Category Archives: Zinfandel

Beringer White Zinfandel 2008

Beringer, California, California Collection, White Zinfandel 2008 You remember those hard candies, watermelon flavored?  Well here you have them in a glass, sweet and tart at the same time – very nice. 3 hours of skin contact provide the color. … Continue reading

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Carol Shelton Rendezvous Rose 2008

Carol Shelton, Mendocino County, Rendezvous Rose 2008 The nose is vibrantly fruity, evocative of fresh raspberries and herbs. In the mouth it is dry and fruity, with a little warmth.  The RS adds some weight, filling our the wine and … Continue reading

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Chronicle Zinfandels 2006

Proprietor Mike Hengehold was on hand at ZAP today in San Francisco to showcase his Zin portfolio. He is sourcing fruit from vines that were planted in the Russian River long before I was born. The fruit hangs well into … Continue reading

Posted in Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, Zinfandel | Tagged | 1 Comment

Bodega Celdran Vinto Tinto Reserva 2004

Bodega Celdran, Sonoma County, Vinto Tinto, Reserva 2004 In the nose you’ll find read fruits and cedar with a bit of the sweet tobacco of Bordeaux. In the mouth the texture is supple, the fruit is ripe and an Old … Continue reading

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Ottimino Zinfinity 2006

Ottimino, Sonoma County, Zinfinity, Zinfandel 2006 The nose features vanilla and caramel, with a bit of black fruit, cocoa  and black pepper. In the mouth the fruit comes forward, a little jammy, in a light-bodied format, very supple and easy … Continue reading

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The Great Wines of St. Helena

Appellation St. Helena hosted a tasting on Tuesday to show off the wines of the AVA. We discussed the recent vintages and tasted 48 wines, with a strong emphasis on Cabernet Sauvignon. Below is a baker’s dozen, the stars of … Continue reading

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Howell Mountain Bear & Lion Zinfandel 2006

Howell Mountain Vineyards, Napa Valley, Bear & Lion, Old Vine, Zinfandel 2006 The fruit in the nose has a very fresh grape juice quality with a note of blackberry liqueur. In the mouth the wine is jammy, soft and light … Continue reading

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Sonoma County Harvest Fair 2009 sweet stars

Hart’s Desire, Russian River Valley, Ponzo Vineyard, Late Harvest, Zinfandel 2008 The nose features candied black fruit. In the mouth it is a blackberry jam, in a liquid form – with an acidic streak for balance – delicious. 7% RS … Continue reading

Posted in California, Dry Creek Valley, Late harvest red, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley, Zinfandel | 1 Comment

Clif The Climber Red 2006

Clif Family Winery, California, The Climber, Red Wine 2006 This wine features a boatload of juicy fruit with the berries of Zin and the currants of Cab. The light body and soft texture make it drinkable immediately, perfect to imbibe … Continue reading

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Sonoma County Zinfandel

J. Keverson, Russian River Valley, Alton Lane Vineyard, Zinfandel 2007 The fruit is very bright in the nose and graced by a healthy dose of black pepper. In the mouth the fruit is framed by acidity. This is one of … Continue reading

Posted in Alexander Valley, California, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, Zinfandel | Leave a comment