36th Annual Zinfandel Retrospective - the 2009s

Rich & Dana's
Tasted Sunday, May 25, 2014 by AllRed with 577 views

Introduction

The day for the annual Zinfandel retrospective had arrived, and once again Domino and I were invited to fill in a couple of the empty seats. The annual event featured a tasting of eight ten year old Zinfandels, blind, which the tasters ranked first through eighth. A couple of years ago the format changed slightly, and now features a five year retrospective, although our hosts had a little fun and switched things up this year as well. This year we tasted not eight, but twelve Zinfandels in two flights of six. Votes for the flights were tallied separately and the wines' identity revealed after each flight. We had twelve tasters for this year's event.

Flight 1 - I. Warm ups (4 Notes)

These were served nonblind with light hors d'oeuvres prior to the blind Zin tasting. Entertainment was provided by a very tame wild turkey hen who had been visiting R&D's bird feeders, located just a few feet from the three seasons room in which we enjoyed the warm ups.

Flight 2 - II. Zins (6 Notes)

The tasters knew these were 2009 Zinfandels, nothing more. I suppose in looking at the points in each flight, the Biale Old Kraft could be considered the overall winner with 25 points, as no other wines, including those in the next flight, scored as well.

  • 2009 Robert Biale Zinfandel Old Kraft Vineyard 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

    Aromas of raspberry preserves and pepper with an earthy, forest floor-like undertone. Raspberry and jammy red fruit on the palate ending with spice and pepper nuances. Fruit forward and lush without being overly ripe or raisiny. 92+ pts.

    My #1, Domino's #1
    Group #1, 25 pts

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  • 2009 Ridge Lytton Springs 87 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

    A little funky at first, with an odd cheesy/sweaty note. Red fruit- raspberry, currants- spice and pepper on the palate.

    Others liked this quite a bit more than I, and it had improved a bit by the time the wines were unveiled, and in looking at the rankings, those who voted later had this ranked higher.

    My #6, Domino's #5
    Group #2, 33 pts

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  • 2009 Ridge Geyserville 88 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County

    Aromas of acetone, cherry and red berry fruit. The acetone quality eventually blew off, but long after I turned in my ranking. Flavors of red fruit, cloves and pepper with a nice finish. Good, but not special tonight. This received two 1st place votes so it had some fans.

    My #5, Domino's #6
    Group #3, 45 pts (tie broken by 1st place votes as this had two)

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  • 2009 Robert Biale Zinfandel Valsecchi 92 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County

    Notes of pomegranate, raspberry, herbs, florals and pepper. Boysenberry and ripe red fruit on the palate with a long, balanced finish. Again, jammy and lush without being too ripe or forward.

    My #2, Domino's #2
    Group #4, 45 pts (tie broken as this received no 1st place votes)

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  • 2009 Ridge Zinfandel Paso Robles 90 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

    Red fruit and spice but again, there's a very subtle acetone note here as well. Lovely red berry fruit, spice and raspberry flavors. Finishes with a nice sweetness, and I mean that in a complimentary way; very nice.

    My #3, Domino's #4
    Group #6, 56 pts

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  • 2009 Robert Biale Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard 89 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

    Notes of black fruits and cherry with an herbal undertone. Flavors of cherry, spice, pepper, cinnamon and boysenberry. 89+ pts.

    My #4, Domino's #3
    Group #5, 48 pts

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Flight 3 - III. Zins (6 Notes)

Our host threw us a curve ball this year, including this flight of ten year olds.

  • 2004 Ridge Zinfandel Jimsomare 86 Points

    USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

    Port-like to start, raisiny and ripe, becoming less port-like as it sits, developing beefy, saline qualities. Has a stewed quality on the palate, along with bouillon and red fruit.

    My #6, Domino's #4
    Group #5, 55 pts

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  • 2004 Ridge Zinfandel York Creek 89 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

    Aromas of black raspberry and cherry, becoming darker and developing a molasses-like note- almost like a deep barbeque sauce quality- a bit smoky. Flavors of dark fruit, spice, currants and herbs with a subtle earthy note. 89+ pts.

    My #3, Domino's #1
    Group #1, 33 pts

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  • 2004 Ridge Zinfandel Pagani Ranch 87 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

    Another pruny, raisiny wine, becoming less so with air but never losing it entirely. The palate follows the bouquet- a bit raisiny and dark.

    My #5, Domino's #6
    Group #4, 54 pts

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  • 2004 Ridge Lytton Springs 90 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

    Opens with aromas of candied red fruit turning to raspberry and cherry. Develops a subtle earthy, bretty note which I rather liked at this level. Wonderful red fruit and spice on the palate, picking up a barbeque sauce quality here as well- a brown sugar/molasses kind of thing that I also found interesting.

    My #2, Domino's #3
    Group #2, 35 pts

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  • 2004 Ridge Zinfandel Ponzo Vineyard 91 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    Aromas of red raspberry, cherry, boysenberry and pepper. Dark fruit and raspberry flavors on the palate, as well as earth and pepper tones. Finishes well, with good fruit and length.

    My #1, Domino's #2
    Group #3, 37 pts

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  • 2004 Ridge Geyserville 88 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County

    Currants and florals with a subtle raisin note. Black fruit, bouillon cube and spice on the palate.

    My #4, Domino's #5
    Group #6, 59 pts

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Flight 4 - IV. Blind Dinner Wine (1 Note)

One of the attendees brought a blind dinner wine, and I am very glad that he did. This drank WELL above its label and price tag. I guessed Sonoma Coast Pinot in the $30 range, others were guessing Russian River/Sonoma, etc., and I think we all thought it was priced much, much higher.

  • 2010 Castle Rock Pinot Noir Sonoma County 91 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County

    Tasted blind. Cherry, vanilla and earth aromas. Cherry, cranberry and nutmeg tones on the palate. Balanced and light; obviously a Pinot, but well-crafted and very nice. I guessed Sonoma Coast Pinot. This was a real surprise when unveiled.

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Flight 5 - V. Nonblind Dinner & Dessert Wines (7 Notes)

Brought by the attendees, enjoyed nonblind with smoked brisket & slaw, and a wonderful banana-based cake for dessert.

Closing

This is always a fun event which we are happy to be able to attend. Thank you R&D for hosting and inviting us.

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