kinmonth@null.DEC (08/02/84)
A while ago, I asked for comments on Zinfandels. Here is a summary
of the replies:
1) BIG and HEAVY:
-1979 Montevina "Special Selection": complex, tannic, needs flavorful
and rich food to stand up to it; a bargain at $6; needs lots of aging
-1980 Ridge AMADOR: not as heavy as above, but perfectly balanced and
flavorful. The best BIG wine I've ever tried. A steal at $6.
-1980 Montevina estate bottled: not as big as the 79 above; very hot (15%
alcohol); at $5, it's ok, but I won't buy it again.
-1980 Beringer Napa Valley: Full of flavors, but coy with a funny sweetness;
the aftertaste made you want to eat quick to get the taste out. $6.50
-1980 Burgess Napa Valley: Much too young to drink; giant tannin, flavor that
kicks you over: you'd have to drink it with straight blue cheese or something
that powerful... No regular meal could stand up to it. $6.50
2)Medium bodied Zin
-1980 Shenandoah Vineyards: great aroma and flavor; classic Amador wine; short
on the finish; $5, a great price. Perfect with a cheesey lasagna.
-1977 Sebastiani "Proprietor's Reserve": I can't imagine liking a Zin more than
this one. At $5.50, a steal. Balanced, fruity, aroma+, long finish. Try it
-Almaden zin, Sebastiani Country zin, Inglenook Navelle zin... cheap zin is the
worst thing in a bottle: buy Monterey Vineyards Classic Red or Christian Bros.
Burgundy. They're cheaper and better hearty reds.
3)White Zin
-1982 Sutter Home Amador White Zin. I tried a glass once and seem to recall
that it was nice. This stuff is really the going thing now: I have friends
who like it better than any other white, except with seafood. For that, get a
good chardonnay or sauvignon blanc. The other white zins are popular, too.
I wholeheartedly agree that 1977 Sebastiani Proprietors Reserve
Zinfandel is great! Another inexpensive Zin that compares to the
Sebastiani is a 1977 or 1978 Zin from John Phelps vinyards. This
Zin is a little more fruity than the Sebastiani, but I tend to
prefer this.
Speaking of Sebastiani Prop. Res. wines, anybodu ever try their
1978 Cabernet Sauvignon? It, too, is excellent for the money!
I happen to like a HARD TO FIND zinfandel...
Cakebread Cellers 1978.
If you like black peppers this one has the best of
heavy zinfandel, and pepper aroma. I find it best
with a classic recipe "Individual Beef wellingtons
with Green Peppercorn Sauce". ( I will mail that
to anyone who wants it.. Or research net.cooks, I
posted it about 4 weeks ago)
I also like a zinfandel from Soda Rock winery, if
you are in the Napa/Sonoma Valley, go past and see
if they have some for sale. You have to be in the
winery to purchase, they are far too small for shipping
to major distributors (get their Chardonay, Best I ever
tasted)
Yes!!! Zin is one of my three favorite wines and I would be happy to
share the following recommends:
Burgess 1980 Napa Valley Zinfandel - All one could want in a
reasonably priced zin. Available in the L.A. area for
$6-8 - depending on where you look. First tasted this
wine on a visit to the winery - bought two bottles there
and a case later (which is, alas, down to my last two
bottles.)
De Loach Vineyards 1980 Estate Bottled Sonoma County Zinfandel -
De Loach is located in the Russian River Valley. I tasted
this one at a local wine tasting and it was my Zin pick from
amongst 25 or so choices. Can't give a price - I bought my
only two bottles in a mixed case. Probably $8-10.
Cuvaison 1976 Napa Valley Zinfandel - This wine is a MONSTER! I
first tasted this one mythical evening at a small wine shop
in S. Pasadena (The Wine Press, if you're local). It was a
blind tasting. Well, everybody new it was Zin right off, the
amazing thing was how the wine just kept growing in your glass.
After 45 minutes or so, the wine was simply blowing people
away. A little pricey $12.50.
BTW - most of Cuvaison's wines are on the BIG side - if you like a wine
that stands on its own four feet - try theirs - wonderful!
Here is a summary of votes for the below listed Zins. The key follows:
--- No votes
* Barely drinkable
** Alright, what you'd expect for low price
*** Very good
**** Outstanding value
North Coast Cellers no date $3.99 (1.5L) **
Taylor Calif. Cellers no date $2.99 **
Willow Creek 1979 $3.49 ---
Cresta Blanca 1979 $3.99 **1/2
CK Mondavi no date $3.99 ---
Sebastiani 1980 $3.99 ****
Wente Bros 1980 $4.15 **
Charles Krug 1979 $4.39 **1/2
Story 1979 $4.49 ****
Fetzer 1982 $4.89 ***
Burgess 1980 $4.99 ****
San Martin 1980 $5.15 ---
Simi 1981 $5.29 ***
Mirassou 1980 $5.49 ****
Sutter Home 1981 $5.69 ***
Mountainside 1979 $5.79 ***
Sebastiani Proprietor's Reserve 1977 $5.79 ****
R Mondavi 1980 $5.99 ****
Davis Bynum 1979 $6.99 ---
White Zinfandels:
M. Marion no date $4.39 ---
Sutter Home 1983 $4.59 ---
If you'd like to add your votes just send 'em in...
Bruce Kinmonth ...decvax!decwrl!rhea!null!kinmonth