|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deux Amis Zinfandel
2007, Halling Vineyard |
|
 |
Deux Amis (duh zah
me), French for "two friends", is a
partnership between two friends, Phyllis
Zouzounis and Jim Penpraze. Six years of
working together in the wine industry
with many a late night relaxing over a
glass of Zinfandel after a long day on
the crush pad, found the two friends
envisioning their own winery. The dream
became a reality with the 1987 harvest.
That year, Deux Amis produced one
hundred cases of Zinfandel from one
vineyard in the Dry Creek Valley. Today,
Jim and Phyllis produce over 1500 cases
of wine from grapes grown in Sonoma
County's Dry Creek and Alexander
Valleys. Seeking an intense,
concentrated, delicious yet balanced Zin?
Sip here. The journey with the 2007 Deux
Amis Zinfandel, Halling Vineyard begins
with intense spicy blackberry and black
pepper aromas that entice you in. The
smooth, juicy entry reveals luscious
raspberry and blackberry, rich black
pepper and a touch of creamy mocha.
Balanced and integrated, this wine
defines Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel. |
 |
|
Price $24 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paradigm Zinfandel
2009 |
|
|
Ren & Marilyn
Harris have been growing grapes in Napa
Valley since 1964. They purchased
Paradigm in 1976 and totally replanted
the vineyard twice! Heidi Peterson
Barrett has been winemaker at Paradigm
since its first vintage in 1991. A Napa
Valley native and a graduate of U. C.
Davis, Heidi is the winemaker for some
of Napa Valley's most highly-regarded
wineries. The 2009 Paradigm Zinfandel is
dark ruby in color with nice, ripe fruit
aromas of black raspberry, red plum,
spice and black pepper. The flavors
reflect the aromas with bright notes
that give the wine personality and life.
This wine just makes your mouth water.
Medium bodied with lovely balance and
fine soft tannins. This wine's
versatility can be enjoyed with a wide
array of foods. |
|
|
|
Price $44 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Elyse Zinfandel
Black Sears Vineyard 2008 |
|
|
The
2008 Elyse Black-Sears Zinfandel
is dark ruby colored, with aromas of
white pepper, blackberries, and cedar
along with hints of bay and wild brush;
true to the Howell Mountain terroir. The
palate is elegant and generous, where
wild plums, apricots, and blackberries
mingle with creamy oak and sassafras.
This wine is seamless, with great fruit
purity, soft tannins and a complexity
that draws you in for another taste.
Less than 800 cases made. 92 pts Wine
Enthusiast. |
|
|
|
Price $40 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Graziano Zinfandel 2009,
Kazmet Vineyard, Mendocino |
|
|
This 40-year old Zinfandel vineyard is
farmed by Leila Kazimi and Neal Mettler
on the western foot¬hills of Redwood
Valley in Mendocino County. Gravelly
loam soils and the excellent exposure of
this vineyard combine to consistently
produce grapes that are intense and
ripe. Eighteen months of barrel aging in
30% new French and American oak has
softened the wine and added complexity
to the beauti¬ful berry aromas and jammy
flavors of blackberry, earth and spice.
This wine has a deep purple color,
smooth tannins and a peppery finish that
is elegant and long lasting. The Kazmet
Zin makes an ideal accompaniment to
barbecued chicken, roast beef, and
grilled steak or lamb. 91 Points – Wine
Spectator. |
|
|
|
Price $25 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Saxon Brown Zinfandel 2005,
Casa Santinamaria Vineyard
 |
|
|
Planted in the heart of Sonoma Valley
during the late 1800’s, Casa
Santinamaria is one of California’s few
remaining ‘field blended” vineyards.
Unlike the single varietal vineyards of
today, field blended vineyards – a
traditional European practice brought to
California by Italian immigrants – are
interplanted with a several
complementary varietals intended for the
final blend. The Saxon Brown Casa
Santinamaria Vineyard is planted to a
classic field blend of Zinfandel, Petite
Sirah, Carignane, Alicante Bouschet and
Mataro; all of which play a role in the
complexity and structure of the final
wine. The 2007 vintage has an intense
raspberry and dried cranberry signature
that seems to run from year to year,
along with black cherry/berry, dark
chocolate and sweet elegant oak tones.
