Comments on: A Blind Tasting of California Zinfandel – Episode #539

By: John__J

John__J — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 23:55:00 +0000

qotd: never really got any real high end zin’s, I remember liking the dickinson vineyard from ravenswood, gino’s vineyard from sbragia, and one of the higher end renwood’s can’t remember which

not to defend any of those wines at all but 2005 was certainly not a good year for California zin.
I can’t imagine wanting to drink a zin with thanksgiving

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 18:46:00 +0000

Have had the Lust (was very good), Adobe Rd Syrah.. QOTD-St Francis Reserve Zins, Carlisle, Prisoner. http://www.winelx.com

By: ironmics

ironmics — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:54:42 +0000

Had a few bottles of the Agua Dulce that I got from Grocery Outlet for $5 a piece, but sadly they sold out before I drank the first bottle. I give it credit for starting my love of wine really. Glad you enjoyed it too.

By: Grant

Grant — Thu, 21 May 2009 16:26:28 +0000

QOTD: Don’t drink many zins these days but Steele has always been a favorite of mine. $40-$50 zins!? Doesn’t seem right. I feel like the varietal is too often over manipulated by oak.

By: Grant

Grant — Thu, 21 May 2009 16:26:00 +0000

QOTD: Don’t drink many zins these days but Steele has always been a favorite of mine. $40-$50 zins!? Doesn’t seem right. I feel like the varietal is too often over manipulated by oak.

By: CBone

CBone — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:57:50 +0000

Too bad that so many of these blind Zin tastings end up going so horribly! I love the Zins, I really do. Anything by Ridge is wonderful, as well as Ed Meades. Both make vineyard specific (is that term correct?!) wines that are unique, beautiful wines that go so well with so many foods.

By: CBone

CBone — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:57:00 +0000

By: Dessert Wine Nerd

Dessert Wine Nerd — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 07:04:03 +0000

Ouch 0-4 when factoring price on the show. Sad to see some of these wineries charging so much for their wines. I wonder how much of it is newer wineries just jumping on the bandwagon of being in a certain area of the world and just charging that because they can? QOTD: Never had one, I think.

By: Dessert Wine Nerd

Dessert Wine Nerd — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 07:04:00 +0000

By: JD

JD — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:07 +0000

I have to agree with Pauli way up above. I have no idea why so many folks would find Zins to be “too pricey”. They are about the best value wines available. The highest quality zins rarely go much above $50, and you can find really nice daily drinkers in the $10-$15 range. Prices may have crept up, but hardly at the absurd rate of other California varietals, especially cabernet. As with any other varietal, there are certainly examples of mediocre zins that are overpriced. On the whole, though, zinfandels cannot be beat for value.

My favorites:

Ridge Geyserville
Biale (Black Chicken, Aldo’s, Zappa, Monte Rosso, anything)
Bella Big River Ranch
Earthquake
Outpost Howell Mt.
Carlisle
Gamba