Carol Shelton Wines - Three 2005 Zinfandels

Today’s stop for the 12 Days of Zin takes me back to a Sonoma County Winery. Carol Shelton the winemaker and co-owner of Carol Shelton Wines spent 20 years at Windsor Vineyards making well regarded, award wining wines. In 2000 she decided to focus on her own wines. Not surprisingly she decided to focus on her long time passion for Zinfandel. Today I’ll look at three of her Zin releases. While she is a Sonoma based vintner, she sources fruit from numerous regions in California to produce a broad range of wine.

The 2005 Carol Shelton Wild Thing Zinfandel is 90% varietal and 10% Carignane. The fruit for this selection was sourced from the Cox Vineyard in Mendocino County. Cox Vineyard is an organically grown, Old Vines vineyard planted in 1956. 1935 cases of this wine were produced and the suggested retail price is $28.

Red and black raspberry, along with vanilla and cedar fill the nose of this wine. Cherry notes along with continued raspberry fill the palate of this wine which is rich and round but also well proportioned and never over the top. This is a smooth, lush Zinfandel that drinks easily. The finish has black pepper, a touch of bramble and goes on for awhile. The hallmarks of Mendocino fruit show up in this well made Zinfandel. I paired it with a dish of Pasta in Bolognese sauce and found it to match that perfectly.

The 2005 Carol Shelton Monga Zin is 100% varietal. The fruit was sourced from the Lopez Vineyard in Cucamonga Valley. This is an old vine vineyard planted in 1918. The wine was aged in a combination of new and older French and American oak barrels for 13 months. 1,230 cases of this wine were produced and the suggested retail price is $21.

An avalanche of red raspberry fruit emerges from the nose once this Zin has had a chance to breathe. It’s a bit tight at first and a solid hour in the decanter is highly recommended. Raspberry notes, accompanied by cherry and nutmeg spice emerge through the palate of this wine which is big, rich, mouth-filling and opulent. There’s nothing small or mellow about this selection. The immense fruit continues through the finish which also features emerging mocha notes. Despite its size the wine features fine structure and acidity. It’ll be an excellent match for braised short ribs, osso bucco or other similarly hearty cuisine.

The 2005 Carol Shelton Rocky Reserve Zinfandel is 100% varietal. The fruit was sourced at the Florence Vineyard in Rockpile, Dry Creek Valley. The wine was aged for 13 months in French, American and Hungarian oak barrels of varying ages. 698 cases of this Zin were produced and the suggested retail price is $33.

As with the Monga Zin, the Rocky Reserve needs some time in the decanter to really shine. Once it opens up, blueberry, blackberry and subtle strawberry notes emerge in the nose underscored by vanilla. The palate is filled with dark fruit flavors accompanied by black pepper and pie crust spices. The finish has emerging bakers chocolate notes interspersed with white pepper and hints of dusty earth. Solid structure and good acidity are even more pronounced in the Rocky Reserve Zin than the others. An excellent match for a double cut pork chop or other grilled meats.

The hallmark of the Carol Shelton Zinfandels is quality and distinction. Each of these wines is well made and indicative of where its fruit was sourced. All three are enjoyable to drink now, but each will improve for a couple of years and drink well for several more after that. Without question, these are Zins to seek out.

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Sobon Estate - 3 2006 Zinfandels

Today, the 12 Days of Zin stops in Amador County. Without question, it's Zinfandel that the folks in Amador County are best know for producing. That's not to say they don't make some other varietals very well, because they do. But Zinfandel is their calling card to the wine world. Sobon Estate was founded in 1989, but the family has a history in Amador dating back over 30 years. They make an array of wines, including quite a few Zinfandels. Today I'll look at three of their Zinfandel releases. The 2006 Sobon Estate Old Vines Zinfandel is 90% varietal. Barbera (6%), Syrah (2%), and Sangiovese (2%) are also blended in. This wine was aged in a combination of older French and American oak. 11,000 cases of this release were produced and the suggested retail price is $13.95

This wines nose is full of jammy berry fruit and a touch of Cinnamon that emerges more prominently as the wine opens up. The palate leans towards intense dry fruit and berry flavors that are very rich and concentrated. The finish has a touch of sour cherry along with black pepper and earth that emerges as it opens up. While full of jam fruit this wine has good acidity and will pair well with ribs and other BBQ items. For a price point under $15 and wide availability this is the sort of Zin to consider grabbing a case of as it a good value and a crowd pleaser that you won't mind opening any night of the week.

The 2006 Sobon Estate Rocky Top Zinfandel is 92% varietal with the balance comprised of Petite Sirah (4%), Carignane (2%) and Barbera (2%). The fruit for this selection is 100% organic and from their Estate Vineyards. 4,050 cases of this Zin were made and the suggested retail price is $17.

Cedar and vanilla notes lead the nose followed by dark and light berry fruit notes. Cherry, both red and black, is the most dominate fruit through the palate of this Zin. The mid-palate features some black tea notes that linger and carry through to the finish which has black pepper and a ton of spice in general along with tobacco notes, continued cherry and a touch of bramble. This Zinfandel has good acidity and balance. While it's pleasing out of the bottle, a solid hour in the decanter at this point in it's evolution is recommended to get this wine to show at its best. It drinks well on its own but will be best served by matching it with hearty, full flavored cuisine.

