An outstanding Old Vine Zinfandel that has to be considered a best buy at only $15. California Dry Creek Valley ZinfandelWhile wine shopping a couple of weeks ago, I came across a wine with a very unique enclosure. It's called a Zork. The wine was a California Dry Creek Valley Zin from The Other Guys (TOG). Very Highly Recommended.

decided to open the Zinfandel in lieu of an Italian wine(a requirement in this house) with a spaghetti dinner. Earlier in the day, I opened the Zinfandel, so Shirley could add to her tomato sauce and while opened, I did take a little sip. This was the first Bogle Zinfandel I tasted and as expected, I was quite pleased.

Dark and brooding, with a vibrant bouquet of raisins, rich spice, ripe red fruits, raspberry and cranberry, over flavors of bright rich cherry (redolent of Cherry Heering), more spices, black currant and vanilla. Chewy, loaded with texture and showing nice smooth tannins and a very long finish.

Our friends at Mazzocco also sent us some of their new Dry Creek Zinfandels and asked the question: Mountain Zin vs Valley Bench Zin Fruit: Can you tell the difference? so I don't usually drink white wines, yet who can turn down a Sauvignon blanc (SB) from Italy? So refreshing. The acidity might be due to the high altitude vineyards.

Basically, I found that this dish would pair well with just about any red wine and even a few white wines, but they all seemed to agree on Zinfandel, Syrah or Malbec. Sometimes Shirley just picks the wrong time to do one of her signature dishes. Tonight it was her Southern style BBQ pork ribs. quick check of my wine supply found neither.

” Yes, and where there are “users” there is “innovation” such as Beringer’s “red moscato” that adds zinfandel and petite syrah for some red and black cherry flavor. Many of us wine writers praise the trend to lower-alcohol wines. Yellow Tail recently introduced a moscato. But that’s fine.

Wilson Winery Carl's Vineyard 2009 Zinfandel. Interesting story about this spicy delicious Zinfandel. 2009 Black-Sears Vineyard Zinfandel Howell Mountain V. 2009 Crow Ridge Vineyard Zinfandel Russian River, V. 2009 Quaglia Vineyard Zinfandel St. Sattui Vineyard Wilson Winery Carl's Vineyard 2009 Zinfandel

Tonight was time to uncork a 2008 North Coast Zinfandel( $12 ) to serve with an outstanding beef stew prepared by my daughter Pam. California ZinfandelIn May of 2009 I reviewed a Chardonnay from California that I named as the best Chardonnay I have ever tasted, a Clos Du Bois Calcaire. They are water-conscious too.

Wilson Winery Ellie's Old Vine Vineyard 2009 Zinfandel. Really delicious wine - very pleasantly surprised by the intense red cherry high notes and refreshing, lightweight texture of this wine which resembled a top cru Burgundy more than a heavy, saturated California Zinfandel. Curious about what wine to bring for Thanksgiving dinner?

Francis Winery Sonoma County Old Vines Zinfandel, 2008 California The average age of the vines here are 80-100 years old, and actually is 89% Zin, and the rest a blend of Alicante Bouschet, Mourverdre, Carignane, Syrah and Petite Sirah. The wines were from California, Italy, France and New Zealand. Great deal at $10. Nice long layered finish.

” It’s not likely since the grape that hails from the Jura region of France is pretty rare in California: Only 49 tons were >crushed last year (compare that to 400,000 tons of zinfandel; but since it fetched as much as $1,700 a ton vs an average of $442 for zinfandel, maybe the premium will attract future plantings).

not a "Bordeaux" blend but Zinfandel based, so you know it is spicy. Some excellent wines this week, an assortment of reds and whites from around the globe. Though diverse as a group, what unites them is their distinctive terroir. Terrezas de los Andes. Reserva Malbec 2009. The Climber 2010. Red Wine from Clif Family Winery. Social climber?

Today it will be a 2009 old vine Zinfandel from Baus Family Vineyards in Sonoma County California. California ZinfandelIt's been a lazy Sunday afternoon, watching NFL games and Nascar while waiting for playoff game two between the St. Louis Cardinals and my Phillies. The Baus Vineyards produce two Zins. Not a good move.

The Thomas Farm Rack of Lamb was presented with the Cupcake Malbec and Cupcake Red Velvet (a blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Merlot). "So this Prosecco actually tastes like a cupcake!" a lunch participant exclaims, tasting the Cupcake Prosecco from Italy. A bite-sized bit of fun. ". And he's right on another level.

