I have never tasted Zinfandel, but because I like big, fruity wines, I think I will try one soon. But we have not many here in our alcohol shop, so is any of them good? Is any with aromas and tastes that will show me what the grape means to be like?
Here is what we have available:
Gallo Family Vineyards Zinfandel 2008
Dancing Bull Zinfandel Rancho Zabaco 2007
Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin 2007 (This saw much good words in Finnish newspaper - does not mean much, lol!)
Stonehedge Zinfandel 2005 (why so old vintage for cheap wine? only 10€, does even cheap Zin age long?)
Ironstone Old Vine Zinfandel 2007
Beringer Clear Lake Zinfandel 2005
Paul Dolan Zinfandel 2006
Ironstone Reserve Old Vine Zinfandel 2005
Ravenswood Napa Valley Zinfandel 2006 (20€ - might be ok from some note on Cellar Tracker I saw?)
Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel 2003 (the price for this hurts, it is 35€, so maybe I should not try this as first Zin?)
Those are all what I consider “large production” brands here in the US. While the Seghesio is likely the best, I agree that you might not want to start at that price point. Of the others, I’d try the Gnarly Head. Based on the way you describe your wine preferences, I think you’ll find that you enjoy zinfandel. Will be interested to hear. Cheers!
I’m a big fan of any Old Vine zin, so I’d go for those - grab 2 or 3 (one of each of several) and have a good time figuring out your style.
I go to Sweden about once a year and I’m appalled at the US selection at the Systembolagets. It’s always stuff like what Juhani’s mentioned and nearly always cheap, low-end grocery store-esque Zin or Cabernet. I brought a couple bottles of (06?) Ridge East Bench with me last year and it was a HUGE hit.
Thank you of quick replies!
Chad, thanks, I try Gnarly Head - it is nice it is cheap, too, only 10€.
Todd, thanks, you are right, it is good to try many to see good style.
Brandon, I think Americans drink most good wine alone and don’t share with rest of world! ![[basic-smile.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/8/83717c74df9b0ce202453063bc4f11baf0ee6b8a.gif "smile")
Matt, sorry, your post I do not understand!
Juhani - had the 2007 Ironstone Reserve Old Vine Zin last week and thought it was a fine representation of the varietal if a bit spicy/medicinal for me personally.
2003 was a very fine Zin vintage here in CA.
I think the Seghesio and the Iron Stone would be my favorites. You may want to ask if they have any Primitivo from Italy. It might cost you less and it is virtually the same grape.
Whatever you do, do NOT buy the Dancing Bull. ![[barf.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/8/8943c0ebb2703c20afa757f7ca84a099bb9de70d.gif "barf")
Though it has a few years on it, the Seghesio would be my choice.
Best,
Andrew
There are no easy choices for you.
Like several other people, I like the Seghesio Old Vines, but I would be very worried about how a 2003 took so long to get to Finland. At 35 euros, it is almost 3 times it’s price in the US, so there is little value there, even it is not cooked.
Ravenswood is a brand that was sold to a corporate group several years ago. It might be OK, and if it weren’t so expensive, it would not hurt to try it.
Dancing Bull and Gallo are both brands from the largest wine corporation in the world. The Gallos own very good sites in Sonoma County, but when it gets in the bottle, the wine is very bland.
Gnarly Head is located in Manteca in the Central Valley. I have tried it at ZAP, a mass tasting event (not the best place to judge) and was underwhelmed. Manteca is to California wine like Algeria is to French wine.
I don’t know anything about Stonehenge.
Ironstone is a winery located in the Southern Sierra. I have only been there once, when it first opened, 10 or 15 years ago. When I was there they were sourcing their fruit form the Central Valley. At the time I did not think it was commercially acceptable. However, Glenn Levine said it was OK, and he has pretty good taste, so it might be worth trying if it’s less than 8 euros, or so.
Clear Lake is an evolving region in California, with some pretty good grapes in spots. I think Ed Sbragio (he now has his own winery, if you ever see his Cabs, grab them) was still the winemaker at Beringer in 2005. Again it depends on the price. Under 10 euros it is probably worth a try.
Paul Dolan is probably the choice who is most interesting. He was CEO or some similar title of Fetzer Wine Co. Fetzer was a family wine company from Mendocino County (the hippy/redneck coalition was the political power for a time.) The patriarch sold the company to a corporation with a five year or ten year no compete clause. Anyway, a couple of years ago, the clause expired, and lots of family members, and also Paul Dolan, got back into the business. The interesting thing is several of them are into organic or biodynamic farming. Paul Dolan is the biodynamic guy. I haven’t had his wines, but at least they have an interesting story.
The short take: only the Seghesio can really show you what good Zinfandel is all about, and that is only if it is not spoiled.
IMHO, the best Zins are from Dry Creek Valley, for full robust, fruity style. Russian River Valley Zins are more subtle. Amador County and Paso Robles Zins have slight pruney tastes, but are also full and robust. (Paso Robles Zins are actually quite diverse, although many fall into the slightly pruney.)
Sorry to be so long zinned, but Zin is my passion. If Dry Creek ever shows up, grab it. There aren’t many bad ones.
Dave - Ironstone’s regular and reserve Zins are both sourced from Lodi fruit, reserve from The Mokelumne River sub-appellation of the Lodi AVA. Their regular Zin has some PS blended in there too. They also make a Deaver Vineyard wine from The Shenandoah Valley and a Rous Vineyard Zin also from Lodi.
Is this Nalle, nah it isn’t; but it is definitely drinkable Zin and not over-extracted jam.
Wow! Excellant replies, thank you! I now ordered Ironstone (Dave, sorry, I ignore your comments on price because we have goverment monopoli for alcohol so everything is much too expensive!). But also I want to try many stiles, so I have also the Ravenswood. The Ravenswood and Beringer are only ones I can buy from shelf, the others I have to order seperatly, so they become a little difficult. When I open, I will write notes! Thank you again for great info!
i tried the 07 Rous and 07 Deaver last night and much preferred The Deaver. Rous may have had some secondary fermentation going on in the bottle though?