The 2006 Sobon Estate Hillside Zinfandel is widely available for close to $10. As with the other Zins from Sobon I'm looking at today it's finished with a screw top closure.

The nose of this Zinfandel bursts out of the glass with fresh red berry pie notes accompanied by an undercurrent of vanilla and nutmeg spice. Berry compote along with spice and light earth emerges throughout the palate of this offering. The finish features some wild strawberry notes along with continued spice and vanilla notes. This a fruity, concentrated wine that's quite lovely. It belies its price-point providing truly spectacular value. As with the other Sobon Zins it certainly benefits from decanting. This is a balanced wine with good acidity. It'll pair nicely with a burger, mushroom based dishes or strong cheeses.

The Sobon Estate wines I've looked at today have several hallmarks. They are well balanced, with concentrated, rich flavors. And without exception they are excellent values within their price points. These wines are generally available, I highly recommend picking them up and experiencing the excellent things the Sobon family is doing with Zinfandel.

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Quivira - 2006 Wine Creek Ranch Zinfandel

The first stop today during the 12 Days of Zin is in Dry Creek Valley. Quivira has been around since 1981 but has undergone quite a few changes in recent years. In addition to new ownership and wine making teams they're now a Bio-dynamic and Organic winery. Since 2005 all of their power needs have been supplied by a solar electric system. They produce an array of different wines, including three different Zinfandels. Today I'll look at their Wine Creek Ranch Zinfandel. The Quivira 2006 Home Creek Ranch is 100% varietal. It was aged for 10 Months in French oak (20% of it new.) Less than 1,000 cases of this wine were produced and the suggested retail price is $34.

Vanilla plum, cedar and eucalyptus lead the nose of this Zinfandel. The palate is full of dark berry and plum pudding notes with a persistent undercurrent of dark chocolate underpinning everything. The lingering finish features hints of white pepper, nutmeg and earthy bramble. Good acidity and firm tannins provide a well structured wine that's approachable and well balanced. Red meats and wild mushroom based dished are both safe bets to pair with this wine.

What I like best about the Quivira Wine Creek Ranch Zinfandel is that it's accessible enough to drink now, but structured enough to improve over the next few years and drink well for several more after that. A fine example of Dry Creek Zinfandel.

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Collier Falls - 2004 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

The second stop today takes the 12 Days of Zin back to Dry Creek Valley. A tremendous number of well made Zinfandels emerge from this region each year and they have been for a long time. The selection I'm looking at now is from Collier Falls Vineyards. They're a family owned winery on 100 acres in the extreme northwest of Dry Creek Valley. In addition to Zinfandel which is one of their signature wines, they also produce Cabernet Sauvignon, Primitivo and Petite Sirah. The 2004 Collier Falls Vineyards Zinfandel is 100% varietal. The wine was aged for 15 months in French and American oak with 37% of it being new. 1,100 cases of this wine were produced and the suggested retail price is $30.

Strawberries, plum and cherry notes emerge in the nose along with light but present vanilla. The palate features lots of exuberant but balanced jam berry fruit accompanied by blueberry pie crust notes. This Zin is persistently fruity, full, lush and rich throughout. The finish has dust, earth dried fruit notes and bramble along with some mineral that linger. This wine has good acidity and is nicely balanced. It's built for food and will complement a variety of foods well. A burger or steak fajitas are just a couple of the options that come to mind.

What I like best about this Zinfandel is that it's full of concentrated, intense and persistent fruit notes that impress with both their power and their restraint. The four years of age this Zin has on it now has certainly helped make this a wine that is ready to go. Enjoy it now and for the next 5 years or so. A classic example of Dry Creek Zinfandel.

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Titus Vineyards - 2006 Napa Valley Zinfandel

The first stop today during the 12 Days of Zin is Napa Valley. While a wide array of wines are made in Napa, many of them well Cabernet Sauvignon is the undisputed King of the Valley. Sometimes it's hard to focus on the other varietals that do so well there. Zinfandel is one of those varietals. The ones sourced from Napa fruit can often by a bit more refined in style and age-worthy than the average Zinfandel. Today I'll look at one from Titus Vineyards. They're a small family owned and run winery that focuses on a handful of varietal releases and several blends. While Cabernet Sauvignon is their flagship wine, they are known amongst those familiar with them for having a house style that focuses on showcasing quality fruit in a balanced manner. The 2006 Napa Valley Zinfandel from Titus Vineyards is 86% varietal with the balance made up of Petite Sirah. The fruit was sourced from their own dry farmed vineyard on the Silverado Trail featuring vines with a minimum age of 35 years. This Zinfandel was aged for 16 months in American oak. Just over 1,800 cases of this offering were produced and the suggested retail price is $27.

Vanilla, cedar black raspberry and plum notes fill a very fragrant nose. From the very first sip chocolate covered red cherry notes are prominent throughout the palate. They're underscored by black cherry, nutmeg and an abundance of fruitcake spice. Earthy bramble, continued spice and lingering berry notes are featured in the substantial finish. This wine is well structured with solid but very approachable tannins. Good acidity is also present leading to a balanced, food friendly Zin. I found this wine to be an excellent match for a well marbled steak.

