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ZAP 10th ANNIVERSARY ZINFANDEL TASTING Over 9000 thousand Zin lovers flocked to the Tenth anniversary Zinfandel Tasting sponsored by ZAP (Zinfandel Advocates and Producers) on Saturday, January 27, 2001 at Fort Mason, San Francisco. For the first time, two huge buildings, the Festival and Herbst Pavilions, were needed to accommodate the 250 wineries and 9000+ participants. The first tasting in 1992 featured 22 wineries and 100 participants. Wow! What a difference 10 years make! Attendees had the opportunity to taste Zinfandel from the 1998 and 1999 vintages. Many of the 99s were barrel samples. The usual suspects starred in this extravaganza. Although I tasted some 1998s, they were reported last year. The following wines are recommended with parenthetical information (B=barrel sample, score, cost). All are from the 1999 vintage. Check with the winery for release dates. Chateau Souverain Winemaker Reserve, Buchiganani-Garcia Vyd, Dry Creek Valley (B, 90pts, $30) 707-857-4245; exotic, coffee nose; 100% Zinfandel, aged 9 months in French Oak (25% new); release July 2001. Downing Family Vyds, Fly By Night, Oakville (B, 90, $35) 707-399-wine. NOTE: This is a new winery with no vineyards of their own. Wine is made exclusively from purchased grapes. Why does everyone have to be a "family" vineyard? Geyser Peak Winery, Block Collection, Rancho Cucamonga (B, 94?, $30) 707-857-9463; Wait one or two years. Hartford Fanucchi Wood Road, Russian River Valley, (bottled, 91 pts, $29) 707-887-1756; Hartford Highwire Vyd, Russian River Valley, (bottled, 92 pts, $29); Hartford, Hartford Vyd, Russian River Valley, (bottled, 91?, $29); Could really improve with some bottle age. Hendry, Hendry Block 7, Napa Valley, (B, 96+, $25) 707-226-2130. Kendall-Jackson, Great Estates, Sonoma, (bottled, 91?, $N/A)707-571-8100. Miner Family Vineyards, Napa Valley, (bottled, 89?, $22) 707-944-9500; Lots of sweet fruit; could be better than 89 pts. Outpost Estate Wine, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, (B, 95 pts, $38) 707-965-1718; big and juicy with lots of sweet zin fruit. One of the best. Pezzi King Vineyards, Estate Bottled, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma, (bottled, 90 pts, $25) 707-431-9388; Impressive elegant style. Pezzi King Vineyards, Maple Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley, (B, 96 pts, $??); Wow! Big and rich while maintaining some modicum of elegance. The best I tasted? Ravenswood, Monte Rosso, Sonoma Valley, (B, 94+pts, $28.50) 888-669-4679; smooth, rich finish. Very nice. Ravenswood, Dickerson, Sonoma Valley, (B, 90pts, $??); Not as big as Monte Rosso; lighter finish. Ridge Vineyards, Lytton Springs, (B, 94pts, $??) 408-867-3233; 70% Zinfandel, 17% Petite Sirah, 10% Carignane, 3% Matara; This wine has character and pedigree; it's elegance is balanced with just the right amount of richness and complexity. Steele Wines, Du Pratt Vineyard, Mendocino County, (B, 92pts, $25) 707-279-9475. Turley Wine Cellars, Hayne Vineyard, Napa Valley, (B, 94pts, $??) 707-963-0940; lots of toasted oak flavors; needs time to reach equilibrium. Bottom Line: The 1999 vintage is vastly superior to 1998. ZAP describes itself as "…a non-profit, educational organization dedicated to advance the public’s knowledge of, and appreciation for Zinfandel, and its unique place in American culture and history." Robert Biale is the President and Rebecca Robinson is the Executive Director and can be reached at zaprr@oro.net.
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Contact: alchemist@wineperspective.com
The Alchemist's Wine Perspective™ |