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ZAP 2004 Over 8000 people were offered the opportunity to taste more than 550 different Zinfandels poured by 275 Zinfandel wineries at Fort Mason in San Francisco at the 13th Annual Zinfandel Advocates and Producers (ZAP) extravaganza on January 23. Wines were from the 2001 and 2000 vintage as well as some 2002 barrel samples. Based on my tasting, it’s difficult to say whether 2001 or 2002 is the better Zinfandel vintage. Many of the 2001s were thin, hollow, flavorless wines that bring into question the winemakers ability or the producer’s philosophy or both. Although about 65 wines were tasted, the wines from only ten producers were deemed good enough to appear in this article. Several of the usual suspects are absent because they either did not have 2001 or 2002 samples, their pours were too skimpy to properly evaluate the wine, or they were wines not worthy of mention. The following comments are offered with the caveat that only YOU can determine whether you like a wine by tasting it yourself! Ridge Vineyards, the perennial producer of great Zin, offered only barrel samples of the 2002 vintage, of which the Lytton Springs from Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma was tops. Although possessing excellent flavors, it seemed a little thin. The Geyserville blend was also very good and worthy of tasting again on release. Pricing not available. 408-867-3233. Turley Wine Cellars, once again produced a 2002 Hayne Vineyard, Napa Valley Zin that was smooth, tasty and big for the vintage with excellent potential. Pricing not available. 707-963-0940. Branham Estate Wines of Sonoma pour a tasty 2001 gem from Napa Valley. It possessed good concentration and flavor for a relatively modest price. $24. 707-942-1697. Rosenblum Cellar’s best offering was the 2002 Sonoma-Samsel Vineyard, Maggie’s Reserve showing good concentration and flavors with good to excellent potential. At $45, one might want to wait and taste again on release. 510-865-7007. Saddleback Cellars (Napa Valley) seems to always succeed where others fail. The 2001 Old Vine ($30) offering has very good to excellent concentration and buddy complexity. The 2002 is not as good. The 2001 Scout’s Honor ($32) is very nice with excellent concentration and flavors and a rich finish. 707-944-1305. Sobon Estate (Sierra Foothills) produced a very good 2001 Reserve, Shenandoah Valley Zin with good concentration and easy-drinking qualities. $24. 209-245-4455. St. Francis Winery & Vineyards produced a very tasty, smooth, well concentrated 2001 Reserve, Pagani Vineyard, Sonoma Valley Zinfandel that is most worthy of consideration. Pricing information not available. 707-833-0242. Steele Wines produced the best bargain with their 2001 Pacini Vineyard, Mendocino County Zin at $14 a bottle. Possessing excellent spicy fruit and flavors, it’s a delight to consume. At $18 is the 2001 Catfish Vineyard, Lake County offering which is good now and should improve with a year of bottle age. The Terraces 2001 Napa Valley Zin at $25 exhibits good concentration and flavor with excellent potential. It needs two more years in the bottle to show its true pedigree. 707-963-1707. Niebaum-Coppola Estates produced an interesting Zinfandel that requires further evaluation. The 2001 Edizione Pennino from the Rutherford appellation possesses good flavor and concentration on the palate, but is a little thin on the finish. Try again in one year. $44. 1-800-RUBICON. If you are interested in finding out more about ZAP, visit their website at www.zinfandel.org. Tel. 707-963-9632.
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Contact: alchemist@wineperspective.com
The Alchemist's Wine Perspective™ |