On the mouth this wine has great
structure, acid and a mélange of dried
raspberry, mocha and dark chocolate dust
reminiscent of a decadent raspberry
chocolate torte. This is a very rich and
long wine. Only 350 cases made. |
|
|
|
Price $35 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter Franus
Zinfandel 2008, Brandlin Vineyard, Mount Veeder
|
|
|
As Peter Franus’s mother used to say
when he would take her up to Brandlin
Vineyard, high in the hills of Mount
Veeder, “ this is as close to heaven as
I am going to get.” It’s a magnificent
and magical setting where you can truly
feel the energy that ultimately finds
its way into the wine. The Brandlin
fruit always achieves great color. The
2008 Peter Franus Zinfandel is a
youthful dark ruby and prepares you for
the unmistakable terroir of the
vineyard—crushed stone, bramble fruit,
baking spices, bay, truffle and earth.
The wine has a depth, focus, structure,
and complexity uncommon in Zinfandel,
the hallmark of the Brandlin Vineyard.
This 2008 is a seductive, voluptuous,
and seamless wine with a long and smooth
finish. Tannins are supple with no hard
edges. Aging in French oak adds another
layer of complexity and elegance.
Limited. |
|
|
|
Price $39 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Auriga Zinfandel
2008, Suma Kaw Vineyards
|
|
|
The 2008 Auriga Zinfandel is truly a
classic Sierra Foothill Zinfandel. It
exhibits spice on the nose, fruit tones
of blackberry and bright cherry and
plum, with a dash of cinnamon and white
pepper. Rough and ready Zin, with
chocolate, cherry and blueberry flavors
that are extracted and jammy. The wine
is soft and dry, so super-rich in ripe
fruit. Aged 18 months on French Oak.
Only 279 cases produced. |
|
|
|
Price $25 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bald Mountain
Zinfandel 2006
|
|
|
The Bald Mountain Vineyard vines offered
little fruit for picking, but what they
did give was stellar. This is classic,
100%, old-vine 2006 Zin. Rife with
crushed berry, black cherry, raspberry
and notes of sassafras and licorice, it
warms both heart and palate. The wine
shows off a bright core of red fruit
matched with the jammy concentration we
come to expect from this well-drained
hillside vineyard. Only 100 cases
produced! |
|
|
|
Price $25 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Elyse Winery
Korte Ranch Zinfandel 2007
|
|
 |
The 2007 Elyse Winery Korte Ranch
Zinfandel is dark ruby red in color with
aromas of spicy berries, cracked black
pepper, and sweet earth. On the palate,
the wine is full bodied and lavishly
textured as it reveals brilliant flavors
of briar patch, wild plums, and
blackberry sorbet. This is a rich
Zinfandel that flirts with jamminess
while remaining amazingly balanced on
its way to a graceful and long finish.
Pair with stews, ribs, and wild game.
This wine is drinking wonderfully now
and, if you can manage to hold some
back, will age nicely for another 5 – 10
years. 93 Points – Wine Enthusiast. |
|
|
|
|
Price $37 |
|
|
|
Quivira Zinfandel
2009
|
|
|
With a classic Dry Creek profile, the
2009 Quivira Zinfandel has great depth,
with deep, dark red and black fruit
flavors. Cherry, raspberry and
blackberry join classic plum on a nice,
plump mid-palate. A little edgy right
now, a firm acidity tames the tension.
The fruit mingles with richer spice
tones as the wine almost struts to a
clean, lingering finish with impressive
finesse. Enjoyable now, this wine will
really start to open up in 12 to 18
months. Hold another 3-5 years (through
2015) to see where a little age takes
our star. A truly fantastic food
partner, this wine is the soul mate of
just about anything off the grill. If
you’re just looking for a great date,
try pizza or spicier cuisine. 91 points
– Wine Spectator!! |
|
|
|
Price $25 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lamborn Zinfandel
"The Abundant Vintage" 2009
|
|
 |
Lamborn Family Vineyards is located at
2,200 feet above sea level, high atop
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley. Howell
Mountain's volcanic soil, combined with
its distinct mezzo climate, provides
their small 8 acre vineyard with ideal
growing conditions. This environment
produces Howell Mountain Zinfandels and
Cabernet Sauvignons of the highest
quality and intensity, with all
winemaking by Heidi Barrett of Screaming
Eagle fame. The grapes which eventually
become Lamborn wines are exclusively
from their estate vineyard. The 2009
Lamborn Family Vineyards "The Abundant
Vintage" Zinfandel is deep black
raspberry in color with wide open aromas
of wonderful Howell Mountain ripe fruit.