What I like best about this particular Zinfandel is two-fold. It's balance and harmonious nature is one of the hallmarks that stands out. The other is the dark, brooding nature of this selection, no doubt aided by the generous portion of Petite Sirah. These grapes are natural partners and when they work well together as they do in this case they really enhance each other. An excellent Zinfandel from Titus Vineyards, this selection should improve for a couple of years and drink well for another 5 or 6 after that.

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Tofanelli Family Vineyard - 2005 & 2006 Zinfandels

After a 2 day hiatus the 12 Days of Zin continues. Today's stop during the 12 Days of Zin involves a legendary name in Napa Valley Wine. Tofanelli is a name that wine lovers have seen on bottles for many years. Their reputation as a grower precedes them. Wineries such as Duckhorn, Turley & Spottswoode to name a few have been sourcing premium fruit for vineyard designate wines from the Tofanelli vineyard for many years. In addition to dry famed, organic fruit that they sell to other producers, Tofanelli also makes a limited amount if wine under the Tofanelli Family Vineyard label. Charbono and Zinfandel are their focus. Today I'll look at consecutive vintages of their Zinfandel. The 2005 Tofanelli Family Vineyard Zinfandel is 100% varietal. The wine was aged in French oak for 16 months. 20% of the barrels were new with the balance being between 2 and 4 years old. A mere 499 cases of this Zinfandel were produced and the suggested retail price is $36.

Plum, dark berry and vanilla fill the nose of this wine. From the very first sip zest of orange peel and mocha notes fill the palate. The mid-palate is rich, full and intense loaded with berry fruit, earth and persistent mocha notes. The finish is long and layered with cherry, mineral notes and continued hints of earth. The length is long enough to be noteworthy and impressive. This is a pretty big Zin full of robust flavors. It's balanced by good acidity and stays in check. It's drinking well now but I'd expect it to improve over the next couple of years and drink well for another 5 or so after that.

The 2006 Tofanelli Family Vineyard Zinfandel is 96% Estate Zinfandel and 4% Estate Petite Sirah. The vines for this wine range in age from 21 years (a small percentage) to 78 years old (the majority). The wine was aged in 20% new French oak barrels. 466 cases of this wine were produced and the suggested retail price is $36.

Not surprisingly the 2006 is a bit tighter and more reticent out of the bottle than the 2005. While the 2005 benefited from decanting and really opened up wide, the 2006 really needs the air at this point. Once it has had that opportunity to breathe it shows all the hallmarks and characteristics of the 2005. The orange zest and mocha notes that are so impressive in the 2005 may in fact be a bit more pronounced in the 2006. The finish also features a bit more spice. Once again it's a persistent and impressively long ending to a very enjoyable and layered effort.

What stands out to me more than anything about these two vintages of Zinfandel from Tofanelli is the consistency of style and quality. It's easy to see how a year from now the 2006 will be even closer in profile to what the 2005 is right now. Well made, consistent Zinfandel from Estate fruit that can age is often a wonderful revelation. These two examples from Tofanelli are that.

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2006 - Earthquake Zinfandel

Lodi is the first stop today during The 12 Days of Zin. The Lodi appellation is well known amongst Zin lovers as the source of a multitude of well known Zinfandels. Many of the ones originating from this area are from the bigger, jammier side of the varietal. The Earthquake label is part of the MIchael David Family of Wines. Under this sub-label they make four varietal wines. The 2006 Earthquake Zinfandel from Michael David Family of Wines has small amounts of Petite Sirah and Syrah blended in. The wine was aged in American oak for 12 months. The suggested retail price for this wine is $28.

This Zinfandel isn't for the faint of heart or those looking for a subtle wine. Earthquake Zin is anything but. Plum, cinnamon, and mulled berry fruit notes fill the nose. Throughout the mid-palate its a rich opulent, jam-filled, expressive example of Zinfandel. Black Raspberry and vanilla notes emerge throughout the palate and lead to some pie crust notes on the finish along with mocha as well as lingering spice and plum. This is a big wine, yet it's fairly smooth and goes down incredibly easily.

If you like your Zins big, bold and full of jam flavors, Earthquake Zin might just be what you're looking for. It manages to have a fair amount of acidity and drinks well on its own as well as paired with substantial foods.

What I like about Earthquake Zin and the other Michael David Wines is their consistency. Having had many of them over a number of years I find that they deliver a solid and representative product time after time.

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Truett-Hurst Winery - 3 Zins

During the 12 Days of Zin I'm looking at a wide array of wine from all sorts of producers, big, small and everywhere in between. Additionally some of them have been around a long time and some of them not. Today I'm looking at Truett-Hurst Winery. They are a new Biodynamic Farm and Winery in Dry Creek Valley. They've planted themselves on 24 acres and in addition to vines they will have gardens, livestock and more. While they get that up and running they've released wines that have been made from purchased fruit. I'm looking at three of their brand new Zinfandel releases. First up is the Truett-Hurst 2006 Three Vineyards Zinfandel. The fruit for this wine was sourced from three vineyards, two in Dry Creek and one in Russian River. 97% of wine is Zinfandel with 3% Petite Sirah blended in. This offering spent 12 months in a combination of French and American oak. 2,674 cases of this Zin were made and the suggested retail price is $24.99.

