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.

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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

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November 27, 2008

thepiratedoc
Thanks for the blinds! I’ve been away for a while (was becoming a little too wine obsessed) but am back with the burning desire for good juice! I echo randy’s comment on the Earthquake.
November 27, 2008

Nik
QOTD – hardly had any Zinfandels.. seems to be a very limited market in the UK. I quite liked the Ridge Geyserville Zinfandel 2005, but I tried the 2006 and was very disappointed.
November 27, 2008

MineAllMine
Love, love zin. As long as it’s not pink.
QOTD – Ridge Lytton Springs, Rosenblum Rockile, Mazzocco Dry Creek, Homefire Dry Creek!!
November 26, 2008

Grace
Hi Gary! I noticed you are doing a lot of blind Zin tastings this year! I’m glad. I am a Zin lover. I’d be curious to see what kind of rating you would give to WS #10 Wine of 2008, 2007 Seghesio Sonoma County Zin. You kind of dogged the 2006, but then again I’m not criticizing your palate either. Would you rate that one soon? My website, above, will be going live next year. You’ve been such an inspiration and hopefully you’ll always remember me as the “butter girl”–the girl from Des Moines who loves her buttery Chardonnays. Thanks for all your inspiration. Happy Thanksgiving!!!!
November 26, 2008

pawncop
Good episode, very interesting.

QOTD – Tried a Peachy Canyon Incredible Red 2003 a couple of weeks ago that I really enjoyed.

The only other Zin has been 7 Deadly Zins which wasn’t bad but wasn’t outstanding either.
November 26, 2008

RonC
Better luck at your next Zin tasting.
QOTD: Best was 2004 Haywood Zinfandel Sonoma Valley Los Chamizal Vineyard .
Worst was 2002 Lodi Zinfandel Old Vine
November 26, 2008

Sharon
Ah, too bad there were no stellar Zins in the show. Yeah, great job calling the price points. And your tasting notes are spot on, I’m sure! I will keep those in mind when looking at Zins in my LWS’s.
QOTD: Well, I have enjoyed the Zins from Four Vines. Bad Zin, hmmmm. Can’t think of any at the mo.
November 26, 2008

JudeMurphy
Haven’t had many Zinfandels…
eh… BOOBS!! : P
(Well ya gotta say something for the QOTD!)
November 26, 2008

Jimmy T
QOTD: Peachy Canyon Incredible Red ‘03, awesome.
November 26, 2008

David Dadekian
QOTD: I had a Seghesio recently that was reviewed very well that didn’t do a thing for me. I’m not sure I’ve had one lately that rocked my world.
November 26, 2008

Lawrence Leichtman
Many many Ridges but for value the older Ravenswood Teldeschi and Dickinson ranch before they were bought out. Their quality sank like a rock after the buyout in 2004 I believe.

Since I don’t know how to get GV to do a shout out for me I will do my own. Our first grandchild Eleanor Charlotte was just born and we are proud grandparents and look forward to putting away a wine per year for the next 21 years for her to taste when she is of age.
November 26, 2008

Rick McQ
Gary:

Dude! You always crack me up. Never been a fan of Zin!
November 26, 2008

danseng
Great blind show Gary even if the wines sucked. Love the format at least once a week.

I drink a lot of zin and have so many favorites: Black Chicken, Turley Pesenti and Ueberroth, Carlisle anything. But my favorite over the past few years has probably been the 2004 Lamborn Family Zin. At $30, probably the cheapest Heidi Barrett wine you can buy. Great stuff.

Worst zin consistently has to be 7 Deadly Zins. I don’t know how people drink that stuff. It has actually turned me off to the entire Lodi area (except maybe for the Old Ghost).
November 26, 2008

Eric Z.
Gary, if you haven’t already, you should try a Nalle zin from the Dry Creek Valley. Under 14% alcohol, subtle, beautiful.

Otherwise, more in the bruiser category, I really like Mazzocco and Wild Hog zins.
November 26, 2008

Marquette_g
Tannat rivals Petite Sirah as the worst grape on the planet. They both are almost undrinkable. I love exploring new wines, but once in a while you strike out.

I’ve tried more than one of each (7 or 8 PS) and each time wonder why I made such a poor decision.
November 26, 2008

Dan-o
Wow GV – rough show!
QOTD – My favorite Zins – Robert Biale Black Chicken, Elyse Howell Mountain
My least favorite Zins – Cline, 7 Deadly Zins
November 26, 2008

california cab lover
Liked: Black Sears Howell Mountain, Frank Family 2002, J Zin 2002,Bella,

GREATLY disliked: Gnarly Head, Ravenswood Old Vine, Bogle Old Vine
November 26, 2008

Brandon S
The state of the union of CA zins makes me cry. Zins are among my favorite guys out there but tough to find quality under 25 clams.

QOTD—DANGEROUSLY close to writing in all caps
Hendry Block 28 ‘05
Seghesio Sonoma ‘07 (yeah yeah i know)
Four Vines Biker ‘06
Ridge Three Valleys. ‘06 i think.
November 26, 2008

Ed Whitebone
Tried my first Zin – 2006 Beringer Vineyards Zinfandel California Collection.
I really hope this is a poor example of that grape. Just didn’t get it at all.

I checked Beringer’s website and this is how they pass it off:

“The wine has a youthful exuberance that is appealing to anyone looking for an uncomplicated wine to accompany a meal.”
November 26, 2008

DH
Friend of my brought a Cline “old vines” to a party, not very good. It lacked depth. I bought some Seghesio 07 before watching this show and I’m glad to see the name pop up, positively, in the comments.
November 25, 2008

Bruce Lane
Best zin from my perspective, D3 (D cubed) from Napa Valley. Small producer whose wine can be had from the Collective in Napa. Have had various of his wines on trips to Oregon and California from home in BC. Can’t get it here.
November 25, 2008

ev
Don’t forget WA zins. There was a vineyard planted on the Columbia River between WA and OR 100 years ago. Sinean makes a couple, never had them. Try Barnard Griffin and Maryhill. I’ve had them in the past and loved them.
November 25, 2008

ev
After hearing your “best smelling fart in the room” comment, Cathy came in from outside and asked “what’s so funny”. I screamed for a full minute and she heard me outside. Tee hee.
November 25, 2008

lawschooldrunk
what’s the connection between zins and thanksgiving? I never heard of one. would love to know the reactions from these wineries if they contact you, gary!
November 25, 2008

randysanders
Gary,
Excellent show. Too bad you didn’t find more good ones.
I started with Zins, and have tried a lot of wines…it
took me quite a while to get to like Cabs, but I’ve tried
a lot of red varietals. Still don’t like old-world wines,
and usually stick with CA, Australia, Chile, Argentina and
S. Africa. My fav. Zin is Michael-David Earthquake because
it’s got that solid broad base, like a decent Cab, and a
finish that just won’t quit. I can’t lie, I like Zins so
much that I will even drink Gnarly Head and enjoy it.