EWG does Zinfandel and Sliders

Conrad Green's Abode
Tasted Sunday, May 30, 2010 by WetRock with 974 views

Introduction

The East Side Wine Group's latest edition was Zinfandel paired with some outstanding gourmet home made sliders. Conrad hosted us yet again and was assisted but Gregg Greenbaum cooking up three rounds outstanding burgers. We had the best tuna burger sandwich I have had, smoked Mozzarella and arugula beef slider and a St Augur. bacon and caramelized onion beef slider. This was all enjoyed with outstanding company on Conrad's back patio in Eagle Rock on a beautiful Memorial Day weekend. The weather couldn't have been better. Another great time.

The wines were solid but not impressive overall. Three stood out to me though in looking back nothing rocked my world. It would be a three way tie between the '91 Ridge Lytton Springs, '97 Ravenswood and '03 Carlisle Carlisle for WTONs. The '78 I brought was a nice surprise.

Flight 1 (3 Notes)

  • 1998 Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brut La Grande Dame

    France, Champagne

    Nose shows fresh white bread and an oxidative note. The palate seems more filled out and expressive than previous tastes of this. Getting better and entering a drinking window I would say.

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  • 1996 Ruinart Champagne Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs

    France, Champagne

    Mostly sulfur aromas on the nose. Palate is pretty tight showing straw and chalky/minerally qualities. The length seemed to pick up as it sat in the glass but it still remained wrapped up to me. Leave to sleep.

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  • 1978 Shenandoah Vineyards Zinfandel

    USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County

    The color was still vibrant only showing bricking at the edges. Bright nose full of red berries. Still very alive with some grip left. Was a bit short with a touch of heat but an otherwise clean palate. This drank pretty well right out of the bottle for about 20 minutes or so and then just dried up. A nice surprise.

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Flight 2 (5 Notes)

  • 1991 Ridge Lytton Springs

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

    The nose smelled like a baked red berry dessert with a kiss of spice. The still seems big and rich though not fleshy and extracted. Displayed a nice balance of fruit, acid and tannin. Very nice and one of my favorites on the night.

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  • 1994 Ridge Geyserville

    USA, California, Sonoma County

    Subtle complex nose with a touch of oxidation. Clean feeling yet somewhat dirty in expression. Dark and rich with plenty of grip. Some heat and it seemed a bit advanced to me. This displayed the Old World qualities that these old Geezers often can but I think this bottle was a bit passed its prime to me. Good but probably not its best showing.

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  • 1997 Ravenswood Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

    Jammy stony Zinberry nose that is remarkably fresh and young. Big and brightly fruited, very expressive with a great acidic, almost minerally finish. I was very surprised at how young and fresh this seemed and the way the acids balanced out the fruit. Terrific and one of my favorites on the night but not for the kind that insist on fruit taking a secondary seat in aged wines.

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  • 2007 Ridge Geyserville

    USA, California, Sonoma County

    Decanted about 6 hours prior to consumption. The nose shows soft big berries and notes of nectarine, wet paint and oak. Rich, dense and tannic with a long finish. The fruit shows a sugar crystal berry quality but ultimately seemed on the less than expressive side. The last glass taken home was the same the next night. Potential is here but in need of sleep. Come back in five years or more.

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  • 2002 Ridge Zinfandel Dusi Ranch

    USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

    Lots of ripeness on the nose with a touch of VA. Jammy, bright, thick and juicy. This seems to stick to the palate. Well made for a Paso Zin but still too ripe and forward for me. This doesn't need anymore age but isn't on the down slope yet.

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Flight 3 (6 Notes)

Flight 4 (4 Notes)

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