Funny, I’ve actually had a lot of Zinfandels. In fact, last year the Heart of Sonoma Valley Wineries held a “Focus on Zinfandel” event, where some 15 wineries were highlighting their zins, including Wellington in Glen Ellen, which was tasting a flight of their old vine zins, so we could taste the difference that a growing season makes. Good times.

The best zin I’ve had? Gotta say it’s the Sebastiani ’05 Dry Creek Valley Zin. I keep referencing in my Cork’d review: http://www.corkd.com/wine/view/29393-Sebastiani_2005_Dry_Creek_Valley_Zinfandel Go read it!

QOTD: The best Zin I have ever had would be the Turley old vines. I have probably had about 10 different zins. My second favorite would be some of the Ridge wines.

I haven’t tried a Zinfandel yet. I almost bought a bottle of Ravenswood Zin today, but thought I’d wait and do a little research. If only I would of watch this episode before hand.

I’ve had 5 or 6 Zins. I really enjoyed the Peachy Canyon I had. It was a few years back, but obviously made an impact. Buena Vista makes a Zinfindel that I liked also. I was excited to hear the fake fruit comment in the Dancing Bull because I actually recently tasted that wine and got the “fake fruit” also….maybe I am making progres with my palate 🙂

QOTD: Turley Pesenti Vineyard maybe? Or one of the Martinelli Giuseppe & Luisas or Jackass Hills. Love Zinfandel. I’ve had a lot of different ones. IMO it’s the value varietal that California does best.

Probably a few dozen, but I don’t know how many were actually mine … Rombauer, Montevina, Tobin James, Adelaida, etc … last great one was a Trentadue La Storia, but honorable mention to a Renwood Zin and an A Mano Primitivo I had on successive days and you’d swear they were the same wine. A decent $10 wine at that, which is no bad thing.

Speakin’ of which, I found myself really wanting a zin this weekend, which is odd for me, but it struck me as an ideal burger thing to do … unfortunately, all I had was one primitivo and a Bogle Phantom that probably wasn’t ready yet, so I had to make do with another ESJ Shadow (terrific after a few hours of air) and the Dolianova Anzenas cannonau … smelled like dirty dirty fish, maybe a little cardboard later on–was it rustic or just mildly corked? Can I get a ruling on that?

QOTD : Favorite Zinfandel is a Turley Mead Ranch that I had with my wife’s boss. How much Zin have I had?… only the recycling center, and my liver know for sure. =)

QOTD: Probably had over 100 zins in my life – liked them much more a decade ago vs now. Although 2 zins would have stood out in any era of my preferences: 1997 Elyse Marisoli and 1998 Turley Aida.

Over the weekend had maybe the worst Zin I have had in a while – 2005 Rosenblum Richard Sauret vineyard. Stewed Prunes. The grapes got way overripe – you could tast the heat these grapes were under and too sweet. Almost port like. That was a style I do not care for.
Joe

OK, I’m a lurker…I just got a wristband (wife bought it for me)…so now I’m coming out of the dark lurker closet. Great show Gary.

–Lurker

QOTD: I think the best zin I remember having rencently was either the ’02 or ’03 Madrigal Zin. I’ve also enjoyed the J Wine Co. Zin, and the Joel Gott Zin is tasty at a low price point. My count would probably be 10-15 at home (not including tastings).

QOTD: I think the best zin I remember having rencently was either the ’02 or ’03 Madrigal Zin. I’ve also enjoyed the J Wine Co. Zin, and the Joel Gott Zin is tasty at a low price point. My count would probably be 10-15 at home (not including tastings).

correction on earlier post: Elyese Morisoli Vineyard (great) and the (BAD) Roseblum Sauret was a 2004 not 2005 vintage
Joe

QOTD: 2003 Storybook Mountain Napa Estate Reserve. Delicious! Probably had a dozen or so different zins. Not too many, but I definitely know my favorite.

Oh, I’ve had the Zabaco Dancing Bull…didn’t like it, but
my S.O. did…different strokes for different folks.

I would say that I’ve definitely cut back on the CA Red Zin consumption in lieu of expanding my horizons, but I have opened many bottles throughout the years. SKY Zin from Mt Vedeer is at the top of the list. Lately I have also been enjoying Ravenswood Napa Zin as it is nice and quite easy to find.

I would say that I’ve definitely cut back on the CA Red Zin consumption in lieu of expanding my horizons, but I have opened many bottles throughout the years. SKY Zin from Mt Vedeer is at the top of the list. Lately I have also been enjoying Ravenswood Napa Zin as it is nice and quite easy to find.

GV.
QOTD; The best zin year to year for me is Seghesio, about 18 bones, and I usually pair it with BBQ chicken or ribs, you have peaked my interest with your pairing idea, I never would of thought foie gras, but when you think about the fat content it probably would work well. I drink zins about once a month, more in the summer because its BBQ time.
Thanks for another great episode! I have had the Ravenswood Lodi zin, and though good, never thought it was exceptional, I guess that I will have to try the 2005 vintage.

My favorite are the Turley Zinns. The best are from the Hayne vineyard. Another one of equal quality is from A. Rafanelli from Dry Creek, fantastic. Both of the above are on the expensive side, but another that is good but less money and more readily available is Green & Red.

JamesN:

right on! both accounts! Seghesio is a hell of a zin – food friendly with nice acidic backbone. The Ravenswood Lodi (hiouse wine at the local Italian place donw the street) is surpringly “ok” given that Lodi is hell on earth (115 degrees usual duing summer – the one place in California no one wants to live in) but not outstanding by any meausure,
Joe

JamesN:

right on! both accounts! Seghesio is a hell of a zin – food friendly with nice acidic backbone. The Ravenswood Lodi (hiouse wine at the local Italian place donw the street) is surpringly “ok” given that Lodi is hell on earth (115 degrees usual duing summer – the one place in California no one wants to live in) but not outstanding by any meausure,
Joe

QOTD: Our favorite Zin is Marietta Angeli Cuvee. We’ve had a lot of zins partly because one of our friends is only drinking zins now. We pretty much like them all. My least favorite is BV Coastal Estates – my husband got it for a dollar a bottle – not worth it.

A Little Goose Liver never hurt anyone except the goose. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

haven’t really found any zins i’m crazy about – probably had about 20-25 up to this point. most have been selected by friends or i’ve had at parties usually too much hi-c flavors for me.
gary, love the episode with the foie gras…. my challenge to you is what wines have you liked with Uni (sea urhcin sushi). still haven’t found a better complement than sake. nice steely sauvignon blanc, gewurtraminers are ok. definitely didn’t match well with any reds to date.

Yo G,

Foie Gras is illegal in CA after this year. Thats some nasty liver! Anyway, Zins are good.

Good Episode, hope you had fun on the best coast.

-Wax

I think there’s a certain little Saturday Night Live cartoon action going on with those Thundercats. 😉