Zin and Burgers

Slater's hooked us up with some tasty morsels and we grabbed a bunch of Zin for the ride. A lot of hedonism and we even got them to sing to Sidney for his upcoming birthday. No strict favs for me but five did rise above the pack for me. The 92 Lytton Springs was as excellent as I have come to expect from old bottles of this winery. Both Ridges were nicely made but about potential now. The Brown and Frank Family were nice surprises.

• 1998 Behrens & Hitchcock Zinfandel Dry Creek Cuvée

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

  Neo-Cork. Showing some oxidation and a funky, chemical like smell. Lean feeling with not much going on. I don't think that plastic cork did this any favors.

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• 1992 Ridge Zinfandel Lytton Estate

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

  Bright Zin fruit on the nose with light pepper notes. Still very substantial dark berry fruits in front of prominent acids. Shows some age with more air but drank very nicely overall. Terrific.

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• 2008 Ridge Lytton Springs

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

  Reserved nose that has some dusty, rustic notes. Bright, fresh fruit that is also somewhat fat. Nice structure and depth. Saved a glass over night where it showed somewhat round fruit in the midpalate. A good wine but probably not one of the best of the recent Ridge Lyttons.

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• 2007 Bibayoff Zinfandel

  Mexico, Baja California, Valle de Guadalupe

  Funky nose with a touch of heat. Dark Zinberry character. Juicy showing medium acidity and lots of tannin for Zinfandel. Solid.

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• 2009 Rombauer Vineyards Zinfandel Napa Valley

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Reserved nose showing and heat. Very fruity and soft. A little bit sweet. To be expected.

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• 2007 Tobin James Zinfandel Ballistic

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  Hot and ripe. Very fruity though very dry on the finish. Very ripe, maybe with slight VA. Hot.

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• 2009 Brown Estate Zinfandel

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Reserved nose with dark fruit. Crunchy acids behind dark fruits. Medium tannin and the acids seem less than full. This drank a bit tight but I liked to over all build. Nice.

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• 2008 Frank Family Vineyards Zinfandel

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Big fruit with plenty of heat. This actually had pretty nice structure with light tannin and plenty of acid. Fresh with a touch of heat. Pretty good other than the copious heat on the nose.

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• 1999 Pesenti Zinfandel Pesenti Vineyard

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  Shows it's age on the nose with oxidation among baked fruits. Drinking something like an older S Rhone. Fruit seems faded. Juicy but weak concentration and light tannin.

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• 2002 Turley Zinfandel Mead Ranch

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Atlas Peak

  Big tart fruited nose with slight heat. Faded and not really showing much.

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• 2006 Ridge Geyserville

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  Balanced fruit to prominent structure. Tight in expression right now. I like the build but leave it be a few more years or decant.

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• 2007 Bella Vetta Zinfandel Jack's Cabin

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Rockpile

  Soft nose with VA. Sharp but with soft edges. Odd mouthfeel.

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• 2005 D-Cubed Zinfandel St. Helena

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

  Earthy on the nose. Rich, tart berries. Soft fruited with a touch of heat.

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• 1998 Outpost Zinfandel Howell Mountain

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain

  Complex nose. Very tart and not showing much fruit on the palate. Possibly not stored all that well or these just need to be drank up.

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