2006 Turley Wine Cellars Howell Mountain Zinfandel "Rattlesnake Ridge" A whopping 15.9% very exciting zinfandel. It's turning out to be a late season, with some predicting we are already two weeks behind last year's late harvest, but veraison has finally come to Napa Valley. We are currently estimating about 2-2.5 tons to the acre.

And a zinfandel. Beets are contentious. Not because one variety can be made into sugar cubes or ethanol. But because some people don’t like them! was at lunch with a friend who has fine taste when a beet salad appeared. He didn’t touch the beets. asked him if it was the unflattering pairing with the wine. But some people are.

Then from Dry Creek (its spiritual home) the 09 Zinfandel, with its rich flavors of xmas spice and dark berry fruit. Jim Collins. As you may know, coastal regions in California are considered 'cool climate,' and 'cool climate' wines are premium quality. lush palate with sumptuous yellow-fleshed fruit infused with vanilla. Salute!

He arrived at my house carrying a 375 ml bottle of 2001 Turley Paso Robles Zinfandel Delinquent. It's a dessert wine made of Zinfandel - not something that I will buy, but by being open minded I found that there were some things to enjoy there. The other night a good friend of mine came over for dinner. California Turley

Blend is 48% Zinfandel, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petite Verdot. Director's Cut 2009 Russian River Valley Chardonnay. Style: Straw in color, subtle nose reveals tropical fruits (guava, pineapple, honeysuckle) that extend to the medium-weight palate along with flavors of ripe peach. months aging in an even blend of new/older french oak.

Two recent zinfandel release from Ridge Vineyards demonstrated for me that a big varietal like zinfandel, which can produce high-blown, fruity wines, can also produce elegant wines that conceal their considerable alcohol. Sometimes I think that's all hogwash. Here's why. This year that all changed.

Tonight I opened the 2008 Sorcerer's Stone, a blend of Zinfandel 85%, Petite Sirah 10% and Teroldego 5% and right off the bat a relationship began. California Zinfandel red blendNot being a wine connoisseur, I love it when I open a new wine and just fall in love with what I found or what, in this case, was sent to me for tasting.

remember wine from 30 years ago (Manishewitz), wine from 20 years ago (Baron Herzog White Zinfandel) and wine from 10 years ago (Herzog Reserve Alexander Valley Cabernet – still a consistently great wine btw). I must be getting old. And while I have not written too much about cooking/food over the years (damn, I’ve [.].

Red wine varietals that tend to benefit from a good bit of oak include: Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinotage, Chianti, Zinfandel, Nebbiolo, Tempranillo and Syrah. Oak is utilized somewhat like a “seasoning” to add flavor and palate appeal to a wine. Which Wines are Typically Oaked? Why Oak Wine? Where is the barrel from?

From the Amador County, appearance is clear with medium intensity and garnet ruby colors. On the nose a clean and wonderful intensity, with ample aromas of black cherry, cassis, a defined ripeness, coconut, vanilla and green peppers. Dry on the palate with medium acidity, medium tannins, fuller body, pronounced flavor and a long finish. alcohol

2008 Mazzocco Zinfandel Stone Ranch Alexander Valley. Wine reviews 2008 Mazzocco Zinfandel Stone Ranch Alexander ValleyTasting Notes week of February 7, 2011. color: purple, med intensity. nose: med+ intensity, chocolate syrup, fino sherry, brown sugar, dry, acid med + trannin med + body med alc est 14.5 finish med +.

alcohol zinfandel in the ad’s honor. Okay, this isn’t going to knock the Old Spice guy out of the advertising Hall of Fame. But, hey, it’s the best wine ad I’ve ever seen! raise a glass of 14.4% TV and movies

W$Jay was slumming it with zinfandel recently. Trinchero said that there was something of a zinfandel arms race in the early 70s. In 1972, to concentrate the red zinfandel, he bled off 550 gallons of (white) juice at the crush that he then didn’t know what to do with. Trinchero said “Oh, okay. Mistake. It took off.

2008 Wilson Winery Zinfandel. Style note: a big, rich, full bodied California Zinfandel with a rustic balance and sense of place and demand of terroir recognition. This week I've tasted some excellent wines! 2006 Wilson Cabernet Sauvignon. USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley). color - purple, medium intensity, med trans.

