favorites from a zinfandel tasting - Printable Version +- WineBoard (https://www.wines.com/wineboard) +-- Forum: TASTING NOTES & WINE SPECIFIC FORUMS (https://www.wines.com/wineboard/forum-200.html) +--- Forum: Zinfandel (The Real Red Stuff) (https://www.wines.com/wineboard/forum-36.html) +--- Thread: favorites from a zinfandel tasting (/thread-9463.html) |
- newsguy - 06-30-2004 Part II of my favorites from a tasting a few weekends back (at B-21 in tarpon springs). first post was on the south african wines. this one's on the zins. disclaimer: no detailed notes. wines are grouped together in descending order of preference. also, added a wine critic's score if one was available. prices listed are B-21's retail, not discounted prices offered the day of tasting. EXCELLENT 2002 Michael David Earthquake Lodi ($24.99) -spectacular. massive fruit and spice. enough fruit to cover the incredibly high alcohol (15.9%, i believe). my favorite zin of the day and my sole zin purchase (2 bottles). wish i'd bought more. if you like huge, in-your-face wines, you must try this one. VERY GOOD to EXCELLENT 2000 Chateau Montelena Napa ($22.99) - great concentration. just keeps expanding in your mouth with a finish that goes on and on. great fruit yet more restrained and complex than the Earthquake. i loved this Montelena and look forward to trying it next year from an even better vintage (the '01). 90 RP. 2001 Renwood Grandmere ($19.99) - 92 WE. 2001 Renwood Fiddletown ($14.99) - textbook amador county zin and no large dropoff from the Grandmere. great value. 90 WE. VERY GOOD 2001 Norman ""The Monster'' Pasco Robles ($19.99) - big bruiser. 2001 The Terraces Napa Valley ($26.99) - very nice stuff, but surprisingly oaky for a zin. 93 CG. 2001 Rancho Zabaco Chiotti Vineyard ($19.99) - very concentrated. 92 WN. 2001 St. Francis Old Vine ($17.99) - 89 RP. 2002 Michael David Seven Deadly Zins Lodi ($17.99). 2002 Consentino Lodi ($17.99) - incredibly spicy and very tasty. but gave a mirage of sweetness. 2002 Ridge Pasco Robles ($26.99) -admittedly, i tried the three ridge bottlings very late in the tasting, when my taste buds had already seen a lot of action from many ''in your face" wines. however, i just didn't like the ridges as much as i wanted to. they were very good, but in this setting didn't show the depth or complexity that i had hoped for. 2002 Ridge Lytton Springs ($32.99) 2002 Ridge Ponzo Vineyards ($26.99) 2001 Rancho Zabaco Stefani Vineyard ($19.99) - mocha prominent in the great nose. 1999 Gallo Sonoma Frei Ranch ($17.99) - very nice, but seemed almost cab-like after the rancho zabacos. 91 WE. 2002 Castle Rock Russian River Valley ($9.99) - darn tasty and a steal at this price. 2001 Rancho Zabaco Dry Creek Reserve ($12.99) - very nice. each year this bottling tastes more and more like how RZ's Sonoma Heritage bottling *used* to taste (only now at a higher price). 2002 Cline Ancient Vines ($12.99) - 87 CG. [This message has been edited by newsguy (edited 06-30-2004).] |