Good show.
QOTD: My fav Zin – PoodgieVille Winery Zinfandel 2007. wow. The price is only $7 a bottle, amazing.

Love Zins!

QOTD: So far, I’ve found that His Royal Majesty 48 LB Rooster is not too bad for its price point.

Sorry ’bout the Jets. Still, they’re no Browns, so keep yer chin up. Likewise, Zin is no Pinot Noir, or Cab, with stringent requirements of vine, weather, and process. With moderate skill and blending, you can easily end up with more friutiness and alcohol than a jelly jar can hold…often too much for my taste. Well over 20 years ago, my first fave was Madrona’s El Dorado. Ten years ago, at the Zap Fest in S.F., my extensive notes give the top tips of the hat to d-Cubed, Lava Cap (again, El Dorado), and Truchard. Within the past 5 years, Peter Franus’ Brandlin Vineyard is up there – a great guy too. But for even a non Zin guy like me, it’s easy to enjoy the best offerings from Paso, Amador, Russian River, and especially the vets, like Tom Burgess, up on Howell Mtn or Mount Veeder. With Zin it absolutely doesn’t have to be about cult producers, much as we may love the Turleys, and Jeff Cohn’s of the world.
If i drank zin, where I once said “pay no mare than $20-25 forthe top end”, even with a devalued dollar, I still say “TRY not to pay more than $30 or so for the tops”. Nice to see Michael David wines striving even higher.. Earthquake is real good. Was an old fan of Philips Family Mourvedre.

QOTD:
2003 Wild Hog Estate Zin (Sonoma County). Also had the pleasure of the unreleased 2007 Epoch Estate Zin from Paso Robles. Will be worth seeking out on release.

I am a big time Zin fan, and many of my favorites have already been mentioned. One that I didn’t see mentioned, and one of the best I’ve ever had, is the 2005 Old Ghost from Klinker Brick. It’s a nice mix between the the jammy fruit bombs that Lodi is famous for, and the more complex flavors offered by wines like Edizione Pennino. Definitely a good one!!

I am a big time Zin fan, and many of my favorites have already been mentioned. One that I didn’t see mentioned, and one of the best I’ve ever had, is the 2005 Old Ghost from Klinker Brick. It’s a nice mix between the the jammy fruit bombs that Lodi is famous for, and the more complex flavors offered by wines like Edizione Pennino. Definitely a good one!!

Best Zins of 2008 so far were from Klinker Brick (Lodi)…
1-Klinker Brick Old Vine Zin – $15
2-Klinker Brick Old Ghost Zin – $45

QOTD:
Orfila 05 “Gold Rush” Zin coming from the great San Pasqual Valley in Escondido CA. Great little zin, $20, great profile, just a tasty wine.

Great show, love the double blind shows, always good fun.

“You keep making them, I’ll keep commenting on them”

QOTD: Peachy Canon Incredible Red, ’03

QOTD: Peachy Canon Incredible Red, ’03

Love the blind tastings!! I am glad you taped this last week, otherwise you would really have been in a bad mood! Maybe you will be over it by the time you tape again.

QOTD Its has been mentioned before but I really love Truchard, although I do not drink too much Zinfandel.

I haven’t had much Zinfandel, but I’ve always been happy and satisfied with the Ravenswood Old Vine … affordable and delicious. So many wines are getting ridiculous in price. I enjoy a glass or two (or three) daily, and the rising prices make so many good wines unaffordable except on special (or rare) occasions. Anyway, I also tried a Scott Harvey Zin last week and was very pleased. It’s more earthy than the Ravenswood.

Great show Gary, blind tastings are always exciting. I’ve always had a desire to host one. As far as Zinfandel goes, in sad to say that the only one I have had is Ravenswood Vintner’s Blend. I do, however, have a Lodi Zin in my cellar waiting for the day I’m tired of Merlot.

Lately I’ve been pounding the 2006 Rombauer Zin half bottles.

I just bought a vertical (1999-2006) of the Rubicon Edizione Pennino Zin which I’m pretty pumped about.

Just return from Amador, Napa, Russian River, and Dry Creek and around 65% of the wines I purchased were Zins. Loving them.

Frank Family Zin 2005

QOTD: Gnarly Head Zin! By far… the prize point is outstanding and such a great zin!

QOTD: Cline got me hooked on Zin, and I want to try lots more. But at that price point…

So far I think Frank Family wins for me. Cloud 9 makes a good one, Petersons are good too.

Great show…Zin used to be my favorite, until I “expanded my palate.” Some of my faves: Frank Family, Seghesio…I also liked the Seven Deadly Zins (a good QPR for me).

Great show Gary, and just to answer your chalkboard…no…sorry, friend, but Matt Cassel and the New England Patriots defeated your beloved New York Jets. One more for the season sweep, I’ll buy you a beer at Gillette!

Robert biale…….do an episode.. the high end black chickens can be very complex.

QOTD: 2005 Stryker Speedy Creek

Zinfandel’s are just not my style. If you like fruit bombs then you will love um. Kinda a good example of what California is all about, big and over the top! Give me an old world type wine anyday. So much more character in a Bordeaux wine or other old world wine!

QOTD: Coturri Vineyards…delicious! And I’m not a Zin fan at all.

As predicted…Jets played

QOTD – Campus Oaks Old Vine Zinfandel, approx. $12 — cheap and cheery. But I picked up some Rosenblum Zins this weekend, which I look forward to trying and maybe adopting as my favorite.

Hope you will continue with the blind tastings. Blind or not, please offer your opinions regarding food/wine pairings (and some discussion as to why certain wines work with certain foods).