One, the Carmenere, has been disappointing, but the Zinfandel, Syrah and the Peitie Sirah have joined the list of my favorites. Time to look back on what was an eventful year, personally and with the blog and my exploration into the world of wine. Here at home, I guess eventful would be saying it a tad mildly. Now for my best of 2010.

Wilson Zinfandel 2008 Dry Creek. big, rich, full bodied California Zinfandel with a rustic balance and sense of place and demand of terroir recognition. Blackstone Sonoma Reserve Pinot Noir 2009. Mazzocco Sonoma Petite Syrah Aguilera 2007. Macari Sauvignon Blanc 2009. Very refreshing with clean, citrus, mineral flavors.

For wines we opened a California Zinfandel, a Tuscan Chianti and some Finger Lakes Rieslings. Finally have some time off from work and can now catch up on many home projects, including the blog. have enjoyed a few very nice wines in the past month and have been able to try a few new varietals. Best I ever had. This one I bought for $14.

All too often, Zinfandel is a highway to a quick, cheap buzz. Although I also tasted some spectacular wines of Monte Bello , I was looking forward to the tasting of old zinfandels dating back to 1973, including multiple pairs of Geyserville and Lytton Springs–could a Zinfandel age gracefully, I wondered?

Glen Ellen Old Vine Zinfandel, Proprietor's Reserve 2008. Winemakers Notes: The immensely flavorful grapes of our classic Zinfandel mostly come from rare 120-year-old vines. Tags: California Zinfandel In my last post I started to say something about a recent discussion I had with a few friends about 'cheap' wines and quality.

Or a 1978 Ridge Geyserville Zinfandel that seemed more akin to a gorgeous northern Rhone than a brawny, young zinfandel. It may seem absurd to write a post in praise of mature wine–indeed, it’s one of those things, like sunny days and flowers in bloom, that people aren’t exactly rushing to oppose.

Sutter Home and white Zinfandel are practically synonymous. The Trinchero brothers of Sutter Home started making the sweet, pink wine from (red) Zinfandel grapes in the mid-1970s. While this story is well-known, at least within the industry, what’s less well known is that white Zinfandel had been made before that time.

Thought by many to be one of the better California Zinfandels, Rosenblum Cellars makes this blend of the 2007 and 2008 vintage to very interesting results. Tags: California Rosenblum Risotto Il Poeta Restaurant Zinfandel Paired well with a risotto with sausage and radicchio at Il Poeta Restaurant.

Getting time to clean out the old wine fridge. After two months of laying around, drinking coffee, tea, water and gatorade and laying off the good stuff I am beginning to feel the need for a long day of wine shopping, but the fridge is full and I will just have to do my part in making room for more. Here the grapes for Frascati are grown.

If Miller is the Champagne of Beers, perhaps this is the Champagne of White Zinfandels? Also of note: the last time I checked, there were zero hectares of Zinfandel vines in Champagne. Site reader Supertunaman sent in this label shot (about the quality of most UFO sighting photos) with the comment, “LOLOL!&#. & J.

I love it when Shirley decides to experiment in the kitchen. It either means we end up going out to dinner or I am in for a special treat. don't always know where she gets her inspiration and last night I did not see any of her cookbooks on the counter, so that means she thought about this recipe while trimming her herb garden.

The trip back in time is complete when he offers Julia a Ridge, Amador, 1980 Zinfandel, which he describes as “a Beaujolais-style Zinfandel.&# Watch the brief clip to catch a glimpse of Ridge White Zinfandel (who knew!) Paul Draper appeared on the program “Dinner with Julia&# with Julia Child in 1983.

I don't often go with Shirley and Pam to the Saturday morning Central New York Regional Farmer's Market, but I made an exception today. was also out of bed early enough to tag along, which is unusual. did stop at one and tasted their 2007 Meritage. It seems to be that the wine always is a bit different, no, a lot different than what I remembered.

In his column, McGee adds water to a glass of 15% zinfandel, bringing it down to 12%. In a NYT story entitled, “ To Enhance Flavor, Just Add Water ,&# Harold McGee explains–perhaps counterintuitively–that adding water to (alcoholic) beverages amplifies their flavors and aromas. More trials may be necessary here.

then decided to open a 3 litre box of Boho Vineyards Old Vine Zinfandel that was sent to me from the Underdog Wine Merchants. Winemakers Notes: The grapes from the Oakley Old Zinfandel Vines provide the base for this wine. Tags: box wine California Zinfandel At present, my Cardiologist has OK'd 3-4 oz. Best of all is the price.