The Three Rivers Zinfandel has a huge nose of berry fruit, underscored by spice notes. From the first sip through the palate a solid core of strawberry, red raspberry and cherry bursts out and coats your taste buds. The cherry notes carry the most prominently from the mid-palate through to the finish which also has excellent white pepper notes and earth that becomes more prominent as the wine opens up. This offering has excellent acidity and is nicely structured. While it has some jam fruit elements it's a well balanced and proportioned wine built to compliment food. The small dollop of Petite Sirah adds to the structure and enhances the darker fruit components.

Today's second Zinfandel from Truett-Hurst Winery is the 2006 Red Rooster. This wine is 100% Zinfandel and all Dry Creek Valley fruit. It was aged in French and American oak for 14 months. 2,084 cases of this Zin were made and the suggested retail price is $28.99

Plum and blackberry jam fill the nose of this wine. From the first sip forward a tone of blackberry fruit fills this selections palate along with cracked black pepper. The mid-palate has some lovely black tea notes that linger, teasing the tongue and carrying through to the finish which is filled with mineral notes, additional pepper and a touch of bramble. This wine is rich, luscious and mouth-filling throughout. Balance is once again an appropriate descriptor as this Zin keeps its flavors nicely in check. This will pair beautifully with a hangar steak or other grilled meats.

The third and final wine I'm looking at today from Truett-Hurst is the 2006 Rattler Rock Zinfandel. This offering is 100% varietal and all Russian River Valley fruit. The Rattler Rock Zin spent 14 months in a combination of French and American oak. 984 cases of this selection were produced and the suggested retail price is $28.99.

Red raspberry, plum and white pepper are the chief components of a big, expressive nose. Taking the first sip I was hit with additional raspberry which was also joined by cherry and subtle but present vanilla notes. Spice fills the mid-palate with nutmeg and cardamom emerging the most prominently as they glide over the solid core of fruit. The finish features earth and bramble along with black pepper and a touch of sour cherry. In comparison to the other two wines this has a few more layers and a more evident structure. I'd expect this one to age nicely and drink well for the next 3-5 years.

All three Zins from Treutt-Hurst Winery are notable. They each have their own strengths and shining characteristics. However, Balance and proportion are things they share the most prominently. These are well made wines, ready to drink now and accompany an excellent meal. That said, their style, balance and structure suggest that each of them will drink well for a number of years. It's particularly impressive to see results like these from a brand new operation such as Truett-Hurst Winery. It bodes well for the other wines they have recently released as well was the style of wine they will be producing on a go forward basis. These are worth making an extra effort to seek out.

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Dry Creek Vineyard - 2 Zins

Today's stop for the 12 Days of Zin is Dry Creek Valley and the winery that bears its name. Dry Creek Vineyard in Sonoma is a venerable part of Sonoma County's wine history. For over 35 years they've been at the forefront of positive change and innovation in the wine industry. This family owned winery produces a bevy of varietals. Sauvignon Blanc is perhaps the one they are best known for, with Zinfandel likely ranking a close second. Their association with Zin includes being the first winery to coin the term "old vines." Today I'll look at two of their current Zinfandel releases. The 2006 Heritage Zinfandel is 88% varietal and 12% Petite Sirah, all from Sonoma County. This Zinfandel spent 10 months in American and French oak, 36% of it being new. Just fewer than 12,000 cases of this offering were produced and the suggested retail price is $17.

Upon opening and tasting this wine the first thing I found is that a nice solid 45 minutes in the decanter is hugely helpful. After it opens up though, it's a very expressive wine. Plum and Blackberry notes fill the nose. The palate is loaded with lots of jammy berry fruit underscored by mocha and spice characteristics. The finish has just short of an avalanche of white pepper along with light but emerging earth characteristics, bakers chocolate notes and some dusty bramble. This is a well balanced Zinfandel, that's a fine example of what the varietal can be in Sonoma County. The Petite Sirah blended in adds deep, dark notes and some structure.

The 2005 Old Vine Zinfandel is 90% varietal and 10% Petite Sirah. All of the fruit is from Dry Creek Valley vines that average over 80 years of age. This wine spent 18 months in French oak, 57% of it new. The suggested retail price for this wine is $28.

While the 2005 Old Vines Zinfandel is a bit more immediately accessible than the 2005 Heritage Zin, decanting is still hugely beneficial for maximum pleasure. Once it fully opens up, eucalyptus, dust and dark berry fruit fill the nose. From the very first sip cherry notes are prominent and carry through the palate. A multitude of spice notes including white pepper, nutmeg and others are also prominent. Earth, continued spice, dust, bramble and mocha notes are part of a lengthy pronounced finish. This wine is very well balanced with tremendous acidity. The 3 years of age on this Zinfandel have helped it come together into a nicely proportioned package. While it's drinking well now it should age effortlessly for five to 8 years. This is a classic example of Dry Creek Zin.

