Zinfandel Tasting

Zinfandel Facts and Opinions:
1. 2001 and 2002 are the best back to back vintages for Zinfandel since 1994 and 1995.

2. 2001 seems a bit more structured while 2002 possesses more baby fat.

3. The best regions for Zinfandel are Russian River, Dry Creek, and select old-vine plantings in Napa Valley and Contra Costa.

4. Zinfandels are best enjoyed in their vibrant youth and should generally be consumed by 8 years following the vintage.

5. To fully ripen the grapes, Zinfandel requires high sugar levels with finished alcohol in the 14.5 to 16 percent range and should thus be enjoyed sitting down.

6. The two finest producers of Zinfandel are Turley and Martinelli but these wines are only available by direct purchase from the winery mailing list.

7. It used to be that a good rule for purchasing Zin was to follow the 3Rs (Rosenblum, Ridge, and Ravenswood). However, the latter has gone commercial and quality has slipped dramatically.

8. Zinfandel sales are strong because 90% of the top wines can be purchased for under $30 and many excellent Zins can be found in the $10-20 range.

9. Zinfandel works best with spicy, stick-to-the-ribs courses (confit, cassoulet, barbecue) and strong, firm cheeses.

10. Zinfandel is the perfect red wine for Thanksgiving dinner.

The Wines:
1. Abundance Vineyards "Mencarini V’yds" O.V. Zinfandel 2001, Lodi $13.99
Lodi has become a source for Zinfandel recently because there is plenty of cheap land and the warm climate is suitable for this varietal This old-vine Zin offers an excellent price-to-quality ratio.

2. Rosenblum "Vintner’s Cuvee XXV" Zinfandel, CA $12.99
Rosenblum has been a Zinfandel specialist for 20+ years and this is their entry level wine. It just received 89 points in The Wine Advocate, a great score for a wine of this price.

3. Ridge "Sonoma Station" Zinfandel 2001, Sonoma County $20.99
Ridge, which has been making Zinfandel since the early 1960s, typically blends other varietals, usually Petite Sirah and Carignane, with the Zinfandel for complexity. This is a fine example of the Ridge style.

4. Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel 2002, $16.99
In recent years, Seghesio has risen to near the top among Zinfandel producers. This is their entry level wine from a blend of several Sonoma vineyards. The wine has a supple feel and layers of fruit typical of 2002.

5. Rosenblum Zinfandel Continente Vineyard 2002, San Francisco Bay $23.99
This Zin comes from a single vineyard in Contra Costa where many of the vines are over 100 years of age. The flavors and aromas are reminiscent of ripe black cherries and chocolate.

6. Chateau Montelena Zinfandel 2001, Napa Valley $24.99
Montelena is famous for its age-worthy Cabernet but they have quietly grown Zinfandel from the beginning in 1973. They go for a supple, forward, easy drinking style very unlike their Cabernet which usually requires 15-20 years to be at its best.

7. Girard Zinfandel 2002, Napa Valley $25.99
This Zin comes from a vineyard with highest elevation in Napa at 2750 feet with an average age of 35 years. The tannins are soft and the spicy flavors contain hints of blueberry, cherry, and plum.

8. Benessere Zinfandel "BK Collins" 2001, Napa Valley $29.99
This vineyard is 82 years old from which only 385 cases were produced. The wine has more complexity and elegance than most Zinfandels but retains great depth of flavor.

9. Trinitas Zinfandel "Bigalow Vineyard" 2002, Contra Costa $27.99
Another Contra Costa vineyard, this one 120 years old, has produced a lovely Zin with blackberry and raspberry fruit with a hint of pepper. This new winery was started by Matthew Cline, formerly of Cline Vineyards, so he knows a thing or two about Zinfandel.

10. Ridge "Paso Robles" Zinfandel 2002 $26.99
Produced entirely from Dusi Ranch fruit, and a rarity for Ridge, is 100% Zinfandel. This plush wine has layers of fruit which suggest it should be drunk young.

11. Ridge "Lytton Springs" Zinfandel 2002, $31.99
Ridge’s most famous Zin is no longer called Zinfandel because often more than 25% of other varietals are blended into the wine. Full-bodied and structured, this is a rare Zin which may reward 10 years cellaring.

12. Neyers "Tofanelli Vineyard" 2002, Napa Valley $39.99
Tofanelli fruit is shared with Turley Vineyards, all you need to know about this vineyard’s stature.

13. Quivira “Wine Creek Ranch” Zinfandel 2001, Dry Creek Valley
This bonus wine comes from Quivira’s 40 year old vineyard in Dry Creek.