Neo-classic but equally longingly elegant Zinfandel. Wine writers, already about as endangered as the Iberian lynx thanks to the sagging media world (not screwcaps), have something new to fear– automatically generated tasting notes ! Have a taste of what the site spits out: Fully refined almost corpulent Chenin Blanc.

Coppola has successfully striven to create a good everyday wine expressed here in a blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon from Geyserville, California.

Here is a fine Napa blend of 46% Zinfandel, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah, 10% Petite Sirah, 2% Charbono, and 1% Grenache. Deep violet colors in the glass, spreading to a garnet outer ring, with aromas of red berry and ripe black cherry and wafts of smoke. Robert Parker: 90 pts Wine Spectator: 92 pts Retails: $35

Some may argue that is the case today (for example, note the success of off-dry white zinfandel). so very excited to go on my first trip with the Association of Wine Educators (ASE). have already met a few of them at UK related events and am curious to learn more about the Valpolicella region. And New York? Day 2. Amarone, and Recioto.

Last March I posted a press release on a new collection of artisan wines in an innovative attractive new package. An international wine collection with six brands and ten items packaged in a new exciting premium 3L wine cask from the Octavin Home Wine Bar ™. The Chardonnay was not impressive. Definitely a good party wine.

With May and New York Riesling month coming to close soon, it is safe to say that I tasted more Riesling this month than any one year in my life. The hard part was deciding which ones I would post on the blog. After this article I will post once more on a NY Riesling and may list all those I have had. Both were opened with a BBQ chicken dinner.

served with pasta and ultra-fresh peas and morels, 2004 Merlot (the real winner)and the 2006 Syrah paired with Steak, and the 2008 Zinfandel served with the dessert course shown below. it's always fun to sit next to a winemaker / winery owner during a wine dinner at a top restaurant like Park Avenue Spring in New York City. cakebread cake.

This past Monday evening was a first for me on-line. Because of my work schedule and Shirley's extra long 'honey-do' list I never have the chance to do a tweet up on Twitter or follow a wine party on Facebook. You can add comments or photos or just sit back, relax, read what others are having and just sip away on your own wine.

This past weeks edition of the Syracuse New Times, a weekly alternative newspaper published in Syracuse, New York, contained an interesting article on Finger Lakes Riesling. Gary noted four wineries, one of which I vaguely remember from an article written by Evan Dawson for the New York Cork Report. Sipping later was delightful.

To continue Riesling month here in New York, I wanted to find something other than my favorites from the Finger Lakes region. Doing so seemed almost impossible. Other than ordering on line, it is very difficult to find New York wines other than Finger Lakes and Adirondack wineries in the local shops. Enough history.

Just finished watching the movie "Avatar" while sipping on my first Riesling of the summer. Finger Lakes Riesling of course. This month is Riesling month in New York and this will be the first of many I'll enjoy over the next 30 days. The 2008 Red Tail Ridge semi-dry Riesling was suggested by my sister-in-law. This is now one of her favorites.

Lot 154 Lake Country Zinfandel 2006: new release $13 Bubblegum, vanilla, banana and blueberryFrom Wikipedia: Négociant A négociant is the French term for a wine merchant who assembles the produce of smaller growers and winemakers and sells the result under its own name. To me they were all great value wines. My favorite of the group.

Although alcohol itself is tasteless, elevated levels of it in wines often accompanies enhanced polyphenols, which can make for big, showy wines, such as a Martinelli Zinfandel that weighs in at over 16% alcohol. “Alcohol delivers flavors.&#. What does she mean by “alcohol delivers flavors&# ? But is that really true? So what?

Deep purple in color with a solid texture, an intense nose of ripe cherries, chalk, and raspberries expanding to notes of cedar, remnants of campfire charcoal and burnt marshmallows. Then on the palate firm layers of powdered cherry candy, distinct espresso, chocolate and black pepper. Has a high alcohol content of 15% and finishing like a Port.

Most notably, Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. Recently, the wife and I have been discussing a possible trip to California next year. few of the issues are for how long and where. Of course my choice would be Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley or Russian River Valley, the home of some of the best wines in the world. Suggested retail is $15. must buy!

