ZAP was last weekend and a great even is what is was! Here's a few of our favorites!

This young winery was new to us and we certainly enjoyed their Zinfandel. Jeff Fontanella met his wife at a Jimmy Buffett concert – can’t go wrong with a couple of Parrot Heads! The 2009 Fontanella Zinfandel, Napa Valley features bright fruit aromas and hints of blackberry cobbler, rhubarb, raspberry jam and blueberry. The solid core fills the palate with rich textures of spice, mocha and dark chocolate. The extended finish rounds out with balanced acidity and well coated tannins with lingering vanilla and dark berry notes. 850 cases produced. $38.00

Given the reputation of the vines and the limited production of Tofanelli Vineyards, they can still offer fruit to other notable producers such as Turley Wine Cellars, Schrader Cellars, and Orin-Swift (a.k.a. the 'Prisoner') Cellars. Absolutely classic. The aromatics of the 2008 Zin burst forward, with concentrated fresh boysenberry juice and hints of raspberry sorbet. Sweet pipe tobacco and vanilla scents add complexity. Mouth-coating dark fruits kick in, laced with allspice, clove and a dash of white pepper. On entry the wine is silky and juicy, with firm tannins supporting snappy Zin fruit expression. Ultra long finish. 91 Points – Robert Parker! $37.00

We’ve been fans of Benessere wines for a long time and the 2008 Zinfandel lives up to our expectations! The 2008 Black Glass Zinfandel from the Benessere Estate is brilliant medium red, with distinctive terroir and velvety texture. Spicy cherry and bright blackberry aromas that are complemented by clove and allspice tones carry through to the palate. We suggest pairing rib-eye steaks, lamb shank, blue cheese, and Belgian chocolates. The well-structured 2007 vintage will age well for the next six to ten years. $42.00

The Sierra foothills have proven to be an excellent place for growing Zinfandel. Known for their delicious Italian varietals, Vino Noceto also produces a great Zinfandel! The epitome of Foothill old-vine Zinfandel – dust and spice with complex, intense fruit. The Original Grandpere Vineyard is reputedly the world’s oldest, documented producing Zinfandel vineyard, situated behind Renwood Winery in Plymouth, California – dating back to the 1860’s. This 2008 vintage is a dark ruby color and its complex bouquet is full of rich, generous aromas of raspberry, vanilla and white pepper, with blasts of sweet cocoa and nutmeg. It provides an incredible depth of flavors including intense berry fruit, black cherry and dark bitter chocolate. It has rich, chalky tannins and a smooth but intense finish. $35.00

Old Vine Mendocino Zinfandel is a treasure. Grown on the benchlands and angled slopes of mountainsides — this wild-looking old vine Zinfandel offers fruit that winemaker Carol Shelton with her 30+ years of experience and creativity has transformed into a wine that is concentrated, intense, and flavorful. The newly released 2008 Carol Shelton Wild Thing Zinfandel was named for these wild looking vines and also for the uninoculated, or “wild,” yeast ferment that was used to create it. It takes a lot of effort to tame this wild fruit, but it is worth all the trouble. Aromas of black cherry, plum and raspberry fruit combine with a beautiful hint of vanilla-oak loveliness, smoothly textured in mouth, very creamy and round, the finish is long and has lush jammy fruit — this wine is dangerously good! Remember – you are what you drink. Special price - $22.00!

More next week – lots more great Zins!

Remember - you always get a discount when you order a case!

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Cheers!

WineStars

800.883.1838

winestar@winestars.com