kinmonth@null.DEC (05/16/84)
Regarding wine prices in the Washington D.C. area: I haven't bought any wine
in D.C. itself, but I have gotten wine from nearby A.B.C. (Alcoholic Beverage
Control) stores in Virginia, and the prices seem reasonable there.
I do most of my buying in the Boston area, and several of the "department
store" shops seem to have good prices. Examples: Monterey Classic California
Red $4.39, Story Zinfandel $4.49, Korbel Brut $6.99.
One of my favorite reds is Zinfandel. I've been trying one after another,
trying to decide which I like the best. So far I prefer the Story 1979, and
it is fairly inexpensive too. Sutter Home seems good also. Does anyone else
have comments on Zinfandels, their favorite brands, etc.?
Bruce Kinmonth ...decvax!decwrl!rhea!null!kinmonthc-hunt@tesla.UUCP (Charles Hunt) (05/17/84)
I also love Zinfandel... and it is usually very reasonable in price. There seem to be three popular styles: 1)BIG and HEAVY zin (often from Amador County, CA), 2)medium body, and 3)white zinfandel. Here are some of my experiences: 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.
rcl@tellab1.UUCP (Ron Lewen) (05/18/84)
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! Ron Lewen (ihpn4!tellab1!rcl)
barto@celerity.UUCP (David Barto) (05/19/84)
[for the net]
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)
--
barto
(david barto)
uucp : {decvax!ucbvax || ihnp4 || philabs}!sdcsvax!celerity!barto
uucp : akgua!celerity!barto
arpa : sdcsvax!celerity!barto@nosc
Tele : (619) 566 0416jpj@mss.UUCP (05/19/84)
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!
--
Cheers...
Jim Jenal (aka sdcrdcf!trwrb!scgvaxd!mss!jpj)
Mayfield Senior School ( " vortex!wlbr!scgvaxd!mss!jpj)berry@zinfandel.UUCP (05/20/84)
#R:decwrl:-16600:zinfandel:12800008:000:420 zinfandel!berry May 18 13:30:00 1984 Well, I like zinfandel. (could you guess?) There is such a plethora of good stuff around here (I can be in the Mondavi tasting room in 45 minutes...) that it's hard to pick a fovorite. The Sutter Home white zin is usually very good. Last year's release (1982) was really great! This year's (1983) is disappointing, but only in comparison. Berry Kercheval Zehntel Inc. (ihnp4!zehntel!ZINFANDEL!berry) (415)932-6900