellent bottle from Ridge, a little less "serious" than the Geyserville, but still well balanced, with a little more red fruit than black
- 1995 Scherrer Vineyard "Old & Mature Vines" Alexander Valley Zinfandel (~$30): great study in age on this wine, especially when compared with the 2005; very little fruit left, on the austere side, but still very enjoyable ("all structure," as someone said)
- 2005 Scherrer Vineyard "Old & Mature Vines" Alexander Valley Zinfandel (~$30): Scherrer Zins are always good, but this 2005 goes one step beyond the norm; great fruit without crossing over into jammy, good structure, might be my Thanksgiving wine this year
- 2006 Teldeschi Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Port : sadly, it was all gone by the time I got to it, but thanks so much for bringing it! I never miss a visit to this vineyard when up in the Healdsburg area!
