4 to 6 pm
$5.00 per person
Home of: ExecutiveGiftService.com
611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite #1, Palm Springs, 92264
760-327-7701, 800-925-0030
We are very much devoted to Zinfandel which no doubt explains why we have so many Zin events, or at least include samples in other tasting events. Besides being a delicious wine, it has value power when compared to, let’s say, Cabernet Sauvignon. You can figure on getting the same quality level on a mid thirty-something dollar Zin as a mid sixty-something Cab, with many good Zins beginning in the $10.00 range. Most fans of the grape are acquainted with Four Vines of Paso Robles and some have heard of Mettler Family of Lodi, but who has heard of Oakridge Winery of Lodi; and did you know that Dante Dusi of Paso Robles’ Dusi Vineyard has his own label of Old Vine Zin? Phil Molnar from Frank-Lin Distributors will be on hand to discuss and pour the wines.
2005 OAK RIDGE WINERY ZINFANDEL, OLD VINE, LODI
List price 15.00; our price 12.99
This family-owned and operated winery was founded in 1934 as a winemaking cooperative of local growers. During the last 5 years the historic landmark has been transformed into a state-of-the-industry winery. Some of the gnarled old vines on this property are over 120 years old, yielding small amounts of concentrated fruit. The wine has a bright lovely fruit focused on full berry and spice flavors. It unleashes a blast of wild berry, currant, pepper and chai tea flavors, wrapped into sturdy but fine tannins. From the Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine: “As ripe as it is fruity, but sufficiently fixed on blackberries to stay on the varietal track, this broad, slightly viscous, full-bodied Zin fits the district style to a ‘T.”
2006 FOUR VINES ZINFANDEL, OLD VINE CUVÉE, CALIFORNIA
List price 14.00; our price 11.50
This Old Vine Cuvée was selected from vineyards in the top Zinfandel appellations of California. Old vine fruit lends increased depth and character to the blend. Aged in small French and American oak barrels, the wine begins with silky layers of berry fruit and spice, then glides into a lingering oak finish. You will find it jammy and juicy, with ripe cherry and toasty mocha aromas and easygoing blackberry and spice flavors. It has enough tannins and structure to hold awhile.
2007 METTLER FAMILY VINEYARDS ZINFANDEL, “EPICENTER” OLD VINE, LODI
List price 22.00; our price 18.99
With their roots in the wine industry dating back to the 1770s, it’s no surprise that the Mettler Family is still growing grapes today. After migrating to the U.S. in the late 1800’s, the Mettler family eventually settled in Lodi which is a true Mediterranean climate. This is why early settlers from Europe chose to plant their vineyards here. Intense and rich, the red berry fruit explodes in the mouth showing first its fine balancing acid, then moves on to the oak elements of earth and spice with some bacon notes.
2007 DANTE DUSI VINEYARD ZINFANDEL, PASO ROBLES
List price 32.00; our price 26.75
Janell Dusi remembers making wine with her grandfather in the basement using fruit from her family’s 100-acre, 80-year-old Paso Robles Vineyard The high quality fruit from this vineyard is also sold to wineries like Turley, Four Vines and Tobin James. Janell’s 2007 Zinfandel is purely hers. Feminine in style, this Zin is bright and evocative of blueberries with judicious oak influence and nice acidity. Some tea leaf spice emerges from the soft fruit mouth feel. It is a special Zin from a fantastic vintage.
2005 OAKRIDGE WINERY ZINFANDEL, “MOSS ROXX”, ANCIENT VINE, LODI
List price 29.95; our price 26.99
Besides making their own find wines, Oakridge is a custom crush facility that produces wines for other companies and or vintners. Moss Roxx is sourced from 8 distinctive ancient vine vineyards. 18 months in multiple cooperages accentuates the classic varietal spice and imparts vanilla aromatics, sweet, dark fruit notes and a clean, fresh mouth feel. It shows Zin’s fine bramble character alongside oak spice nuances. This rich elegant wine will also age wonderfully for 5-10 years.
2005 FOUR VINES ZINFANDEL PORT, PASO ROBLES
List price 25.00; our price 21.99
The grapes were left on the vine until maximum ripeness, picked and fermented slowly until 10 Brix, where upon 2 year-old oak aged brandy was added to stop the fermentation. The wine was aged in small French oak barrels for 20 months. The dark ruby colored dessert wine opens with a ripe plum and spice like bouquet. On the palate, it is full bodied, quite smooth, and balanced. It is rich and concentrated with velvety-sweet, ripe red raspberry flavors and a hint of raisin on the back palate. The finish is nice, smooth, and pleasant, with spice trailing into a silky caramel finish.