41st Annual Zinfandel Retrospective - the 2014s

R&Ds
Tasted Sunday, May 26, 2019 by AllRed with 208 views

Introduction

The Sunday of the Memorial Day weekend means the annual zinfandel retrospective at R&D's. This year marks the 41st year of this tasting, and as always, Domino and I were happy to be included. Though it has now been a five-year retrospective for quite a few years, there are always a couple of ten-year olds to serve as a transition to the blind flight of five-year olds.

Flight 1 - Warm ups (3 Notes)

Nonblind in the three season room with light hors d'oeuvres.

Flight 2 - Warm up zins (3 Notes)

The nonblind flight of ten-year olds. I think the group consensus was Biale, Montelena and Ridge in terms of preference.

Flight 3 - Main flight (8 Notes)

Tasted blind. We always know the year and, obviously, that we're tasting zins, but we never know what wines make the cut each year. Shown in the order tasted.

As a group, the '14s were pretty good. Many of them displayed a Chateauneuf-like garrigue quality which I wouldn't have expected but didn't dislike. Some cab-like chocolate notes on a few as well to go along with the brambly fruit and spice. All things considered, a decent group of wines.

  • 2014 Ridge Zinfandel Pagani Ranch 89 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

    Double blind. Aromas of raspberry, pepper, brambleberry and a hint of blue fruit. Lush brambly red fruit on the palate. Adds a chocolate note as it sits, with briary spice and red berry fruit. Finishes with good length.

    My #3, Domino's #8
    Grp #8, 64 pts

    Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2014 Dry Creek Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel 90 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

    Double blind. Notes of red berry, licorice and candied red fruit. Has an herbal/garrigue quality on the palate. The alcohol starts to poke out just a bit, but there's nice brambly fruit and it's not hot, just noticeable. Cherry, raspberry and black briary fruit with an herbal element.

    My #2, Domino's #7
    Group #6, 58 pts

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2014 Carlisle Zinfandel Montafi Ranch 89 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    Double blind. Red fruit and pepper notes to start, with garrigue and red fruit on the palate. Rich remarked that it's almost as if we have a Chateauneuf tasting going on. The bouquet opens a bit, with loads of briary herbal notes to go with mixed red and dark fruit. Has a touch of an olive/brine element too. Red brambly fruit and pepper on the palate. Nice.

    My #4, Domino's #6
    Group #3, 41 pts

    Post a Comment / 3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2014 Bedrock Wine Co. Old Vine Zinfandel 88 Points

    USA, California

    Double blind. A touch muddled and reticent at first. Red fruit- raspberry- and spice on the palate. Red fruit and plum notes but still rather subtle; red fruit and brambly qualities on the palate. Medium finish.

    My #7, Domino's #3
    Group #5, 51 pts

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2014 Robert Biale Zinfandel Black Chicken 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District

    Double blind. Notes of plum, clay and pepper. Lush brambly fruit on the palate, with spice and dark berry fruit as well. Opens in the glass with more plum and pepper, but also briary red and black fruits, raspberry and chocolate. Boysenberry, baked raspberry, brambly spice and pepper. Lush. Lingering finish.

    My #1, Domino's #5
    Group #1, 36 pts

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2014 Fontanella Family Wines Zinfandel 88 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Double blind. Notes of brambly red and dark fruit, raspberry and pepper. Balanced. Red fruit and pepper with chocolate and clay tones as well. Perhaps a touch of VA here. Good.

    My #6, Domino's #1
    Group #2, 37 pts

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2014 Ridge Lytton Springs 87 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

    Double blind. Blue fruit and violet notes with a funky brettanomyces overtone. Black briary fruit on the palate with a peppery finish. Doesn't change during the course of the tasting. I typically don't mind a touch of brett in my wine, but I don't want it in my zinfandel.

    My #8, Domino's #4
    Group #7, 61 pts

    Post a Comment / 3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 2014 Ridge Geyserville 88 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley

    Double blind. Notes of plum and raspberry, a bit high-toned and a touch hot. Plummy red and dark fruit and pepper on the palate.

    My #5, Domino's #2
    Group #4, 48 pts

    Post a Comment / 4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

Flight 4 - Dinner wines (5 Notes)

Nonblind with D's barbeque brisket, slaw and dessert.

Closing

Thanks as always to R&D for hosting another great evening.

×
×