Saturday, November 17, 2007
4 to 6 pm
$5.00 per person
Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com
611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 327-7701
Most people think of Beaujolais Nouveaux for an accompaniment to that Thanksgiving meal less than a week away. Take that thought one step further and consider Zinfandel. I do serve at least one Zin with that annual full-blown meal, but have hesitated in recommending it to my customers. No more; the November issue of Bon Appetit included an article supporting this view: “this bright, juicy wine, laden with berry flavors and enhanced with a smidgen of sweetness, is the correct wine for Thanksgiving fare.” While not in total agreement with all that was said in the article, I do believe the message is timely and, therefore, so is our tasting event.
2003 Napa Cellars Zinfandel, Napa Valley
$17.95
This is the perfect middle ground between the spicy Zinfandels of the Sierra Foothills and the fruity jammy Zinfandels of Sonoma. Both characteristics can be found in moderation with this wine. You can expect a swirl of the glass to reveal sweet ripe berries and black pepper spice with elements of sun-baked earth. The entry is sweet, displaying hints of raspberry and chocolate, but well balanced with sufficient acid and a little pepper at the front. It is full bodied with complex flavors and a smooth finish. This winery was originally owned by Rombauer and Frank Family but was recently sold to the Trinchero family of Napa Valley. Alcohol 14.5%
2005 Jake-Ryan Cellars Zinfandel, Mt. Veeder, Napa
$25.00
This Bald Mountain Vineyard Zin from Mt. Veeder is bursting with aromas of cherry, raspberry and blackberry, with some integrated caramel and vanilla notes. In the mouth, the flavors are ripe cherry, rhubarb, and blackberry preserves. Cedar and spice characteristics add a punch of complexity and personality. Alcohol 14.5%
2004 Wine Guerrilla Zinfandel, Dry Creek, Sonoma
$25.00
This wine comes to us from a negociant who over the years has espyed the best vineyard sources in Sonoma County and made deals to secure fruit from these growers to vinify and blend the small batches he produces. Though mostly Zin, there are small amounts of Petite Sirah, Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvedre, Barbera and Touriga in the succulent blend. Produced at the David Coffaro Winery in Geyserville. Alcohol 14.8%
2004 Tin Barn Vineyards Zinfandel, Russian River Valley
$17.95
The grapes for this bottling are sourced from the Gilsson Vineyard, a 35 year old vineyard nearWindsor, in Sonoma County. Tin Barn Vineyards is a collaborative effort of winemaker Michael Lancaster and his two partners, Gray Fowler and Carl Stewart. This deep dark red colored wine shows forward raspberry and cherry fruit and a long, seductive finish topped off with a hint of vanilla and toast from the new American oak barrels used for aging. Alcohol 15.2%
2005 Opolo Vineyards Zinfandel, Summit Creek, Paso Robles
$17.95
Opolo Vineyards comprises 270 acres of vineyards in both the Westside and Eastside areas of Paso Robles. Owners Rick Quinn and David Nichols have chosen to produce opulent wines that are rich and highly extracted. That goes for all the varietals they produce which seem to come from the bigger-is-better school of thought. Not for everybody, this big Zin has a sweet entry that will stand up to any cranberry preparation on your plate. It is resplendent in ripe black cherry, raspberry and spice and is framed by soft tannins and balanced acidity. Alcohol 16.5%
n.v. Chateau Potelle “Zinie de Potelle” Desert Zinfandel
$12.99
This late harvest Zinfandel is sweet, at 6.5% residual sugar, but with a lot of vigor, strength and character. It is a delicious Port-style wine made from dry-farmed, old vine grapes, fermented and aged 18 months in French oak. It has sweet cherry and wild berry fruit with chocolate undertones. It displays deep aromas and is very smooth and elegant in the mouth with underlying hints of nutmeg and cinnamon. The name Zinie comes from the Potelle’s dog, and here I thought it was a diminutive for Zinfandel.