The nose is loaded with jammy raspberry,
spice, black pepper, currants, and hints
of toast and vanilla. |
|
|
|
Price $46 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ottimino
Zinfandel, Rancho Bello Vineyard, Russian River 2007
|
|
 |
The 2007 Ottimino Zinfandel, Rancho
Bello Vineyard, Russian River is a BIG
Zin! Black cherry and pomegranate aromas
are laced with hints of white pepper,
Occidental dust, and vanillin spice. The
palate entry has gobs of fruit, with
cherry, bramble and ripe strawberry at
the core. Smooth, round tannins anchor a
great depth and concentration of flavor,
while the excellent balance makes this
Zinfandel a great food wine. Don’t miss
this one – 1089 cases produced. |
|
|
|
Price $27 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tofanelli
Zinfandel, Napa Valley 2008
|
|
|
Leaping out of the glass with notes of
black cherry, candied apple, raspberry
jam, orange zest and cola nut, rounded
out with hints of cedar, black tea and
cigar box, this Zin coats the palate
gently with supple, brambly fruit
concentration. Sophisticated, layered
and well-balanced, the wine’s natural
acidity marries perfectly with the fine
oak tannins that lend weight and length
to the mouth feel. Pairs nicely with
well-ripened hard cheeses such as French
Cantal. |
|
|
|
Price $37 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gamba Old Vine
Zinfandel 2009
|
|
 |
The sublime 2009 vintage produced an
enticing expression of Gamba Old Vine “Gamba
Estate Vineyard”. This must-have
Zinfandel reveals an attractive,
broodingly dark, yet brilliant crimson
color in the glass. Compelling aromas of
raspberry jam, toasted oak, and allspice
engages the senses, and draws you in
closer for the main event. Lavish layers
of bright, complex, and concentrated
fruit unleash a siege of flavors
combining boysenberry cobbler, oatmeal,
blueberry and pomegranate, all
gracefully fanning out on the palate.
Well structured, huge yet restrained,
polished and satisfying, the wine offers
a pleasing, refined spicy oak character
on the lingering finish. This treasured
Zinfandel was tended with care for 14
months, and aged in new American oak
cooperage to round out the rich fruit
flavors, contributing a striking
balance, and complexity to this
remarkably enjoyable wine. Gold Medal –
Orange County Fair, 92 Points –
California Grapevine. |
|
|
|
Price $45 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Elyse Morisoli
Zinfandel 2007
|
| |
 |
The 2007 Morisoli Zinfandel is always a
favorite of the house and this year is
no different. The old vines, volcanic
soil, Rutherford Bench terroir and field
blend always create a truly distinctive
Zinfandel. Dark ruby colored, it has
inviting aromas of wild berries, mocha,
dried herbs and hints of bacon and
strawberry preserves. On the palate,
flavors of raspberries, blackberries,
cola, plum compote and toffee lead to a
pleasingly lush texture. This wine shows
layers of gorgeous fruit with a deep,
underlying complexity that is so
characteristic of this vineyard.
|
|
|
|
Price $40 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amapola Creek Zinfandel 2007
|
| |
 |
The unique character of the Amapola
Creek 2007 Zinfandel derives from over
four decades of winemaking expertise
combined with the mountain terroir of
historic Monte Rosso Vineyard and its
famous red soils. The gnarly old vines
at Monte Rosso Vineyard produced a wine
with depth of fruit and subtle nuances
befitting its venerable origins. This
remarkable fruit enabled us to make a
truly distinctive Zinfandel. The wine
was aged for 17 months in a combination
of new and seasoned French and American
oak barrels. This beautifully balanced
wine offers a lush nose with abundant
ripe boysenberry and black raspberry
aromas and traces of fresh sage and
anise. Sleek and supple on the palate,
it displays rich, concentrated flavors
of black cherry and blackberry with
hints of mocha and spice on a lengthy
finish. This wine is unfined and
unfiltered. 90 Points Wine Spectator.
