|
|
2004 California Zinfandel Vintage Rates Excellent Zinfandel producers hit a homerun in 2004, as the vintage is the best so far produced in this decade. My evaluation is based on tasting more than 20 barrel samples of some of the best Zin producers in the world. The wines will be bottled soon and released in fall 2006 or spring 2007. The 2004 vintage is comprised of wines with excellent fruit concentration, relatively soft tannins, and the potential to develop complexity. Many are big and rich, and all should be enjoyed within the first five years of vintage. Although some Zins from outstanding vintages can last for a decade or longer, it’s a crime not to enjoy these wines when they are full of rich fruit and wonderful flavors. Most of these wines will be very drinkable within one year of release. The 2004 Zinfandels listed below are all barrel samples tasted in January 2006. Some may not be final blends, and others may change before they reach the bottle. My experience leads me to believe that barrel samples do give an accurate measure of what will appear in the bottle on release. The following wines are singled out as the best of those tasted with the caveat that only YOU can determine whether you like a wine by tasting it yourself! Note: Not all producers provided 2004 barrel samples, so there’s plenty of exploration left to do! J Ridge Vineyards, a perennial producer of great Zin, offered barrel samples of the 2004 Lytton Springs from Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma, which will be released in Fall 2006. Although possessing good potential, it seemed a little thin. The 2004 Mazzoni (Home Ranch) has excellent potential with good flavors and excellent concentration. 408-867-3233. Turley Wine Cellars, once again produced a 2004 Hayne Vineyard, Napa Valley Zin that was tannic, tasty and big with excellent potential if the tannins soften. 805-434-1030. Rosenblum Cellars 2004 Maggie’s Reserve, Sonoma Valley was too tannic to properly evaluate. Try again in one year. 510-865-7007. Seghesio Family Vineyards 2004 Cortina, Dry Creek Valley showed good concentration and flavors with excellent potential. 707-433-3579. Brown Estate Vineyards 2004 Napa Valley presents well with good concentration, slight sweet finish and good potential. 707-963-2435. Chateau Potelle Winery 2004 VGS, Mt. Veeder. Big, rich, thick, chocolate (cake), long finish,wow! Outstanding potential. 707-255-9440. Edmeades 2004 Perli Vineyards, Mendocino. Smooth, excellent concentration and mouthfeel. Excellent potential. 800-994-2454. Hartford Family Winery 2004 Fanucchi-Wood Road, Russian River Valley. Rich, nice balance, excellent potential, maybe outstanding. Hartford Family Winery 2004 Highwire Vineyard, Russian River Valley. Very tasty and concentrated, soft tannins. Excellent to outstanding potential. 800-588-0234 x31. Hendry 2004 Block 7, Napa. Good potential. Could be richer. 707-226-8320. Acknowledgement: The author thanks the Zinfandel Advocates and Producers (ZAP) for the opportunity to taste these wines at the 15th Annual Zinfandel Festival at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco on January 28, 2006. Over 8,000 people attended to taste about 600 different Zinfandels poured by 272 Zinfandel wineries. Wines were primarily from the 2002 and 2003 vintages with some 2004 barrel samples available. If you are interested in finding out more about ZAP, visit their website at www.zinfandel.org. Tel. 707-963-9632. 3/8/06 |
|
Contact: alchemist@wineperspective.com
The Alchemist's Wine Perspective™ |