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EWG does Zinfandel and Sliders
Conrad Green's Abode
Tasted May 30, 2010 by WetRock with 976 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)
White - Sparkling
1998 Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brut La Grande Dame
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.
White - Sparkling
1996 Ruinart Champagne Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs
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.
Red
1978 Shenandoah Vineyards Zinfandel
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.
Flight 2 (5 notes)
Red
1991 Ridge Lytton Springs
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.
Red
1994 Ridge Geyserville
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.
Red
1997 Ravenswood Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard
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.
Red
2007 Ridge Geyserville
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.
Red
2002 Ridge Zinfandel Dusi Ranch
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.
Flight 3 (6 notes)
Red
2003 Carlisle Zinfandel Rossi Ranch
Soft nose showing vanilla and dark fruit. Thick and dull, short and hot.
Red
2003 Carlisle Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard
Ripe, clean Zinberry nose. Juicy palate showing dark berries. Very clean with great acidity. This was terrific and reminiscent of the '97 Ravenswood with its fresh expression. Big Zin done right.
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Comments (1)
Red
2006 Carlisle Zinfandel Montafi Ranch
Nose shows candy like fresh berry fruits. Big, thick and rich with lots of juicy ripe dark fruit. Some mocha and chocolate with heat on the back end.
Red
2006 Carlisle Zinfandel Carlo's Ranch
flawed
Ripe nose showing a bit of VA.....and TCA. Big fruited but there is TCA on the palate as well. Corked.
Red
2007 Carlisle Zinfandel Papera Ranch
Big bright berries on the nose with some candy like qualities and a touch of heat. Edgy with a lean feel and a touch of heat. This seemed more structured than other Carlisle Zins. I think this has a better future ahead of it.
Red
2007 Carlisle Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard
Crisp nose with vanilla and red berries. Juicy and clean but clearly tight. Like the other 07 this seemed to show some good acidic structure. Give it a couple years.
Flight 4 (4 notes)
Red
2004 Martinelli Zinfandel Jackass Vineyard
The nose is pure and pretty showing a cherry/berry combo. Dark and rich but not thick. Some sweetness and heat. A huge Cali Zin to be sure. This was probably best closer to release.
Red
2005 Linne Calodo Cherry Red
Sharp nose of apples and berries. Palate is light feeling and clean with ripe juicy fruits. Not as big and over done as I expected. Solid.
Red
2006 Linne Calodo Cherry Red
Aromas of wood and a bit of pepper followed by heat. Juicy and thin with a late grip. Perhaps needed some decanting.
Red - Sweet/Dessert
2007 Vineyard 29 Zinfandel Late Harvest Aida Estate
Nose of sweet syrup. The palate is sweet but not sugary. Overall a bit bland.