I'm starting to surprise myself with what I am finding with Zinfandel and also a bit disappointed that I wasted so many years with such a limited selection or narrow palate. The 2004 vintage is 96% Zinfandel and 4% Petite Sirah. Tags: California red wine Sonoma County Zinfandel Deep dark fruit aromas with some cherry.

The wines in the new artisan collection are Monthaven Central Coast Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot; Silver Birch New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc; Boho Vineyards California Old Vine Zinfandel; Pinot Evil Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio; Big House Red and White; and Seven, produced from seven Spanish red varietals.

This is the third of the Carmenere wines I tasted this month. As I stated in my previous two articles, Carmenere is one of the wines I've pushed aside in the past, but have placed on a list to re-examine in 2010. The first two left me with mixed feelings about the wine. did enjoy this with some Muenster and Dubliner cheese. It'll be fun!!!

Coming up in a future post, answers to the question: can Zinfandel age gracefully? Paul Draper is, without question, one of the world’s great winemakers. Presiding over forty harvests at Monte Bello in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the winemaker and CEO at Ridge, has seen an almost unparalleled run of excellence. The road to Monte Bello.

It's been a few years since I tasted Carmenere. If I remember right, it was a take it or leave it, nothing special, too many other fine wines, don't shop for wine. My last review confirmed that feeling, but in a very serious attempt to expand a lazy palate I purchased a few different labels to compare. The first was disappointing.

Wish I had a nice Canadian wine tonight so I could toast the Canadian Olympic Hockey Team on their winning of the Gold medal. am not an avid hockey fan, but I do watch occasionally and tonight enjoyed one of the best ever games. Instead, I uncorked an Arboleda Carmenère 2006 from the Colchagua Valley of Chile. Bring on the steaks!!! Wine Acidity: 5.31

BTW, they are Zinfandel, Syrah, Pitite Sirah and Carmenere. Think my taste buds are back. I've been having a few problems with red wines since finishing some prescribed meds a few weeks ago. No matter what was tried I was getting a very musty taste. The Zins are coming along better than expected and Syrah is rapidly becoming one of my faves.

By the time the grilled beef bulgoki came out, so did Bonny Doon Le Pousseur syrah and the Ridge Lytton Springs zinfandel. Not intimidated by the Herculean challenge of pairing wine and Korean food , I selected a range of wines for a Korean new year feast last week. It also worked well with the jeon later in the meal, I found.

Behind the bar one of the owners, Joe Rabasco recommends the Costa Del Sol Napa 2005 blend of Sangiovese, Zinfandel and Merlot produced by Bennesere Vineyards. Every morning I’ve been passing by a storefront in New York’s West Village that for months had its windows papered to block a view to the inside. That’s a good start.

Their popular column had a populist slant, periodically reviewing white zinfandel, wine on cruise ships, at Disney World and their annual, participatory “open that bottle night.&# McInerney wrote a monthly wine column at House & Garden until Condé Nast shuttered the magazine in 2007. In 2006, he married Anne Hearst.

One of the great things about social networking is that you often get in contact with friends and classmates from a time when all was great, life was fun and we were all going to live forever. was reminded of just that this past week as I chatted with an old friend and High School classmate from the mid-60's. Here's what I learned.

Sometimes when you least expect it, you open what may becomes your new favorite bottle of wine. Tonight I opened one of my remaining bottles of Finger Lakes wine purchased at my last tour in December. An Atwater Estate Vineyards , Cabernet-Merlot 2007. blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon and 47% Merlot. Can't do much better than that. Alcohol: 13.0%

Big break in weather today here in Central New York. Temperatures will reach about 30F. Must be the annual January thaw! To celebrate I figured to open one of my usually reserved for warm weather whites. My choice is one that was recently purchased at Lakewood Vineyards on Seneca Lake at the December 'Deck the Halls" event. 2007 Riesling.

