Zinfandel tasting – Blind.

Zinfandel tasting – Blind. – Episode #583

November 24, 2008

Gary Vaynerchuk is sky high after a huge Jets wine and his beard is getting thicker and thicker as he tries 6 California Zinfandels BLIND right before Thanksgiving.

Having trouble viewing this video? Try the Quicktime version.

Comments on this episode(231) Leave a comment ›

“Used to go to the ZAP at Fort Mason when I lived up in the Bay Area. …” by G
“Gary,
I’m just getting into wine, for I have only been able to legall…” by Brandon
View all 231 ›

Wines tasted in this episode:

2006 Sebastiani Dry Creek ZinfandelSonoma Red Zinfandel
Coppola Diamond ZinfandelOther California Red Zinfandel
2005 Thomas Henry ZinfandelSonoma Red Zinfandel
2006 Outpost Zinfandel Howell MountainNapa Red Zinfandel
2006 Rosenblum Richard Sauret ZinfandelOther California Red Zinfandel
2006 Ravenswood Napa ZinfandelNapa Red Zinfandel

Not in this episode

2006 Neyers Zinfandel High Valley.

Links mentioned in today’s episode.

231 Responses

Pages: « 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 [2] 1 » Show All

November 24, 2008

David M Roberts
For some odd reason, I now want to try the Thomas Henry. Reverse effect action at play! Like wanting to experience a trainwreck all on my own, I must go out and have a glass of that rot-gut.
November 24, 2008

Ray Barnes
First of all Gary, congrats on the superb Jets performance. Keeping in mind your prediction, it must feel nice to be pleasantly dissapointed. And to those who may scoff at the very real possibility of the Jets winning the whole enchilada, it is worth remembering the St. Louis Rams also had a 4-12 record the year before they became the greatest show on turf. But…the Jets have to stay healthy, or the Pats can still catch them.

As with the last blind show, it seems you know how to separate the proverbial wheat from the chaff. With hindsight knowledge, I think there should have been at least one or two more $35-40+ priced wines in the tasting. If there is one lesson to be learned here, it is to avoid the cheap Zin like the bubonic plague.

QOTD – The only one I’ve had in the last 12 months is the Ridge Geyserville, which was excellent.
November 24, 2008

Andy
Great ep G ……. Love the Zins … try the Dry Creek Zins … MMmmm
QOTD——– Roshambo —- The Reverend Zin 2005
The worst was a Cali Zin I think it was a Beringer Zin
November 24, 2008

ex-lurkdawg
zin I’ve liked recently: one of Ridge’s (I forget which one)
zin I didn’t like: the last 4 Vines Biker I had. I usually like their wines quite a bit and I thought that was the case with this one when I first tasted it. Then I tried it blind in a lineup of zinfandels and really didn’t like it. I think I’ll always be trying to reduce the effects of those pesky pre-conceived notions.
Thanks for another great show. I’d like it if I could somehow know which wine was which as you gave your tasting notes instead of finding out at the end.
November 24, 2008

Mark S.
QOTD – 3 good ones: Elyse Morisoli Vineyard ($31), Elyse Couzins (50/50 Zin and Primitivo, $26), Ridge Lytton Springs ($30)

the bad: Edmeades ($11)
November 24, 2008

Brad G
I am not much of a Zin fan but would be interested in your suggestions for a cab drinker.
November 24, 2008

lfeeney
Nice show Mr. V. Liked the suspense.
November 24, 2008

sam
Boo-hoo:(

I haven’t been drinking much Zin. and this show did not inspire me to…

I remember enjoying the ‘05 Ravenwood…Whatever happened!

Keep smiling!
November 24, 2008

Kirk (slave2thevine)
QOTD: Scott Harvey Old Vine Reserve $27 ROCKED my life…it is the BEST Zin I have ever had and is a MUST try…..I was a little dissapointed with the 2007 Seghesio
November 24, 2008

Jay Campbell
QOTD: I’ve actually had two really good ones lately and nothing else.

2006 Four Vines Maverick Zinfandel
2005 Turley Juvenile Zin

Two very different styles but both were great.
November 24, 2008

Redmeat
QOTD…..

Gamba Zinfandel Old Vine Moratto Vineyard 2006 ~~blew me away(the Regular Russian River was great as well)

Barefoot Zinfandel~~Blew(had a friend try to sneak it in on me…)not good…but would have to say many newcomers to red wines would like it…
November 24, 2008

TLR
QOTD segeshio zinfandel and David Bruce Zin’s have been great !!!! I had a Rosenbloom that was like candy that was a major pass!

LOVE THE BLIND TASTING!
November 24, 2008

Toni
Answer to the question of the day:

Wine called Postup from the slopes of island Pelješac in Croatia (Dinga? wine cellar). It’s made from grape called Plavac Mali, which is genetically a descendant of Zinfandel and a cross with Dobri?i? grape. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plavac_Mali)
This is in my opinion one of the highest rating Plavac Mali wines from Croatia and a godly nectar that leaves a mark on your tongue forever. Period.

Also happy to say we have a 400 litre batch of Plavac Mali / Plavac Veliki combo in the making in Vodice near Šibenik. My father-in-law is going to Dalmatia tomorrow to check out the progress. I expect it to be nothing short of… well… mine That’s why I am listing it.
November 24, 2008

MattieJ
I started this comment before the end of the show… but…Can you imagine the scores if the Jets lost

QOTD: Haven’t had a zin that has really left an impression…. I can’t believe you had six with nobody scoring 90… Insane… hopefully the Zin from the TG pack will make up for it..
November 24, 2008

Edward Salonia
Nice job with the price ranges GV.
November 24, 2008

Glenn P
Yikes! Sorry it was such a suck bomb today. That’s ok, man- there are good Zin’s out there.

QOTD:
Rocked- Bogle Phantom, Seghesio Zinfandel Sonoma ‘07, Rosenblum Zinfandel Harris Kratka ‘05

Sucked- Clos du Bois Zinfandel ‘05
November 24, 2008

AbsolutLahmi
Man – brutal show. Still enjoyed it a lot.

QOTD: I had a RIDGE Zinfandel a couple of years ago that was VERY enjoyable, don’t remember the vintage. I also think Bogle’s old vine Zin is actually very decent for the price, has a strange ‘restraint’ to it, simple but not fake!

Bad Zinfandel? Green Groves was as ‘fake’ as it gets, felt like i was chewing on a stale fruit cake. Zin used to be my favorite for a long time, but now it’s fallen off my radar..
November 24, 2008

Kevin K
QOTD: I haven’t had a good one in a while. Most of my “go-to” Zin’s seem over oaked. I’m not sure if it is a sign of my changing palate or a sad turn in wine making.
November 24, 2008

Dr T in NC
I have never really been impressed by a Zin. Give me a fruity Plavic Mali on one end or a Petite Sirah on the other over a Zin any day.
November 24, 2008

Charles Delisle
Best Zin Chateau Potelle .
November 24, 2008

purplejuicebruce
QOTD… Really loved Runquest’s “Z” and Opolo Mtn. Zin and bad ones are everywhere.
November 24, 2008

Dano
Gary,
Searched for Morgon.
Got nothing. How bout it.
Have enjoyed Louis Latour and Joseph Drouhin. Any recommendations?
Could work well for Thanksgiving.
November 24, 2008

Lawn
Dude, I will buy wine that smells like “yard” all day long! Gimme some grass wine! LOL
–the lawn guy
November 24, 2008

Top 10 Baby!
Wow my first top 10!
November 24, 2008

EricB
sweet! blind zin, this should be good!