ZAP 2012 Flights Forum

Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco
Tasted Friday, January 27, 2012 by Martin Redmond with 880 views

Introduction

Flight was an educational tasting to showcase different styles of Zinfandel. Zinfandel seem to be characterized in the press as a "monolithic" beverage with

Flight 1 - The "Finesse" Flight - Around 14% ABV (4 Notes)

  • 2008 Terra d'Oro Winery Zinfandel 86 Points

    USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County

    Light garnet color with fruity, spicy red fruit aromas. On the palate light-bodied, with good acidity, and raspberry, strawberry, and baking spice flavors. Medium finish. 13.5% ABV Suggested retail $11.99

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  • 2009 Nalle Zinfandel 87 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

    Light garnet red color with sweet red cherry, pomegranate, dust, and pepper aromas. On the palate, light-medium bodied with cherry pomegranate, and spice flavors, and well integrated fine tannins. Good balance with a medium finish. 87% Zinfandel/9% Petite Sirah/3% Carignan/1% Mourvedre/1% Alicante Bouschet and Golden Chasselas. 13.6% ABV Suggested retail = $36

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  • 2009 Frog's Leap Zinfandel 86 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Light-medium garnet red color with spicy savory red fruit aromas. On the palate light-medium bodied with raspberry, boysenberry, red currant, and spice flavors. Approaching medium finish. 77% Zinfandel/22% Petite Sirah/1% Carignan. 13.6% ABV Suggested Retail = $27.

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  • 2009 Tres Sabores Zinfandel Rutherford Estate 89 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

    Medium ruby color with mixed dark fruit, pepper, and spice aromas. On the palate medium-bodied refined, and deftly balanced with boysenberry, raspberry, faint white pepper, and bramble flavors. Medium-plus finish. 14.2% ABV Suggested Retail = $35

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Flight 2 - The "Moderation" Flight - Between 14-15% ABV (5 Notes)

These Zins are the predominant style and alcohol levels in the marketplace. This style sometimes referred to as the "claret" style

  • 2008 Ravenswood Zinfandel Teldeschi 88 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

    Medium ruby color with dark fruit, spice and cedarwood aromas. On the palate medium-bodied, with a nice vein of acidity balancing out the fruit and tannins with black cherries, cassis, and vanilla spice,flavors. Medium + finish 75% Zinfandel/20% Petite Sirah/3% Carignan/2%Alicante Bouschet. 14.5% ABV Suggested Retail =$35

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  • 2009 Dry Creek Vineyard Zinfandel Spencer's Hill Vineyard 87 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

    Medium ruby color with fruity cherry, cranberry, and white pepper aromas. On the palate medium-bodied with black cherry, black raspberry flavors supported by firm tannins. Short-Medium finish. 80% Zinfandel/9% Petite Sirah/8% Syrah/3% Grenache. 14.9% ABV. Suggested Retail = $38

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  • 2010 Artezin Zinfandel Mendocino County 87 Points

    USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County

    Deep ruby red color with dark red fruit, spice and pepper aromas. On the palate, medium-bodied with supple but firm tannins and raspberry, dark cherry, and spice flavors. Medium+ finish. 89% Zinfandel/10% Petite Sirah/1% Carignan. 14.5% ABV. Suggested Retail = $18

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  • 2009 Storybook Mountain Vineyards Zinfandel Estate Reserve 86 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Dark ruby red color with tight red fruit, baking spice and a hint of chocolate aromas. On the palate medium-bodied with tart raspberry, and pomegranate flavors. This on is still young. Short-medium finish. 14.7% ABV. Suggested Retail = $60

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  • 2007 Dashe Cellars Zinfandel Old Vines Louvau Vineyard 91 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

    Deep dark garnet black color with aromatic mixed berries, and sweet oak aromas. On the palate, medium bodied, intense, smooth and structured with well-integrated fine tannins and blackberry, red currant, black raspberry, and clove. Medium-long finish 98% Zinfandel/2% Petite Sirah. 14.8% ABV Suggested Retail = $32

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Flight 3 - The "Big" Flight - Above 15% ABV (6 Notes)

These are the "Big Boys" of Zinfandel big, bold, ripe and intense which are often scored 90+ points

  • 2009 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Rockpile 88 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Rockpile

    Dark garnet color with dark red fruit, sweet oak, earth, and dust aromas. On the palate medium-full bodied, intense with black cherry, pepper, and a touch of vanilla spice. Medium finish. 15% ABV. Suggested Retail = $38

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  • 2009 Orin Swift Saldo 91 Points

    USA, California

    Dark garnet color with with strawberry black cherry and a touch of funk aromas. On the palate full-bodied, voluptuous supple tannins and dark cherry, blackberry, chocolate flavors. Long finish. 80% Zinfandel/9% Petite Sirah/8% Syrah/3% Grenache. 15.5% ABV. Suggested Retail = $28

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  • 2009 Robert Biale Zinfandel Aldo's Vineyard 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District

    Dark black-red color with aromatic dark red fruit, dust and baking spice aromas. On the palate full-bodied, with velvety mouthfeel, and black cherry, boysenberry, and baking spice flavors. Medium-long finish. 98% Zinfandel/2% Petite Sirah. 16.1% ABV. Suggested Retail = $75

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  • 2009 Turley Zinfandel Mead Ranch 88 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Atlas Peak

    Dark garnet color with tight aromas of fresh dark red fruit. On the palate intense, brambly, and hedonistically creamy with blackberry, plum flavors. Medium-long finish. 16.1% ABV. Suggested Retail = $35

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  • 2010 Michael-David Vineyards Zinfandel Earthquake 89 Points

    USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi

    Deep carmine color with dark red fruit, cedarbox, and chocolate aromas. On the palate medium-full bodied with dark cherry, blackberry, pepper and vanilla flavors. Medium-long finish. Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. 16% ABV. Suggested Retail = $26

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  • 2008 Rosenblum Cellars Zinfandel Reserve Monte Rosso Vineyard 90 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

    Dark nearly opaque black red color with dark fruit, clove, and sweet oak aromas. On the palate medium-full bodied with vivid fruit flavors of boysenberries, vanilla and spice with a long, smooth finish. 16.4% ABV. Suggested Retail = $45

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Closing

This was an informative and fun tasting.

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