Category Archives: Zinfandel

More Red Wines of Lake County

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Ray Johnson

Bell Hill, Lake County, Merlot 2005 When first tasted in July 2009, I wrote: the nose features sweet notes of vanilla and cherries while the mouth repeats with ripe tannins, just to let you know they are there – very … Continue reading →

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Clif The Climber Red 2009

Posted on April 21, 2011 by Ray Johnson

Clif Family Winery, California, The Climber, Red Wine 2009 This is abundantly fruity, with a profound sense of blackberries, plums and I’m not sure what else. This recalls a recent discussion among with a group of colleagues who write and … Continue reading →

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California Zinfandel

Posted on December 3, 2010 by Ray Johnson

Stryker Sonoma, Dry Creek Valley, Zinfandel 2007 Tim Hardin hits another home run with this opulently fruity, sweet-smelling Zin. In the mouth the theme continues, with a lush texture and a little warmth. Produced and bottled under a screw cap … Continue reading →

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The Great Wines of St. Helena

Posted on November 3, 2010 by Ray Johnson

While the Napa Valley’s St. Helena AVA speaks the language of Cabernet and its red wine Bordeaux brethren, there are other grapes making delightful wines as well. Thus this showcase of wines begins with a Bordeaux colleague in the white … Continue reading →

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Red Wines of Lake County

Posted on October 27, 2010 by Ray Johnson

Six Sigma, Lake County, Cuvee Pique-Nique 2007 As the name implies, this wine is fruity and immediately accessible, light-bodied and quaffable, with underlying acidity to make it refreshing and some earthiness to give it complexity. Proprietors Else and Kaj Ahlmann. … Continue reading →

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Pedroncelli Mother Clone Zinfandel 2007

Posted on July 26, 2010 by Ray Johnson

Pedroncelli, Dry Creek Valley, Mother Clone, Zinfandel 2007 The nose features sweet jammy fruit, like a bit of raspberry and blackberry rolled into a crumble for dessert. In the mouth it is spicy and warm, a little viscous and focused … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, Zinfandel | Tagged | 1 Comment

Sonoma County Zinfandel

Posted on July 14, 2010 by Ray Johnson

Robert Rue, Russian River Valley, Wood Road, Reserve, Zinfandel 2007 Sweet and jammy fruit exudes in the nose with the spiciness of black pepper. In the mouth you’ll find a structured Zin, lightly tannic, with plenty of acidity and lastly … Continue reading →

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Sonoma County Zinfandel 2007

Posted on April 23, 2010 by Ray Johnson

Wilson Winery, Dry Creek Valley, Tori Vineyard, Estate, Zinfandel 2007 The nose expresses sweetness, from the oak to the jammy fruit, with a dusting of black pepper. This then continues on the palate, with some structure to frame the black … Continue reading →

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California Zinfandel

Posted on April 21, 2010 by Ray Johnson

Sobon Estate, Amador County, Old Vines, Zinfandel 2008 Here’s a light-bodied Zin that is quite fruity and ready to quaff. There’s a little sweetness working in the background (about 3 grams per litre) along with a light touch of eucalyptus … Continue reading →

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Beringer White Zinfandel 2009

Posted on April 19, 2010 by Ray Johnson

Beringer, California, California Collection, White Zinfandel 2009 Watermelon and strawberries fly from the glass with a sense of candy and sweet flowers. The mouth displays sweetness and strawberry with balancing acidity – nice. 3 hours of skin contact provide the … Continue reading →

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