Both of these Zinfandels from Dry Creek Vineyard are well made and good values within their respective price range. Over the years I have thought of Dry Creek Vineyard as a dependable producer of well made wine. These two Zinfandels simply underscore that idea.

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EOS Winery - 2005 Zinfandel & 2006 Zinfandel Port

The 12 Days of Zin continues today with a stop in Paso Robles. A few months back when I was looking at Petite Sirah for 12 Days, the wines from EOS impressed me. So when I set out to take a look at a wide array of Zinfandel's it was a no brainer to see what EOS could do with Zin. I'll take a look at two from them today. One is their 2005 Estate Zinfandel and the other their 2006 Zinfandel Port. The 2005 EOS Estate Winery Zinfandel is 87.9% Zin with the balance being made up of Petite Sirah. All the fruit was sourced from their Brothers Ranch Estate vineyard.  The wine was aged for 22 months in a combination of French and American oak ranging from new barrels to neutral. The suggested retail price for this wine is $18.

Blueberry, plum, cedar and vanilla note lead a vibrant nose that bursts from the glass. From the very first sip there are copious amounts of berry fruit notes throughout this wines palate. It approaches being jammy but really stops just short of that. Once the wine opens up (30 minutes in the decanter is my recommendation) it's robust and exuberant yet well in check and balanced. Spice notes start emerging in the mid-palate and carry through to the finish which also features a bit of emerging earthiness. The generous percentage of Petite Sirah added to this Zinfandel provides structure, depth and some deep dark flavors. These grapes are natural partners and they shine together. This Zinfandel from EOS will be a good match for grilled, highly flavored meats, but will also match well with a dish of pasta.

What I like best about this Zinfandel is that it provides excellent varietal character and good complexity for a reasonable price. Enjoy this one in it's youth.

The 2006 EOS Winery Zinfandel Port is 79.5% varietal with the balance made up of Petite Sirah. All the fruit is from the EOS Brothers Ranch Estate Vineyard. This port was aged for 12 months in neutral oak  The suggested retail price for this dessert wine is $30.

From the first whiff to the last sip the word that best defines this port is intense. The nose is filled with dried fruit notes of prune and blackberry along with subtler but present cinnamon. From the very first sip chocolate covered blackberry notes fill the palate and provide a lush, rich mouthful of flavor. Fruitcake spice characteristics emerge on the mid-palate and work their way through to the finish which also includes earth, persistent mocha and a touch of chicory. This is an incredibly smooth wine that tastes far more expensive than it's $30 price tag would indicate. Chocolate desserts of any kind will be an excellent match for this wine as would dried fruits and nuts. Truthfully though, the 2006 EOS Winery Zinfandel Port is an excellent dessert all by itself.

EOS Winery is making some excellent wines at fair price points, this is a label worth looking out for.

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Signorello Vineyards - 2006 Zinfandel

Today begins The 12 Days of Zin Part II. As with the first part a few weeks back, I'll spend 12 days covering a vast array of Zinfandels from all over California. Some will be widely available releases from producers that are household names and others will small, limited productions from boutique wineries or medium sized producers making small lots of Zinfandel. The first Zin I'm looking at is from Signorello Vineyards in Napa Valley. They are producers of premium California wines with an aim to highlight what each vineyard best expresses. The 2006 Signorello Vineyards Zinfandel was produced from a single vineyard source. The Luvisi Vineyard is located on the Silverado Trail in Calistoga. The wine was aged in a combination of French and American oak (35% new). The suggested retail price for this wine is $38. Only 243 cases of this offering were produced.

Blueberry and cherry notes emerge in the nose along with light vanilla characteristics. The entire palate is rich and full of mouth filling fruit that hits ever taste bud with deep, dark, intense flavor underscored by light mocha notes. Chocolate covered cherry leads the way in an impressive, lengthy finish that is also filled with white pepper, nutmeg and emerging earth notes. This wine is impeccably balanced. Not a single note or characteristic is out of whack.

This wines combination of balance and intense palate makes it stand out as an impressive offering. It's drinking well now but should improve in the short term and provide pleasure for most of the next decade. A noteworthy and classic effort from Signorello Vineyards.

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Luigi Bosca - 2005 Reserva Malbec

No doubt about it, Malbec is Argentina's calling card when it comes to wine. Many terrific wines are coming from there, but Malbec is the grape they have mastered more than any other region. It's amazing how much excellent Malbec can generally be found for a bargain price. Sometimes they are made in a young, exuberant style, meant to be drunk early. At other times they are made in a fashion suitable for aging. Today I'm looking at a 2005 Malbec from Luigia Bosca. The 2005 Reserva Malbec is 100% varietal. The grapes were harvested from a single vineyard in Mendoza whose vines are 70 years old. The wine was aged for 12 months in French oak and 1 year in bottle before being released. The suggested retail price for this Malbec is $18.

This Malbec's deep, dark, intensely colored hue is immediately apparent upon pouring. The nose is filled with date, plum and vanilla notes that increase in intensity as it has a chance to breathe. From the first sip onwards, juicy dark berry fruit comes out in droves. The mid-palate is soft, lush and full leading to black pepper, mineral notes, a touch of earth and a hint of tartness on the finish.  This wine is soft and pleasing enough to enjoy on its own but structured enough to stand up to grilled flank steak or similar cuisine.

