San Francisco, Fort Mason
Tasted Saturday, January 29, 2011 - Monday, January 31, 2011 by bambam with 1,686 views
OK, I finally gave in and I am going to post tasting notes from a tasting event. This is about my 4th ZAP event in the last 7 years. This event gets bigger and crazier every year. If I was not able to get trade tickets I would not go. The regular crowd is just too large for me. Spending 5 minutes to elbow your way through six rows of people to taste one wine is not what I call a fun outing. That being said, this is a great event to taste just about every Zin on the market in one place. Since one of my best friends is a big Zin fan this event is a must if we can find the time. Spitting is a must if you want to taste a lot. I don't enjoy it but in a tasting this large it is a must if you plan on walking out of the place. Please bring a designated driver or take a taxi to this event!
My first impression about this year is that the overall quality has improved and the big over the top hot zins are a thing of the past. I'm not sure if this is a stylistic shift or just a vintage characteristic. Either way, this is a positive thing. I have noticed a trend towards sweeter blends. I detected what I believe is residual sugar in many wines. I hope this does not get worse.
One interesting thing I find about Zinfandel is that price has almost no bearing on quality compared to almost any other red wine. Tasting is essential with this varietal to find the style you prefer. Do not be swayed by price. It means almost nothing with Zin.
My notes are brief so please take them with a grain of salt. They are more to give people an idea of what I liked more than give an "authentic" score. I have struggled with this concept but I think getting my impressions out there is more valuable to people than worrying if every score is done perfect. Enjoy.
Wineries A-G
Wineries H-Z. This is where most of the wineries are located and a great place to start if you ever attend this event.
2008 B.R. Cohn Zinfandel 88 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
(1/29/2011)
Balanced sweet fruit. I liked this better than the '08 Olive Hill Estate.
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2008 B.R. Cohn Zinfandel Olive Hill Estate Vineyards 86 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
(1/29/2011)
Dry and more tannic than the regular bottling.
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2008 Charter Oak Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard 89 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
(1/29/2011)
Balanced fruit. A little more brambly than the others at ZAP but nice. This and the mind artist were my favorites at this table today.
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2008 Charter Oak Zinfandel The Zinfandel Mind 89 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
(1/29/2011)
I liked this. A little on the sweet jammy side but not over the top.
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2008 Charter Oak Zinfandel Napa Valley 88 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
(1/29/2011)
Of the 3 Charter Oak wines tasted today this one lacked a little something. Still nice.
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2007 D-Cubed Zinfandel Napa Valley 90 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
(1/29/2011)
This was a bigger style zin today but not over the top or hot. I liked it.
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2007 D-Cubed Zinfandel Korte Ranch 90 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena
(1/29/2011)
Along with the Napa Valley this was a big enjoyable wine.
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2007 D-Cubed Zinfandel Howell Mountain 86 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain
(1/29/2011)
This was a disapointment compared to the other two '07 in the line up today. It seems like it is hard to fully ripen Zin on Howell Mountain. I often find green notes in zins from this AVA. This is one of those wines.
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2009 Grey Wolf Cellars Big Bad Wolf 85 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
(1/29/2011)
Too sweet, pass.
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2008 Gregory Graham Zinfandel Crimson Hill Vineyard 87 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Red Hills Lake County
(1/29/2011)
Solid but not a stand out.
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2008 Folie à Deux Zinfandel 88 Points
USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County
(1/31/2011)
Nice solid balanced zin. On the lighter side but solid.
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