by Ray Johnson | Apr 22, 2009 | Amador County, California, Sierra Foothills, Zinfandel
Shenandoah Vineyards, Amador County, Special Reserve, Zinfandel 2007 This is an easy quaffer that delivers the fruit of Zin in a light-bodied format. The grapes were organicaly grown in California’s gold country. P&B in Plymouth 14.4% $7.99 at Bottle Barn...
by Ray Johnson | Apr 1, 2009 | Amador County, Barbera, California, Sierra Foothills
R (Jeff Runquist), Amador County, Cooper Vineyard, Barbera 2007 There is a sweet, liquer-like sense to the nose, with plenty of vanilla. The fruit drives the flavors in the mouth with a heavy wack of oak for richness and the characteristic acidity of Barbera to keep...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 12, 2008 | Amador County, California, Port
Quady Winery, Amador County, Starboard 1996 The raisins are in full force, chocolate and lots of sweet smells melded with a hint of the fortifying spirit. The mouth sports chocolate and caramel with a strong but appropriate sense of the brandy that was added. The...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 21, 2008 | Amador County, California, El Dorado County, Lake County, Napa Valley, Sierra Foothills, Zinfandel
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....
by Ray Johnson | Jul 17, 2008 | Amador County, California, Mendocino County, Zinfandel
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...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 14, 2008 | Amador County, California, Contra Costa County, Sierra Foothills, Zinfandel
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...