This malbec has lots of big, pleasing fruit flavors, but the structure, complexity and numerous layers win out making this an impressive multi-dimensional wine. Oak is apparent but well integrated and a positive influnce on this wine. While this Malbec is nice now, it'll improve with some more bottle age and drink well for at least a decade, perhaps a bit longer. With a suggested retail of $18 and it's ability to age, this is an excellent wine to tuck away a case of.

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Luigi Bosca - 2006 “El Paraíso” Vineyard Pinot Noir

The difficulty of making great Pinot Noir is legendary in wine circles. There are really only a handful of places that are making this grape in its classic style. Luigi Bosca from Argentina makes a Pinot Noir amongst their wide range of offerings. That's the wine I'm looking at today. Very few South American PInots have impressed me over the years but I'm always curious to see what's out there. The 2006 Luigi Bosca Pinot Noir is 100% varietal. The grapes for this wine were harvested from a single vineyard source in Mendoza. "El Paraiso" vineyard sits more than 780 Meters above sea level. This Pinot was aged for 8 months in French oak. The suggested retail price for this wine is $18.

Wild strawberry, bing cherry and subtler but present vanilla notes are the most dominant characteristics in the nose of this Argentine Pinot Noir. Looking at it in the glass it has a slightly darker hue than what is most often typical of Pinot Noir. Think dark cherry in color more than strawberry. From the very first sip sour cherry notes and subtle leather characteristic come out and carry through the mid-palate along with dark plum and emerging earth notes. The earth becomes more prominent on the finish, accompanied by light mushroom and mocha notes. The wine is well balanced with well integrated oak and persistent acidity.

What I like best about this Pinot Noir is how elegant, layered and refined it is for a South American Pinot Noir. It easily outclasses many of the other Pinot's I've had from this region. While it's a bit fuller in the middle than a typical Pinot from Burgundy or Oregon it still manages to lean towards delicate. For a suggested retail price of $18, this wine offers plenty of true varietal character.

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Finca La Linda - 2007 Torrontés

The first grape that comes to mind when most wine drinkers think of Argentina is Malbec. That's not surprising since Argentina makes most of the world's best Malbec. Torrontés, is a white grape and pretty soon it's likely people will be as aware of it as they are of Malbec today. In general I find Torrontés to be an excellent choice as a welcome wine when you have people over for a party or long meal. Additionally, they tend to pair with a wide array of lighter cuisine. The 2007 Finca La Linda Torrontés is 100% varietal. Vines for this offering are grown at 1,700 meters above sea level in sandy/stony soil. The suggested retail price for this wine is $10.99.

The nose of this wine is full of honey, lychee fruit and floral notes. From the very first sip there is an avalanche of peach notes. All the fruit in the nose and through the palate gives the impression of sweetness. In actuality this offering is well balanced and presents tremendous acidity. This wine will pair well white meats such as grilled chicken. It'll also be an excellent match for spicy Asian dishes as well as curry.

What I like best about Torrontés is general is how incredibly aromatic and expressive the nose tends to be. The Finca La Linda Torrontés from Luigi Bosca falls within that tendency. This is a nice little wine that will delight those who are already familiar with this grape and surprise those new to it. Most of the Torrontés available in the US marketplace at this point is under $15. In many cases, as with this example, for around $10, it's quite a deal.

Up Next: Pinot Noir from Argentina’s Luigi Bosca

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Pedroncelli - 2006 Mother Clone Zinfandel

It's fitting to me that the last post during the first round of The 12 Days of Zin is Mother Clone from Pedroncelli in Dry Creek. Sure the winery has an 80+ year history and some of the vines are over 100 years old. But it's personal for me too. Mother Clone is one of the Zins that made me a fan of the varietal to begin with.  I've been drinking it for well over a decade and always like checking in each year to see how the current vintage is drinking. The 2006 Pedroncelli Mother Clone Zinfandel is 88% varietal and 12% Petite Sirah. The wine was aged for 12 months in American oak. The suggested retail price for this wine is $15 and it can be generally be found for several dollar less than that.

The current vintage of the Mother Clone as with previous vintages is a bit tight out of the bottle. Right now this wine needs about an hour in the decanter to really shine. It's time well spent. When it opens up the nose reveals abundant berry along with subtler but present cedar notes. While the nose of this wine gives off an element of jam, the palate is gloriously dry and beautiful. From the mid-palate through the finish black pepper and light earth notes linger for a persistent finish along with a touch of dust. This wine will be a perfect accompaniment to a dish of pasta.

As with Pedroncelli wines in general the Mother Clone features terrific acidity and excellent balance. The Petite Sirah adds structure and substance to this wine. Drinking this wine makes me wish I was in Geyserville. My favorite thing about the Mother Clone is its unerring consistency from vintage to vintage.

Thus ends Part I of the 12 Days of Zin. Stay tuned as The 12 Days of Zin Part II begins at the end of the month!