So, to start off the new year I opened one of my least favorite wines, Zinfandel. The Bonterra Zinfandel is one that I will buy again. Tags: California red wine Mendocino County Zinfandel organic Somewhere among my 50 New Year's resolutions (99.9% Zin is one wine that over the years I tried earnestly to enjoy. Alcohol 14.5%

I'll just say it: I'm not a fan of late harvest zinfandel. So this 2007 Late Harvest Dusi Ranch is the only wine from Ridge I couldn't really get into this year. On the bright side, Ridge has instituted a new membership log-in to streamline purchases online. Thank baby Jesus, too.

loaded with resinous flavors of cassis and dark berries", similar to a Zinfandel and will work really well with a veal dish. Sparkling white: Riondo Prosecco Italy ".with with delicous fragrances of orange blossoms, apricots and ripe peaches", to accompany shrimp appetizers. White: Urban Uco Torrontés 2009 Argentina $10 ".fragrant

Syrah has always been one to those wines I could take or leave it. Almost all that I had ever tasted were the Shiraz from Australia. While visiting Damiani Wine Cellars on Seneca Lake this past spring I tasted an excellent Syrah and I was sold. From that day on I was a fan. enjoyed the Syrah with Shirley's three bean chili.

And while I certainly would have enjoyed a zesty zinfandel with my steak, I didn’t really miss it. An reader mail came in last week from Centcom in Iraq–not the usual place of people needing wine help! It turns out that the author, Bob Krumm of Nashville, TN, is a wine geek embedded in our military.

This has been one fantastic year of enlightenment for me when it comes to all things wine. Believe I may do a year end article on the subject. If I do, I will have to include the German grape, Dornfelder as one of the highlights. Dornfelder is a cross between Helfensteiner and Heroldrebe grapes. It is the 3rd most planted red wine grape in Germany.

The first was a little stomach problem that still lingers and the second was a fear that this would be like any other Zinfandel I've tried. The second bottle was an Agent for Change 2006 Zinfandel. A4C has released three wines from Central Coast California: a Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, and a Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon blend.

Last evening I had a real nice Seyval from Hosmer Winery and tonight I opened an Agent for Change Paso Robles Zinfandel. Been a couple of weeks, but I've been away enjoying and celebrating life with my four brothers. know mom is waiting and this time around he's going to have to listen and obey. R.I.P. dad. Gotta be the worst ever! bottle.

This blend of mostly zinfandel fermented with natural yeasts has 13.8% Another six-week session of my NYU class just wrapped up last week. poured about six wines per class around various themes (if you’d like a one-night class, register for the holiday wines session on 12/10 ). How could it not be? alcohol, refreshingly low for a zin.

But will American wines exported be more than Blossom Hill and white zinfandel? “The weak dollar makes American products cheaper overseas, buoying sales, and makes imports more expensive, encouraging consumers at home to buy American…As the dollar fell, gold reached $1,117.40 Applying this to wine: 1.

This weekend I had the opportunity to try a GREAT Zinfandel at Eric & Deborah Guido’s Celebration of Autumn: Shades of Red dinner and wine pairing. Tags: Pride Mountain Vineyards Napa cassis Zinfandel ll go into detail in another post about the whole night, but first I’d like to tout my favorite wine of the day.

The juice of the night–Zinfandel, with a couple of Primitivo wines thrown in for measure. Tags: Imbibe Wine Club Wine Reviews Imbibe New York Wine Club italian wines primitivo Ridge Lytton Spring Starlite Vineyards zinfandel Last week Jenn hosted Imbibe NY Wine Club, and Caitlin and I came ready to spit. one might ask.

2005 Buchignani Ranch Zinfandel ** from 44 barrels of 96% zinfandel with 4% carignane from the same "small planting of old-vine zinfandel on the Buchignani Ranch on Dutcher Creek Road in the hills on the far western edge of the Alexander Valley appellation." Good notes of frozen dried strawberry and whey.  This Walks The Line.

For what it’s worth, I think he’s right; try spicy Thai dishes with high-alcohol gewurztraminer from Alsace or red zinfandel from California and be amazed by the synergy. Zinfandel and chicken jalfrezi? We love our impossible food-wine pairings around here. But others defy conventional wisdom.

Dry Creek Valley has become a Mecca of sorts for those seeking world class zinfandel. And while I don't adhere to the particularly strident belief among certain producers and connoisseurs that Dry Creek Valley produces the "gestalt" of zinfandel , there is no question it produces some of the finest. on the finish. Caveat emptor.

The wine, from Puglia, is a Primitivo (the same family as Zinfandel) it's delicious, and the price point ($11) is amazing considering how simply and honestly the flavor profile expresses itself. I just wanted say how much I enjoyed Lorenzo Scarpone's Il Trullo the other night at the Brooklyn International Film Festival.