4 to 6 pm
$5.00 per person
Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com
611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 327-7701
Most people think of Beaujolais Nouveaux for an accompaniment to that Thanksgiving meal less than a week away. Take that thought one step further and consider Zinfandel. I do serve at least one Zin with that annual full-blown meal, but have hesitated in recommending it to my customers. No more; the November issue of Bon Appetit included an article supporting this view: “this bright, juicy wine, laden with berry flavors and enhanced with a smidgen of sweetness, is the correct wine for Thanksgiving fare.” While not in total agreement with all that was said in the article, I do believe the message is timely and, therefore, so is our tasting event.
2003 Napa Cellars Zinfandel, Napa Valley
$17.95
This is the perfect middle ground between the spicy Zinfandels of the Sierra Foothills and the fruity jammy Zinfandels of Sonoma. Both characteristics can be found in moderation with this wine. You can expect a swirl of the glass to reveal sweet ripe berries and black pepper spice with elements of sun-baked earth. The entry is sweet, displaying hints of raspberry and chocolate, but well balanced with sufficient acid and a little pepper at the front. It is full bodied with complex flavors and a smooth finish. This winery was originally owned by Rombauer and Frank Family but was recently sold to the Trinchero family of Napa Valley. Alcohol 14.5%
2005 Jake-Ryan Cellars Zinfandel, Mt. Veeder, Napa
$25.00
This Bald Mountain Vineyard Zin from Mt. Veeder is bursting with aromas of cherry, raspberry and blackberry, with some integrated caramel and vanilla notes. In the mouth, the flavors are ripe cherry, rhubarb, and blackberry preserves. Cedar and spice characteristics add a punch of complexity and personality. Alcohol 14.5%
2004 Wine Guerrilla Zinfandel, Dry Creek, Sonoma
$25.00
This wine comes to us from a negociant who over the years has espyed the best vineyard sources in Sonoma County and made deals to secure fruit from these growers to vinify and blend the small batches he produces. Though mostly Zin, there are small amounts of Petite Sirah, Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvedre, Barbera and Touriga in the succulent blend. Produced at the David Coffaro Winery in Geyserville. Alcohol 14.8%
2004 Tin Barn Vineyards Zinfandel, Russian River Valley
$17.95
The grapes for this bottling are sourced from the Gilsson Vineyard, a 35 year old vineyard nearWindsor, in Sonoma County. Tin Barn Vineyards is a collaborative effort of winemaker Michael Lancaster and his two partners, Gray Fowler and Carl Stewart. This deep dark red colored wine shows forward raspberry and cherry fruit and a long, seductive finish topped off with a hint of vanilla and toast from the new American oak barrels used for aging. Alcohol 15.2%
2005 Opolo Vineyards Zinfandel, Summit Creek, Paso Robles
$17.95
Opolo Vineyards comprises 270 acres of vineyards in both the Westside and Eastside areas of Paso Robles. Owners Rick Quinn and David Nichols have chosen to produce opulent wines that are rich and highly extracted. That goes for all the varietals they produce which seem to come from the bigger-is-better school of thought. Not for everybody, this big Zin has a sweet entry that will stand up to any cranberry preparation on your plate. It is resplendent in ripe black cherry, raspberry and spice and is framed by soft tannins and balanced acidity. Alcohol 16.5%
n.v. Chateau Potelle “Zinie de Potelle” Desert Zinfandel
$12.99
This late harvest Zinfandel is sweet, at 6.5% residual sugar, but with a lot of vigor, strength and character. It is a delicious Port-style wine made from dry-farmed, old vine grapes, fermented and aged 18 months in French oak. It has sweet cherry and wild berry fruit with chocolate undertones. It displays deep aromas and is very smooth and elegant in the mouth with underlying hints of nutmeg and cinnamon. The name Zinie comes from the Potelle’s dog, and here I thought it was a diminutive for Zinfandel.
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