Loved the show. My wife and me look forward to each and every show that you do. Funny thing is my kids love to watch also. I mean they were busting up on todays show. You brighten our day even if you can’t find a good Zin. Keep trying to find wines of decent quality that we can find on the grocery store shelf!

Keep us laughing.

Sensei,

Love the blind tasting and as you even admitted, I think your scores are more honest without the preconceived notions and without knowing which large producer you might be slamming..:)

QTD – Love Gravity Hills Tumbling Tractor, Most Seghesio’s and Lambert Bridge Maple Vineyards.

Hopper

I think that the best zins for your buck are made by seghesio. They make several and I would love to see them tasted on the show.

I too have been hugely disappointed with a number of Cali Zins. There are of course some exceptions… Hanna 2005 Bismark Mountain is exceptional, and A. Rafanelli makes great Zin (both the 2005 and 2006 are outstanding) which you can only buy at the winery. If only I could get on their mailing lists, but no such luck here in Canada.

I’m not surprised at the scores, the first four wines are entry level.
My most recent favorite zins-Ancient Peaks and Four vines-either the Biker or The Sophistcate.
Worst zin- I had the Sebastiani and was not impressed

What up Gary! Been watching the show about a month now…. Loving the energy and enthusiasm you bring to the table! My dream is to become a small scale but high quality vintner and you are stoking the fire big time! Thanks bro…. keeo it up!
Some good Zins are Bogle old vine ’06, Peachy Canyon ‘Incredible Red’, and just tried one last night called Zagan’s Fire that was pretty darn good too, and all for under $10 on sale! Cheers!
Santa Barbara, CA in the house!

Absolutely awesome show. The very reason blind tastings with Gary are what the industry needs. I hate the word industry when discussing wine. It takes bigs ….. to stand up and do what is not simple to accomplish. The right thing is seldom easy. This is the only way to let those that care know that change needs to take place. Short term fakes can only fool the ignorant. Long term fakes combined with good communication will kill the those winemakers that don’t care to be real. I have loved almost everything that comes from Howell Mountain vinyards. Over oaked is over oaked. This is why Gary’s cander is truely appreciated. Once again, the vital reason that blind tastings are the way to go. The only mistake you made Gary, was showing a little embarressment for being honest in regard to a big name. Keep up the high level of integrity Gary.

On the bargain end, I think Cline’s Zinfandel California (under $10) delivers more than you’d expect. Keeping it under $20, I’d say Trentadue, Cline’s Ancient Vine, Dry Creek, and Opolo’s Summit Creek do the job. If I want to spend more money, I like Frank Nerelli’s ZinAlley 06 Zin.

Tough show, G. Every wine/varietal needs a good asswhooping from time to time.

QOTD: I don’t remember the worst Zin I’ve had as they’ve all been pretty solid lately. Personal faves that don’t break the bank: Edmeades, Peterson, and V Sattui.

Qotd The Zin that rocked my world was my familys home made Brown Dog 2 1998 Zin. The Zin that let me down was believe it or not the Neyers it was good but not as great as Gary said. I’m trying the Murrietas Well 2006 Zin on Thanksgiving.

Gary, Great (as always) and VERY interesting show – Rosenblum usually receives pretty good marks for their Zins. My fave Zin currently is Ridge (Dry Creek). Also, would be most curious to see you do a blindtasting of Lodi Zins to see if they fare any better. If you get a chance, I’d also be curious about your review of a new garage Zin called SideJob. Experienced it at a “new award winners” tasting this past Summer, liked it, bought some.

Ribeye Steak and peppery zin – one of God’s greatest pairings.

QOTD: Two recent faves are Layer Cake Primitivo ’06 and Earthquake Zin from Lodi.

Gary,

FYI: QB ratings as of this week – Brett Favre 94.1 / Jeff Garcia 94.5

I…ME…Mine…Tampa Bay Bucs (8-3) – #2 seed in the NFC just behind those worthless Giants. lol

You recommended the Rosenblum 2006 Petite Shirah some time ago and it was delicious.

congrats on the jets domination of a win!

QOTD: Recently i had the Chateau Montelena Zinfandel im sorry i foget the vintage, but i only paided 15 bones and it brought some serious tunder!

QOTD. Worst lately, Ravenswood Vintners Blend. Best, Ridge Geiserville, or Lyton Springs.

QOTD: Have had enough ‘meh’ zins that I’ve stayed away from them.

When/if I make myself some spare time, I’m going to do some research to find out why quality zin seemingly can’t be produced for under $20/bottle…

Great show! I really enjoy the blind tastings.

QOTD
Best: Hendry Zin Block 7 2005
Worst: Mia’s Playground or ZinMan

A lot of wines today! I’m surprised about the results as well. Only one mediocre Zin out of 6!

Question? Why are Zins associated with turkey day?

QOTD: Four Vines Zin is pretty good and its around $11.

QOTD: Haven’t been drinking that many zinfandels lately, but am very fond of Andretti Winery 2005 Zinfandel-Primitive Blend.

I’m campaigning for a Cabernet for Thanksgiving – maybe Ridge Montebello

Wow, the Jets really came through for you. Sounds like you’ll never let them go now.

QOTD= The secret pack Zin rocked big time!! (sorry if i ruined it for anyone) I couldnt wait. Tin Barn Zin sucks

For one of my rare de-lurking posts:

Louis M Martini, Monte Rosso “Gnarly Vine” Zinfandel 2005 was something that rocked me.

Francis Coppola ’05 Zinfandel (Diamond Red Label) was not bad, really.

Recently had a bottle of Chouinard 1997 Zinfandel, Lodi, California, “Old Vines” Mohr-Fry Ranches. 14.1% alcohol. It was wonderful, even if perhaps a year or so past prime.

Kudos, of course, to the Jets.

Another Favorite Zinfandel is the Alexander Valley Sin Zin.
It would be awesome if that made it into one of your reviews!

I was disappointed to see such a poor showing by Ravenswood.
I usually buy Ravenswood wines and as a general rule feel they’re
normally great wines.

I was happy to see central coast wine make a showing.. would love you to do a blind tasting of some major central coast offerings… would be cool!

QOTD: My palate definitely doesn’t do well with the fakey oak, reverse-osmosis style, where residual sugar has been added to sugarfy the fruit with Megapurple concentrate. I’m afraid you’ll find that style with many of the Cali Zins under $10.

I favor RRV and Lodi, along with a few from the Sierra Foothills and Paso.

Love Ridge, Seghesio, Copain, and Carlisle. Some past memorable Zins: 1997 Cline Bridgehead, 1999 Martinelli Giuseppe & Luisa (almost too rich and high alc.!), 1999 Hanna Bismark Ranch, 2002 Jessie’s Grove Westwind (EXCELLENT!).

QOTD: Best lately was a Papapietro-Perry (can’t recall the vintage). I don’t drink Zin that much, so I can’t recall the worst lately.