Rombauer, California, Zinfandel 2006 This has always been on the very rich end of Zin styles with perceptible residual sugar - nonetheless a crowd-pleaser. This vintage follows the same path. The fruit is 59% Amador, 24% Napa, 11% lake and 6% El Dorado Counties. V&B in St. Helena 15.5% $27.99 at Traverso’s Rombauer
Van Ruiten, Lodi, [...]

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Navarro, Mendocino, Zinfandel 2006 Jim Klein is well-know for his work with white varieties but don’t forget his Zins. There’s pure berry fruit in a light-bodied framework. P&B in Philo 14.6% $21 at the winery Navarro
Joel Gott, Amador County, Dillian Ranch, Zinfandel 2005 Baked raisiny fruit, toasty oak and candy flavors. P&B in Oakville 14.7% [...]

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Neyers, Contra Costa County, Pato Vineyard, Zinfandel 2005 Stewed and raisiny fruit. P&B in St. Helena 15.6% $24.49 at Bottle Barn Neyers
Z, Amador County, Massoni Ranch, Zinfandel 2005 Sweet oak multiplied by sweet fruit - plush. Z is Jeff Runquist’s Zin brand. This wine is conceived from vines over 100 years old. P&B in Ripon [...]

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Zin and Petite often work together, one behind the scenes of the other who gets the billing on the label.
Claudia Springs Redwood Valley John Ricetti Vineyard Zinfandel 2005
There’s jammy fruit and a little warmth from the alcohol. Winemaker Bob Klindt. P&B in Philo 15.9% $19.49 at Bottle Barn Claudia Springs
Everett Ridge Dry Creek Valley Estate [...]

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Ballentine Vineyards Napa Valley Estate Grown Zinfandel Port 2004
There’s a sense of a brand new, just crushed wine in the cellar, with vivacious, grapy fruit. There’s definitely some heat as we would see from Portugal, yet this New World Port wears its fresh fruit on its sleeve, with a hint of chocolate, lest we become [...]

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Collier Falls Dry Creek Valley Primitivo 2005
This is lovingly slathered in oak. P&B in Geyserville 15.2% $32 at the winery Collier Falls
Bella Alexander Valley Big River Ranch Zinfandel 2005
A very balanced Zin with tannic structure and dense fruit. Sourced from vines over 100 years old. P&B in Healdsburg 14.9% $36 at the winery but [...]

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Frank Family Napa Valley Zinfandel 2006
Known for awesome Cabernet, tonight we sample their Zin. This wine smells of vanilla and other essences of dessert. There’s lots of extract, very jammy in black fruit and a healthy heft of tannin. 8% Petite Sirah, 15 months in French oak, 35% new. Distributor sample V&B in Calistoag 15% [...]

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Ridge California Lytton Springs 2005
This traditional field blend comes from the site on Lytton Springs Road running between the heart of Dry Creek and Highway 101 in Sonoma County. There is plenty of black pepper on top of the jammy fruit. The vines are intermixed in the old fashion, with 77% Zinfandel, 17% Petite Sirah [...]

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Carol Shelton Sonoma County Black Magic Late Harvest Zinfandel 2006 Many feel that Carol has a magic hand when it comes to Zin. This offering for dessert is on the lighter side of RS with just 6.5% residual sugar, making it ideal for fresh berries, served cold with freshly whipped cream. V&B in Sebastopol 15.3% [...]

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Paradise Ridge Winery Russian River Valley Ode to Joy Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Lots of complexity in this wine, with honey galore. This dessert wine was crafted to honor the memory of Marijke Byck-Hoenselaars. 330 g/l sugar at harvest. Winemaker Dan Barwick. P&B in Santa Rosa. 14.3% $29.95 for a 375ml at Traverso’s.
The Royal Tokaji [...]

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This flight features 4 wines to showcase the breadth of flavors found in California wine.
Guenoc Lake County Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Clean, light-bodied and straightforward value in Sauvignon from the home front. P&B in Middletown, up above Calistoga in the new star zone for Sauvignon Blanc 13.5% $10 at the Wine Emporium langtryestate.com
Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards Russian River Valley [...]

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Rosenblum Cellars Napa Valley Lyons Reserve Zinfandel 2004
A plush Zin that drinks like ripe red wine infused with the best of notes of a caramel infused dessert. Grapes grown above 1,000 feet in the Vaca Range on the east side of the valley. P&B in Alameda 16.2%. The current vintage 2005 is available at the [...]

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Zin not only stands alone but is featured prominently in blends from budget to chic.
Trentadue Sonoma County Old Patch Red 2005
Perceptibly sweet and slightly effervescent, 70% Zin, 20% Petite Sirah, 5.5% Carignane, 4.5% Syrah sourced from Alexander, Russian River and Dry Creek Valleys. P&B Geyserville 14.9% $9.99 at Bottle Barn Trentadue
Ridge Dry Creek Valley [...]

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Rosenblum Cellars San Francisco Bay Castanho Vineyard Zinfandel Port 2003

Viscous and full of vanilla.  Noticeable but appropriate sense of alcohol for a port style of wine. This vineyard hails from Contra Costa County and was aged in US and Fr oak for 18 mos. 12% RS P&B Alameda 18% $14.59 (375ml) at Bottle Barn Rosenblum [...]

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This flight features 2 wines from an area that has distinguished itself for its long-established vineyards and good values.
Gnarly Head Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel 2005
Jammy liquer-like fruit and sweet vanilla in the nose. The wine is light-bodied, sweet appearing and supple. Aged in Fr, US and Hungarian oak. V&B in Manteca 14.5% $9.99 at Traverso’s [...]

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Wild Hog Vineyard Lake County Nova Vineyards Zinfandel 2003
Dried fruits, good acidity, some creaminess and a little warmth. Organically grown grapes. P&B in Cazadero 15.5% $24 at Traverso’s Wild Hog
Groom Barossa Valley Bush Block Zinfandel 2006
Intense smells of eucalyptus and the taste of black fruits with a tannic backbone. Sourced from an 8 acre vineyard [...]

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Holdredge Russian River Valley Saralee’s Vineyard Late Harvest Gewurztraminer 2006
36.4 Brix at harvest and 10.2% RS, P&B Healdsburg 13.65% $26.99 at Bottle Barn (375ml) Holdgredge
Davis Family Russian River Valley Rapport Fortified Old Vine Zinfandel Dessert Wine 2005
V&B Healdsburg 16.8% $26.99 (375ml) at Bottle Barn Davis Family

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