Been a while since we’ve had a wine club entry…
I’ve been exploring and trying different zinfandels and last night I think we hit on our favorite…at least so far*.
Francis Coppola Director’s Cut - well balanced and lush while being velvety smooth. Dark with cherry and currants.
*I say so far because I have a bottle of Earthquake that comes highly recommended by John Mace, but haven’t opened it yet.
Have tried some others with lukewarm results. Which leads me to the question, is there something you try to always look for in a zinfandel - old vine, dry creek, Lodi, etc?
Not a moment too soon, flickster. I was getting powerful thirsty.
I’d say that the John Mace’s recommendation for Earthquake was a good one. It is probably my favorite so far. I seem to recall Dry Creek being recommended for zins, but I’ll wait for the experts to check in.
I’ve had the Seghesio, and liked it a lot. I’ve also had a nice Rancho Zabaco, but they have a number of vineyards, and I can’t say for certain which it was. I think that was Chiotti, but I bought two by them and so I may have it mixed up. I really should take notes.
I just had the Cline Ancient Vines Zin the other night, and I was a bit surprised. I guess with “Ancient Vines” in the name I was thinking that it would be low yield, and much “denser”. Instead, it looked much lighter in the glass. It reminded me in looks of the few different Pinot Noirs I’ve had, and it had that lightness on the palate as well. I liked it very much, but I would never have guessed that it was a zin.
Thanks for the Coppola recommendation. I’ve seen it in my local Costco, so I’ll give it a try.
I believe that it was **psycat90 **who recommended the Dry Creek region for Zins. She (I assume that poster is a she) usually knows what she’s talking about. I’ve looked for some in my local wine shops, but haven’t found any yet.
The Zin is another good one, as is Sin Zin. The latter was selling at Safeway recenly for about $12-- discounted from about $20. I also like Ravenswood, although I usually look for Old Vines if I can get it, and Sonoma if it’s available. They make Zins from a variety of regions, so you have to be careful what you’re buying.
I am a she! (Completely shameless link to a pic of my fabu new haircut.)
I love Dry Creek Zins, but there are definitely other areas of California that produce some great stuff.
Other areas to look for - the Sierra Foothills (Amador County, El Dorado County), Paso Robles, and Lodi.
Each area offers distinct differences, at least to me.
Amador County Zins are often intense and ‘chewy’, lots of cherry and ‘smoke’ or tobacco aromas and flavors.
Paso Robles are a little softer to me but still intense. Raspberry, spice, chocolate, etc.
Dry Creek Zins usually have a very identifiable ‘blackberry’ quality to me. Also nice, full wines.
I used to look to Zins for great values, but over the past few years they have really inched up in price. But I really think the quality is there in most of the ones I’ve tasted.
And don’t listen to that don’t drink White Zin malarchy. There are some damn nice ones out there. Ramazzotti does one that is a favorite of mine and a regular on my rack. Great for a picnic or a hot summer day.
I know I’ve mentioned this once or twice on the board, but those ‘old vine’ Zins that people seem to love so much really do owe their life to all the White Zin drinkers out there. When Merlot and Chard became hot stuff in CA, growers were ripping vines out left and right.
And you know, I suppose I should have opened a bottle before posting so I could share some notes.
Well, I’ve gone and done just that. While I’ve tasted a few wines at school, I actually have not opened a bottle of wine at home in about 3 weeks. Some nasty head cold completely destroyed any hope of enjoyment. I think I’m just about completely over it now.
So I scoped out the rack and opened up a bottle of Wilson Winery’s 2005 Sawyer Vineyard Zin, from the DCV in Sonoma County.
The 2003 took the Red Sweepstakes at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair a few years ago and ever since then this wine has been quite a hit. And no wonder. It is delicious.
Big and bold, but perfectly balanced. Nice aromas - a little rasin, blackberry, black pepper, some spice like clove, a hint of cola or something almost ‘Dr. Pepper’-like in there.
Full-bodied in the mouth, rich, yet supple. Blackberries, spice, more black pepper, raspberries, and just plain yum. Nice long finish.
Ahhh, wine, how I’ve missed you.
Man, this thread makes me want some wine! (I have some cabernet and some merlot, and I’ve just had a nice slab of deadcow so it would be nice.) But I’m not one to drink a whole bottle and I don’t want any to go to waste. Today.
Anyway, like psycat90 I’ve just gotten over a (chest) cold and I don’t think I’d enjoy it as much as if I were at 100%.
I haven’t tried the Director’s Cut, but I will check it out.
Looks like it made the SF Chronicle’s list of go out and try DCV Zins a couple of months ago - Link
It’s barrel tasting weekend (well, part two) this weekend. Maybe I’ll head up to Coppola’s new digs to check out this wine. I hear the pizza there is pretty damn good too.
Hmmph, I don’t often get to participate in these things but I had the opportunity to get some wine just now. I couldn’t remember what wine to pick, but I thought I recognized Cardinal Zin. I see now that it has not been mentioned here. I probably was mistaking it for seven deadly zins. Oh well, I’ll let you know what I think anyway.
