Gary: I love Zins, I’ve had gallons throughout the years. My favorites are the Seghesio from Sonoma County.

Great show… one of my favorites. But that’s likely since it covered Cali Zins.

Red Zins are my favorite.

QOTD: My favorite so far is still Bonny Doon’s Cardinal Zin. A personal favorite of mine which also has IMHO a great name and a great label. Its the triple threat. Although I’m also a big fan of Ravens Wood too.

Glad to see Dancing Bull in there. A nice Red Zin that I see on the local shelves all the time. I’m going to have to look for the Peachy Canyon in my local SoCal shops.

They’re trying to ban foie gras here in Philly. Personally, I do rather enjoy it, but I could also live without it. What bothers me is the idea that a restaurant or purveyor would NOT BE ABLE to sell it. I’ve been to a foie gras farm, and those ducks are treated much better than commercial chickens, so I think it’s a lot of hubbub from people who don’t know what they’re talking about. D’artagnan does make beautiful products…and I’m quite excited now because I’m meeting friends later at a wine bar. If they have the foie and some Zin, I’m all over that pairing today! QOTD: Honestly I’ve only had a few – Rancho Zabaco being one of them. I think I need to give that grape another go round.

there’s something weird going on with the font. in safari I see some serif-type font, in firefox I still see the old lucida grande.

QOTD: Favorite all-time is Hendry Block 28 2004, which is from right outside the city of Napa. The Rosenblum Hendry Vineyard is a close second. Best for the money recently is Haywood 2004 Los Chamizal Vineyard.

Reading all the comments, I have changed my mind — I will refuse to drink zinfandel from now on. Do you know how they make that wine? They CRUSH GRAPES, which I find cruel. Then, they turn yeast cells into SLAVES, allowing them to FATTEN UP on sugars. This exploitative process caters to our own alcohol-seeking pleasures, after which most of the yeast are allowed to die off (without even allowing survivor benefits). The final insult is that they bottle the wines using corks, which come from natural living things. It’s time for everyone to wake up and end this cruelty!

First, we eat and love foie gras.

QOTD: Rosenblum 2003 Rockpile is the best I’ve had. I have drank about 20 different zins.

QOTD: I probably drink Zin’s 50% of the time.

My favorite is the Neibaum Coppola – Edizione Pennino Zinfandel.
But another one I love but can never find it is Laurel Glen’s !ZaZin.
That one is less expensive and solid.

Awesome show G —– love the foie gras though never tried with Zin..
QOTD—- Big Real BIG fan of Zin (the cult wine).. The best POIZIN by Armida.
They add just a touch of Petite Syrah to make it more rewarding…. Also try one from Hop Kiln.

Love Zins…great with burgers! Neal & Joel Gott make excellent ones with nice value.

Love Zin! All styles from all over California, but of course my favorites are Sausal.

can someone please explain to me, why would for the god sakes anyone BAN the foie gras??? i just do not get it (may be it just because i am a silly european, but i just don’t). thanks a lot.

Not surprised at the showing of Peachy Canyon. I’ve been tasting their Zins for several years and thoroughly enjoying them. Many years they have six or more offerings, most single vineyard Zins. My other favorite from this region is Tobin James, who also offers several Zins per year. Tobin James Dusi Vineyard reserve Zin is one of favorites. In fact, I haven’t tasted as many quality Zins from any other region. Maybe competition is one of the reasons these are so good.
I loved the idea of Foie Gras and Zin, gotta try it.

Not surprised at the showing of Peachy Canyon. I’ve been tasting their Zins for several years and thoroughly enjoying them. Many years they have six or more offerings, most single vineyard Zins. My other favorite from this region is Tobin James, who also offers several Zins per year. Tobin James Dusi Vineyard reserve Zin is one of favorites. In fact, I haven’t tasted as many quality Zins from any other region. Maybe competition is one of the reasons these are so good.
I loved the idea of Foie Gras and Zin, gotta try it.

Reading some of the earlier comments brought to mind the beginning of my own love affair with Zin. Lytton Springs in the 80s, trying their jammy zins and fighting off the fruit flies in their warehouse cum tasting room. Something about that first impact of a really rich sinful wine made a believer of me.

One of my first wine columns was on Zins so you know I’m a big fan, and they still rank # 1 in quantity in my wine cellar even with all the changes in style over the years.

QOTD: I’ll also mention the Congress Springs Zinfandels of the 80s. Not far from where I lived in Los Gatos, Ca. Now sadly gone – the winery that is. I was given cuttings of their 90+ year old vines, planted same, and could not believe how good the grapes were.

QOTD: I’ve had dozens of different zinfandels, and my favorite of all time would have to be the very first bottle of Turley.

A decade ago, we were in the restaurant at the Kapalua golf course on Maui, and the Turley was on their wine list for SIXTY DOLLARS. My memory may be hazy on this, but I believe that the grapes were from the Hone vineyard. My brother had a few sips, and then took a long, puzzled look at his glass, He then asked me in all seriousness, “Why doesn’t everyone make wine like this?” It was a classic zinfandel, lush with layer after layer of fruit and spice. And, although the alcohol level was 17%, there wasn’t a trace of heat.

QOTD :
As many have mentioned above the Lytton Spgrs is good & is one of the favs, but my current favorite is a small Sonoma producer – Wild Hog – & their Estate Zin. A solid new world effort. 2nd would be
Turley Old Vines Zin (can you tell I’m a New World guy ??) – also another WEST SIDE Paso Robles effort, like the Peachy Cyn on today’s show.
How many ? – too mant to count.

Let me just say, I LOVE D’artagnan’s! Go Carnivores! But seriously, love Zin’s as well and one of my fav’s has to be the Ridge late harvest zins.

Another great show of course. Loved that description of the Peachy Canyon, made me lol a bit.

QOTD: Ridge Geyserville
How many different Zin’s? Couldn’t say. If you include the big publci tastings ( I went to ZAP once), it has to be in the hundreds.

Hey Gary, first, I admit, I’m a LURKER. But I do enjoy your show and I have sent the link to all my wino buddies. Second I used to love Zins but got a bit tired of the ‘hotness’ of them. Right now I’m into Petite Syrahs and Malbecs. I enjoy the Chilean/Spainish wines because I can get value for $. But as I type this I’m enjoying a Shiraz from South Africa…now theres a country that needs more exposure here in the US. (I’m in the Boston area). Anyway keep up the great job and even tho I may ‘lurk’ most of the time I’m with you and the vanieacks.(?)
Cheers!

QOTD: Frank Family Vineyard has a great Zin for about 20 bucks… difficult to find anywhere but the winery, but worth seeking out. Great deal.
How many Zins??? Couldn’t begin to count!

I didn’t know Mott was an actor, I saw him in “Boogey Nights” he also played a camera man.
QOTD: Ridge Lyton East is probably the best Zin I’ve had, darn good stuff.

You know how much I like Kosher Wine. Let’s make a kosher cuvee of some great Napa Cabernet Sauvignon! How do I get a big winemaker to give me the OK?

I have visited Peachy Canyon, great Zins. Paso is a great area for wine tasting.