december 2009: zinfandel battle
This was our first true repeat in the nearly six years of doing these tastings. True to the character of Zinfandels, these wines were not introverted, with some big flavors and bold fruit. Tasters were surprised at how different the bottles were, however, showing a great variety of textures and nuances.
While the first place wine easily garnered more points than the rest, there were very few points separating the next three, and Kristin's third place bottle being an outstanding value.
Mark and JC were outstanding guest tasters, especially for their first time, and Ali did an admirable job at taking notes.
First Place: Green & Red Zinfandel Chiles Canyon Vineyards 2007 (Napa Valley). Shy on the nose, but hinting at detergent, flowers, cedar, and pencil shavings. Has a dark profile in the mouth, with cola, licorice, cherry, and a medicinal quality. Not overly sweet, and very balanced. Mark, JC, and Kristin's favorite of the night. Received 27 points. David's bottle. About $22.
Second Place: Artezin Zinfandel 2007 (Mendocino County). Reminiscent of Chinatown, latex, pork, sea air, iodine, rice paper, and cinnamon on the nose. Smooth and light in the mouth, with cured olives, minerals, earth, plums, and medicine. David felt that this could be "smooth to a fault", while Mark felt it was "palatable". Andy's favorite. Received 19 points. Andy's bottle. About $15.
Third Place: Plungerhead Old Vines Zinfandel 2007 (Lodi). Woody and smoky aromas that are reminiscent of campfire, evergreen, sap, walnuts, chestnuts, and bacon. Andy was reminded of "a cabin in the woods". Very jammy palate, with lip smacking fruit that's more candied on the finish. Chocolate, vanilla, and oak on the finish. David felt that his bordered on "over the top". Best value award. Received 17 points. Kristin's bottle. About $13.
7 Deadly Zins Zinfandel 2007 (Lodi). Tasters noted scents of Ben Gay, lime, toothpaste, canned ham, cool ranch Dorito, and prunes. Prune flavors, along with York Peppermint Patty, granny smith apples, eucalyptus, and pears. Lighter, with less intense dark fruit. Ali's favorite. Received 16 points. Mark's bottle. About $25.
Four Vines Zinfandel The Sophisticate 2006 (Sonoma County). Exuberant nose of jam, wild berries, violets, fog, mist, candied cherries, soda float, blackberries, and canned gel. Hot on the palate, where the flavors show up on the attack, but die on the finish. Root beer and celery notes. Received 11 points. JC's bottle. About $20.
Laurel Glen Vineyard Za Zin Old Vine Zinfandel 2006 (Lodi). Horse stable, Amish, and Central Park aromas, along with cut grass, mold, lily, horse shit, and exhaust. Watery and almost dead in the mouth, with no energy. JC noted that bottle "#2 is like #2". No points. Ali's bottle. About $18.
Chambers Muscadelle Rosewood Vineyards (Rutherglen, Victoria). Beautiful bouquet of apricots, brown sugar, pralines, almonds, ginger, nutmeg, and golden raisins. Full-bodied and complex, featuring butterscotch, cinnamon, burnt toast, honey, crème brulee, tea, and milk chocolate flavors. From David's cellar. About $15.
