April 22, 2017

ZINFANDELICIOUSNESS Part Two!

1. 2008 Wild Thing Old Vine Zinfandel Mendocino County California
A dense, zesty red, featuring briary cherry and spice on the nose, with plum and dried herb flavors that finish with rustic tannins. Give this time. Best from 2014 through 2019. Wine Spectator

2. 2009 Cana's Feast Primitivo Columbia Valley Washington
The naturally uneven ripening of this varietal leads to a bright red, zesty flavor typically associated with early season fruit in tandem with the über-rich and sweet flavors of late season fruits such as dried figs and dates. Notice aromas of cedar, tobacco, lavender, and strawberry jam, followed by a rich palate of ripe figs, dried dates, and warm spices, with a soft, voluminous mouth feel and long finish.

3. 2010 Jeff Runquist Z Zinfandel Massoni Ranch Amador County California
Jeff Runquist Z Massoni Ranch Amador County Zinfandel 2010 has a beautiful garnet color of medium depth. The hues are youthful and bright. The aroma is loaded with raspberry, red currant, and black cherry. The bouquet layers in a veneer of creamy vanilla and mildly toasted oak. The flavors remain true to the aroma's promise and offer up ripe succulent red fruits wrapped up in a velvety texture. The finish is classic Runquist; smooth and soft with lingering notes of hazelnut.

4. 2011 Troon Vineyard Foundation 72 Zinfandel Applegate Valley Oregon
The wines of Troon Vineyard are natural expressions of sustainably farmed vineyards in the pristine mountains of Southern Oregon. Our handcrafted wines are gently treaded by foot and fermented with indigenous yeasts to reveal nature’s essence. We craft wines of purity and energy to bring pleasure to your life. Silver Medal 2011 Foundation ’72 Zinfandel 2013 Great Northwest Wine Competition

5. 2012 The Seven Deadly Zins Zinfandel Lodi California
This has an unusually dark color. Aromas of blackberry jam and maple syrup are followed by equally rich, deep and expressive flavors. The remarkable concentration of ripe berry flavors layered densely with fine tannins is at least partly due to blending in Petite Sirah. It adds up to a full bodied and delicious wine. Rated 91 Wine Enthusiast Magazine

6. 2011 The Pines Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel Columbia Valley Oregon
The Pines Vineyard was planted in The Dalles, Ore., in the late 1800s by Italian stonemason Louis Comini. Louis settled in Oregon's Columbia River Gorge, and planted some grapevines he brought over from his native Genoa, Italy. Today, The Pines is one of the oldest vineyards in the Northwest, and it has become known for its old-vine Zinfandel. Smoky aromas of blackberry draw you in toward a full-throttle concentration of thick, bright, raspberry jam and sweet huckleberry pie. It’s a little chewy, yet refined and supple at the same time. The grapes really demonstrate their pedigree in the long, powerful finish.

7. 2014 T-Vine Zinfandel Frediani Vineyard Calistoga Napa Valley California
Of all the vineyard blocks we work with each year, none have a greater personal meaning to us than Zinfandel grown by Jim Frediani. You see, Jim has more vineyard knowledge in the cuff of his jeans than we could ever attain in a lifetime – and his 60-year old head-trained Zinfandel vines produce fruit so amazingly intense and pure that we feel blessed to be the ones to capture this magic in a bottle. Heavenly, fruit-driven aromas of blackcurrant and blackberry cobbler greet savory whiffs of cinnamon, fennel, toffee and caramel. That dark fruit core translates to the palate oh-so-well, where you’ll also get plenty of spice right up front. With a rich, dark ruby hue and undeniable zest, the 2014 Calistoga Zinfandel is impossible to overlook. Winery

8. 2014 Carlisle Zinfandel "The Carlisle Vineyard" Russian River Valley California
"The 2014 Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard is wonderfully complete. Deep, dark and layered, the 2014 exudes pedigree from the very first taste. Seamless and polished, with striking depth, the Carilsle is a terrific example of Zinfandel from the Piner-Olivet district of the Russian River Valley. As always, the Carlisle is most accurately described as a field blend, given that there are approximately 39 other varieties interspersed among the Zinfandel." Rated 93-95 Vinous Rated 91-93 The Wine Advocate