Only 313 cases produced.
|
|
|
|
Price $44 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edmeades Zinfandel, Zeni Vineyard 2006
|
| |
|
The Edmeades Zeni Zinfandels are almost
always old-world style wines. The 2006
has a lot of earthiness and dark
brooding aromas that are not often found
in Zinfandel. Deep raspberries, cassis
and creamy oak embody an old-world
funkiness of smoked meats, cedar box and
forest. This is a powerhouse wine:
concentrated and intense — a dark,
brooding beast of a wine with layers of
funk. It should be reserved only for
wild nights when the moon is full. |
|
|
|
Price $39 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edmeades Zinfandel, Shamrock Vineyard 2007
|
| |
|
The Shamrock Vineyard is new to us and
Edmeades has once again made a wonderful
Zin from this vineyard. This wine has a
bit of a split personality. From the
young vines we get a healthy dose of
youthful angst – dark dense and
brooding, kinda like your 15-year-old
nephew. But on the flip side it shows a
mature, powerful body structure – wise
beyond its years. The combination is
intense. Look for an overload of wild
blueberries, dark chocolate and dried
cherries, with an underbelly of vanilla
bean, toast and spice. This is a true
mountain Zin. |
|
|
|
Price $39 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edmeades Ciapusci Zinfandel 2007
|
| |
|
Big, powerhouse with lots of old vine
fruit, and as in the past the POWER
comes through in the big berry flavors.
Smokey rich and brooding, kind of like
sitting in front of a roaring fire and
getting lost in the hypnotic flames |
|
|
|
Price $35 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
J. Runquist "Z" Zinfandel, 2008
|
|
|
Planted during prohibition, the gnarled, dry farmed vines grown on the
Massoni Ranch in Amador County provide the grapes for the J. Runquist
"Z" Zinfandel. Grapes from these vines are vinified using techniques
developed specifically for the Massoni Ranch fruit. The result is a
fully flavored yet elegantly styled wine with a smooth soft finish.
The 2008 vintage wine has a deep ruby color. The aromas are
Classic Zinfandel; briary raspberry and plum fruit with minerals and
dust. The oak, while present, is a bit more restrained than previous
vintages adding a subtle layer of vanilla to the red Zinfandel fruit.
The flavors feature sweet raspberries carried on a rich velvety texture.
Medium full bodied with good structure, the finish is lengthy.
The “Z” has been a consistent winner in our world!
|
|
|
|
Price $27 |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
Elyse Korte Ranch Zinfandel, 2007
|
|
|
The 2007 Elyse Korte Ranch Zinfandel is bright ruby red
in color with aromas of citrus, lavender, dried raspberries, smoke and
roasted nuts. On the palate, this wine shows deep blackberry and black
cherry fruit flavors with notes of cola, coffee and mocha. This is a
rich Zinfandel, with some weight on the palate followed by a slightly
leather texture, good acidity, nice tannin structure and a long finish. Pair with beef stew, ribs, barbecue or smoked meats.
The 2007 Korte Ranch Zinfandel is drinking wonderfully now, but
if you can manage to hold some back it will age nicely for another 5 – 9
years.
|
|
|
|
Price $37 |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
D-Cubed Cellars Howell Mountain Zinfandel, 2007
|
|
|
Howell Mountain wines come
from above the fog. The region starts at 1,400 ft, but the two vineyards
D-Cubed uses are at about 1,800 ft and 2,400ft. This helps the wines
become intense and complex. Howell Mountain makes exciting and rich
wines that really stand apart from others and show the terroir from
which they are born. D-cubed
Cellars 2007 Howell Mountain Zinfandel has aromas of raspberry, wild
mushrooms, cedar and hints of orange peel. This Howell Mountain wine has
rich body and medium-full tannins that fill the mouth nicely. There are
wonderful flavors of raspberry, blackberry, porcini mushroom and cigar
box. The wine finishes long and rich with hints of wood and tobacco. 524
cases produced.
|
|
|
|
Price $42 |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
Storybook Mountain Estate Zinfandel, 2009, Mayacamas Range, Napa
|
|
|
Storybook Winery
features wines of forward fruit, supple balance and sensual promise. The
2009 Storybook Estate Zinfandel is their primary estate wine from 100%
Napa Valley organically grown estate grapes. Here you will find all the
richness and fruit for which Zinfandel is famous, plus the depth and
structure associated with Napa hillside vineyards, and the balance for
which Storybook wines are known. Crafted to be enjoyed on release, the
wine's notable depth and balance will continue its appeal well into the
future. “There's something about the way Zin ripens in the east-facing
hills north of Calistoga that appeals to me in my gut as much as my
brain. It has the freshness of blackberries picked on a hike in Point
Reyes. That wild berry flavor tinges toward brighter fruit, layering
vibrant strawberry, tart raspberry and cracked black pepper into a
savory Napa Valley red. Yum may not be a technical term, but I wrote it
twice in a 20 wine tasting, once for this wine and again for Storybook's
Antaeus. Balanced, sophisticated and elegant, this gains with air and
would be delicious with simple roast leg of lamb.” Wine & Spirits
Magazine. |
|
|
|
Price $38 |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
Sausal Century Vine Zinfandel, 2007
|
|
|
The Sausal 2007 Century Vine is their finest estate
Zinfandel, produced from dry farmed vines that are over 100 years old.