Previously reviewed: 2005 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville ** 2004 Far Niente Napa Valley Chardonnay **/ 2005 Nickel & Nickel Manzana Vineyard RRV Pinot Noir * 2005 Nickel & Nickel “Bonfire Vineyard” Zinfandel * 2004 Nickel & Nickel Copper Streak Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. At the time, bridges were literally for sale.

always appreciated wine, but it was a 1995 Pagani Ranch Zinfandel that hooked me when I was working as a stock boy in a fancy wine and cheese shop during college. The rationale is that Ridge wants to focus exclusively on cabernet, chardonnay, and zinfandel. Wooden crosses line the road, where, I presume, luckless travelers have fallen.

Last night at Klee Brasserie on 9th avenue and 22nd street in Chelsea, NYC, the Wine Director Aet Soe (pronounced Aiy-yet) recommended this beautiful Zinfandel fruit-forward blend from Mendocino, California. 50% zinfandel, 45% petite syrah, 5% charbono. now that's an intesting blend. pH | 3.65 We age our Pija blend in older French oak.

This week I had a chance to attend a tasting of 12 Zinfandels hosted by Greg Dal Piaz at the Snooth offices. My tasting notes follow: Flight 1: East of Napa 2007 7 Deadly Zins Lodi 14.5% $13 Medium to full bodied with aromas of smoked and raw meat, blood, vanilla and a grassy vegetal green-ness.

Ridge Vineyards Z-List Spring shipment included the 2007 Geyserville, East Bench, and Paso Robles zinfandels. I'm happy to say that 2007 zinfandel so far has exceeded expectations. We tasted these wines blind over the past five nights, with a 2004 Freemark Abbey Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon thrown in to mix things up.

From his base in Santa Cruz, he rose to fame (and a good bit of fortune) by following the path of grape varieties traditionally from the Rhone and Italy–with a dose of Zinfandel. Or Cardinal Zin, a Zinfandel with a Ralph Steadman depiction of a cardinal on the label. But Grahm has had a change of heart. Absolutely.

The other red was the 2006 Ravenswood Old Hill Zinfandel. have almost no experience whatsoever with Zinfandel, primarily because I've never met one that I like. This one was perhaps a bit more cut than most, the flavors more precise, but I still just don't get Zinfandel. Thomas ' house recently. That would be the theme.

The second Advanced Tasting Program release of 2009 is the 2005 Buchignani Ranch Zinfandel ** From 44 barrels of 96% zinfandel and 4% carignane from the same vineyard, "This wine comes from a small planting of old-vine zinfandel on the Buchignani Ranch on Dutcher Creek Road in the hills on the far western edge of the Alexander Valley appellation.

Such was the problem that confronted Peltier Station , a winery in Lodi that wanted to release a port-style wine from Zinfandel grapes last year. In 2005, the EU and US reached a bilateral accord to end a round of negotiations that had lasted twenty years. with that and the USB ports found on computers. Hit the comments with your thoughts.

Previously reviewed: 2005 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville ** 2004 Far Niente Napa Valley Chardonnay **/ 2005 Nickel & Nickel Manzana Vineyard RRV Pinot Noir * 2005 Nickel & Nickel “Bonfire Vineyard” Zinfandel *. What sets them apart? Far Niente produces only Napa Valley cabernet and chardonnay. Julien?).

Ridge Vineyards' first Advanced Tasting Program release of 2009 , from 48 barrels of 100% zinfandel planted in 1923 on the Dusi Ranch one mile east of Highway 101 in Paso Robles, this big, mouth coating zinfandel is loaded with ripe red fruit. The wine is concentrated, ruby red, and has mild smoke and bacon notes underneath.

Optimal serving temperature of: Beaujolais 55 Merlot 63 Berenauslese 43 Pinot Noir 63 Bordeaux 63 Port 63 Burgundy, Red 63 Riesling 46 Cabernet 63 Rose 46 Champagne 46 Sauterne 46 Chardonnay 50 Sauvignon Blanc 46 Chianti 59 Shiraz 63 Dessert Wine 43 Tokay 43 Ice Wine 43 Viognier 50 Madeira 55 Zinfandel 59.

Aged zinfandel can be deep, velvety and utterly complex, if considerably less racy and brash than their younger siblings. The 1994 ATP Zinfandel Lytton Estate was dark -- nearly opaque. But there are many notable proponents of the wonders of aged zinfandel, and I now count myself among them.