Up Next: Argentina's Luigi Bosca

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5 Mile Bridge - 2006 Zinfandel

Paso Robles has long been one of my favorite spots in California, especially for Zinfandel. So it should come as no surprise that I'd include quite a few Paso Robles releases in The 12 Days of Zin. Today's look at a Paso Robles Zinfandel is from a relatively new producer. The 2006 release from 5 Mile Bridge is only their second vintage of Zinfandel. The 2006 5 Mile Bridge Zinfandel is a single vineyard effort sourced from the Margarita Vineyard. This vineyard stands at an elevation of 1,000 feet, allowing excellent sun exposure. 1% Cabernet Franc was blended in with the ZInfandel. This wine was aged in a combination of French and American oak (about 1/3 of it new) for 14 months. Just over 2,900 cases of this releases were produced. The suggested retail price for this wine is $20.

Bright red raspberry, cedar and vanilla fill the nose of this Zinfandel. 30 minutes in a decanter, or a glass, really allows this wine to open up. Blueberry and raspberry fill the wines plate along with white pepper notes. From the mid-palate through the finish, stewed fruit notes linger along with additional spice elements such as nutmeg and a hint of earth. I had this with a porcini mushroom pizza and found it to be excellent accompaniment.

The most impressive thing about this particular Zinfandel is its harmony and balance. Each element is well in check of the other providing an overall enjoyable drinking experience. That's particularly noteworthy for a wine that's only in its second vintage. Also of note is the alcohol at 14.2%. This is on the modest side not just for Zin in general but also for Paso Robles. I look forward to seeing what 5 Mile Bridge produces going forward.

Up Next: The 12 Days of Zin Continues!

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Sausal Winery - A Couple of 2005 Zins

The Alexander Valley in Sonoma is today's stop for The 12 Days of Zin. In addition to Zinfandel, when I think of Alexander Valley, tremendous Cabernet Sauvignon comes to mind. The history of Sausal Winery dates back to Leo and Rose Demostene family purchasing the Sausal Ranch in 1956. The winery itself was launched in 1973 by their four children. So their history in Sonoma goes back a ways. While Sausal Winery produces a number of other varietals, all from estate fruit, Zinfadel is firmly at the center of their family operation. Today I'll look at two of their Zins, both from the 2005 vintage. The Sausal Winery 2005 Family Vineyard Zinfandel is 100% varietal and all Estate fruit. The vines for this selection have an average age of over 50 years old. This wine spent 18 months in a 50/50 split of French and American oak. Just over 3,000 cases of this selection were produced and the suggested retail price is $19.

Raspberry pie notes, underscored by a touch of vanilla fill the nose of this wine. While giving this Zin a chance to breathe allows it to really open up, it's ready and jumping out of the glass from the word go. There is an intensity of fruit throughout the palate. It's solid and even keeled, never relinquishing its core fruit flavors. It persistently delivers solid, approachable, at times big, fruit flavor. Tea notes at the end of the mid-palate lead to a lingering finish dotted with lots of white pepper notes. I had this wine with meatloaf and it matched perfectly.

The 2005 Family Vineyard Zin is a classic example of what can be done with this varietal in the Alexander Valley. While this wine is fruity, full and exuberant it exhibits restraint, stopping short of going over the top. At 3 years old it's vibrant, fresh and just at the beginning of it's drinking window. This one will drink well for at least 5 years.

The second Zinfandel I'm peeking at from Sausal Winery is the 2005 Private Reserve. This one was made from estate fruit and vines averaging 90 years of age. This offering spent 19 months in exclusively French oak. It's also 100% varietal. 2,000 cases of it were produced and the suggested retail price is $23.

From the outset, the differences between the two Zinfandels are apparent. The Private reserve is deeper and darker in both color and fruit characteristics. This one also benefits more obviously and immediately from a solid hour in the decanter. Once it's opened up, dark plum and blackberry notes accompanied by cedar and subtle vanilla fill the nose. The palate of this wine is full of deeper, richer and more intense fruit than the Family Vineyards Zin. The added age on the vines is apparent in how much more layered and complex the fruit is throughout this wine. The dark fruit notes carry through the finish joined by mocha, spice and earth. Good acidity and a solid tannic structure keep this wine balanced. This one will be an excellent match for bigger meals. Hearty stews, leg of lamb and roasted game are all good choices.

As with the Family Vineyards, the Private Reserve is also an excellent example of Zinfandel from Alexander Valley. The wines share as many similarities as they do differences. The Private reserve is likely to improve in the short term and drink well for a minimum of 8 years. If you like well made Zinfandel in a classic style, you will want to keep your eye out for what Sausal Winery is doing.

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Ravenswood Winery - A Couple of Zinfandels

One of my goals during The 12 Days of Zin is to cover a wide array of wines. The diversity I've aimed for is not only stylistic though. Some of the Zinfandels are small productions from boutique producers, others are large scale releases available at almost every wine shop in the US. Today I'm looking at a couple of offerings from Ravenswood Winery. Joel Peterson, founder and winemaker of this winery is as synonymous with America's heritage grape as any producer. The range of Zins Ravenswood makes each year runs the gamut from small production, single vineyard offerings to wines that everyone can easily find. The selections I'm looking at today are amongst their most widely available and recognizable by the everyday consumer looking for something to drink with his burger or fajita that very night. First up is the Ravenswood 2006 Vintners Blend. This wine has a California appellation and the majority of the grapes were sourced in Sonoma, Lodi and Mendocino. All three are regions where Zinfandel has thrived over the years. This wine is widely available for right around $10.