These vines, planted in 1877 along Sausal Creek still produce fruit that
embody the truest Zinfandel varietal characteristics. Old vines means
the fruit ripens differently and the end result is an intensely spicy
zin very unique! The wine then ages for 24 months in French oak barrels.
This Zinfandel is elegant and complex, and will pair well with juicy
steak, wild game or marinated pork. Sausal Century Vines Zin has
wonderful aromas of boysenberry, raspberry, sweet cherry, cinnamon and
black pepper. In the mouth, the wine has soft, chocolaty tannins and
ripe, concentrated fruit with notes of boysenberry jam, plum and pepper.
The Century Vines Zinfandel will cellar well for at least eight years.
|
|
|
|
Price $40 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
Dashe Cellars Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, 2008
|
|
|
The Dashe Cellars Dry Creek Valley 2008 Zinfandel
was particularly showy from the start, with its purple-black color,
perfumed aromas of violets and lavender, and rich flavors of black
raspberry, chocolate, and clove spice.
On the palate, you’ll enjoy black raspberry, cassis, chocolate,
clove spice, thick and velvety texture on the mid-palate, long
persistent finish of blackberry and black raspberry fruit, sweet
chocolate and spice. This wine
just bowled us over with its intensely aromatic nose, its round, lush
mouthfeel, and its array of complex flavors.
|
|
|
|
Price $28 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
Loxton Zinfandel, 2007 Hillside Vineyards
|
|
|
This 100% Zinfandel is from three different vineyards here in Sonoma
County. 50% is from a beautiful vineyard on Limerick Lane in Russian
River, 27% from the Gopfrich vineyard in Dry Creek and 23% from the
Stonetree vineyard in the Mayacamas mountains. This wine has continued
to improve since release late last year and is also a great wine for
summer BBQ. Good balance of fruit and alcohol, with a strong cherry
fruit character. 512 cases produced.
|
|
|
|
Price $28 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
C G DiArie "Southern Exposure" Zinfandel, 2006
|
|
|
Most of you are familiar with C G DiArie wines.
The man, who we call Captain Crunch, because of his many years in
food science, has put his experience and expertise into creating
fantastic wines. The “Southern
Exposure” designation for their wines denotes that they feel the wine
has very special qualities. The 2006 Southern Exposure Zinfandel was
made from grapes from the Original Grand Pere Vineyard.
The 2006 “Southern Exposure” Di Arie Zinfandel is a complex and
elegant wine. On the nose it has a rich fruity character of dark berries
combined with spicy notes and hints of black and white pepper. On the
palate the dark berry flavors quickly crescendo to layers of black
cherry, plum and cassis. Some of the flavors characteristic to Zinfandel
as white and black pepper and brier are combined with black current
(cassis) and plum which give the wine a hint of sweetness. The finish
has a spicy character with the cardamom background making this wine very
exotic. This well balanced wine with its unusually long finish fills
your mouth without being tannic. The 2005 “Southern Exposure” Zinfandel
has the elegance which compares to a well made Pinot Noir. 1203 cases made.
|
|
|
|
Price $41 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
Armida Poizin 2008
|
| |
 |
As she stands in the clearing, the cold wind dances
through the trees, swirling her golden mane over her diaphanous, silken
black gown. The full moon melts into the paleness of her skin. As she
stirs the cauldron of Zinfandel she chants an other worldly incantation.
From vials as old as the echoes of time she adds minute pinches of her
ancestry. Her slender fingers rub together as the grains fall, releasing
their magic as they touch the fermenting must. On her face is the look
of both good and evil, of love and hate, of life and sex and all that
stirs you. What is this unearthly potion? It is Poizin, the wine to die
for. Not quite deadly, this delightful Poizin is blended to be soft,
supple, and ready to enjoy NOW. The grapes come from Dry Creek Valley.
Adorned with a skull and crossbones, pair this bottle up with Armida’s
2008 Antidote Pinot Gris (see our Other Whites page) and you’ll have a
great gift idea! Bright fruit flavors are carried on a bed of soft
tannins. Oooh, spooky.
|
|
|
|
Price $26 |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