The 2006 Vintners Blend opens with a nose of black raspberry and plum, underscored by light bramble and eucalyptus notes. Berry jam notes are prominent from the first sip onward. This is a medium bodied Zinfandel with a soft but full mouth-feel. Black tea notes dominate the mid-palate and carry through the finish which features light mocha and a host of spice characteristics. The finish is medium in length. This wine has been remarkably consistent over the years and the 2006 is no exception. It's particularly impressive for an offering made in such large quantities. Priced to be a good go to Zinfandel any night of the week.

The other Ravenswood I'm looking at is the 2005 Sonoma County Zinfandel. 13% Carignane, 6% Syrah and 5% Petite Sirah were blended in with the Zinfandel (76%). All the grapes were sourced from Sonoma County and aged in French oak, 30% of it new. 10,000 cases of this wine were produced. The suggested retail price for this one is $14.99, but it's generally available for a few dollars less.

The Sonoma County Zin opens with plum vanilla and a touch of earth in the nose. I found this selection the be a bit in need of air at first. Decanting for 45 minutes is recommended. Once it opens up this wine expresses itself with a lovely palate full of spice and fruit flavor. Most of that fruit is of the dark, brooding variety. These characteristics carry through the mid-palate and lead to a finish that features mocha and white pepper notes in abundance. This wine is well balanced and has good acidity. The other varietals blended in add structure and layers of complexity to this wine. While it's drinking well now it's likely to improve in the short term and drink well for 5 or more years. This is another solid everyday value.

Both of these wines from Ravenswood accomplish what they set out to. That is, provide good entry level Zinfandels at a price that most can approach on a regular basis. They offer good varietal character and remain consistent year in and year out.

Up Next: The 12 Days of Zin Continues!

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Lang Wines - 2006 Oakmont Vineyards Zinfandel

The next wine I'm looking at during The 12 Days of Zin is the first of several to be made from fruit sourced in Amador County. Zinfandel happens to be the grape that Amador is best known for. Lang Wines is a boutique producer that also makes Barbera & Syrah each year. Their entire production is right around 1,500 cases annually. The 2006 Lang Wines Zinfandel is made from fruit sourced at Oakmont Vineyards. These Zinfandel vines are 35 years old. 868 cases of this wine were produced. It sells through their website for $192 per case ($16 per bottle).

The nose of this wine features a cornucopia of berry fruit notes. Blackberry and dark cherry particularly stand out, underscored by subtle gingerbread spice notes. Copious fruit notes fill what is a solid, balanced, full and unyielding palate. From the very first sip luscious berry pie flavors fill this wines palate. Mocha and toasty oak notes which are apparent throughout come out more prominently on the finish. This wine has good tannic structure and solid acidity. This will pair well with just about any meat coming off of your grill as well as a dish of pasta. I also found it to be a real pleasure to drink on its own.

What I like best about this particular Zinfandel is how concurrently smooth and opulent it is from start to finish. There isn't a rough edge to be found anywhere. As I was drinking this wine I was thinking that it reminded of the title of a Howlin' Wolf song, "Built For Comfort." That's exactly how I view this wine, an absolute treat to drink. For the money this wine is an absolute steal. It's easy to see why the Lang Wines website emphasizes case sales. It's likely that if you're a Zin lover you're going to want to a steady supply of this offering.

I'll be looking at their Syrah and Barbera in the near future as well. If they're anywhere near as impressive as the Zinfandel, they'll be wines to look out for as well.

Up Next: The 12 Days of Zin Continues!

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Del Carlo Winery - 2005 Old Vine Zinfandel

The next stop for the 12 Days of Zin, takes me back to Dry Creek Valley. At three years old the Del Carlo Winery is a fairly new operation. However the two families involved in it (Del Carlo & Teldeschi) have deep roots in Sonoma County. Different branches of the family have been winemakers, growers, farmers and/or residents of the Dry Creek Valley dating as far back as 1929. And in fact some of the Zinfandel vines they still farm and get fruit from are over 100 years old. They're not joking when they say "Old Vine." The 2005 Del Carlo Winery Old Vine Zinfandel is 89 percent varietal with the balance being Petite Sirah. 20% of the wine spent 10 months in New American oak. It was then bottle aged for an additional year before release. 294 cases of this Zin were produced. This release sells for $32.

Plum and vanilla notes fill the nose of this Dry Creek Zinfandel. Taking the first sip, blackberry, earthy bramble and persistent but subtle vanilla emerged. While this wine is engaging from the get go, decanting helps and is recommended. White pepper floats through the entire palate along with present but much more subtle nutmeg notes. Mocha and cherry notes become prominent on the mid-palate and carry through the long finish with features continued spice characteristics and an underbelly of earth that emerges as the wine opens up. This wine is balanced by firm acidity and will be an excellent match for a wide array of foods.

After this wine had been open for a full 24 hours I went back and tasted it again. Beyond holding up, it had improved and become even more expressive. This Zinfandel from Del Carlo is well structured and should improve over the next couple years and drink well for another 3-4 after that.

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