Zinfandel of the Month is a new feature on Zinfandel Chronicles. For a little background please see the first installment published two months ago. Keep in mind that although the Zinfandel of the Month might be an older bottle, the current vintage will be one you can find at retail or via the mailing list. The December Zinfandel of the…
Grgich Hills Estate, in Rutherford, in the Napa Valley, was founded in 1977 by Mike Grgich. Grgich earned fame in 1976 when the Chardonnay he produced as winemaker at Chateau Montelena won first prize among white wines at the now famous Paris Wine Tasting. The estate has 366 acres of vineyards in American Canyon, Carneros, Yountville, Rutherford and Calistoga and…
Located in the Anderson Valley, Navarro has been producing exceptional, fairly-priced wines since 1974. The winery is best known for its range of Pinot Noirs, including the showstopper Deep End Blend (available through futures). They also produce an age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon and a delicious Zinfandel, and their whites are noteworthy with a one-of-a-kind Riesling, Gewurztaminer and Muscat Blanc. The 2011…
Carlisle Winery & Vineyards was founded in 1998 by Mike and Kendall Officer. Their passion is clear: Small lots of Zinfandel and Syrah from exceptional, historic vineyards. Tom Feeney Ranch is situated in the Russian River Valley and was planted in 1926. The wine is 89% Zinfandel and 11% mixed black varieties (Alicante Bouschet, Grand Noir de la Calmette, Petite…
Zinfandel of the Month is a new feature on Zinfandel Chronicles. For a little background please see the first installment published a month ago. Keep in mind that although the Zinfandel of the Month might be an older bottle, the current vintage will be one you can find at retail or via the mailing list. The November Zinfandel of the…
The 2001 Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel (in magnum) was the leading vote getter in the October Installment of Pick My Next Bottle. The wine was opened and served immediately with pizza from a Zeeks, a West Seattle favorite. This bottle was featured at a Zinfandel tasting that also included Zins from Turley, Carlisle, Seghesio and Frogs Leap. When I first…
Renwood Winery was established in 1993 and is one of the most respected wine producers in the Sierra Foothills, specializing in Zinfandel. In the early to mid nineties I lived in Sacramento and my passion for Zinfandel was based on trips to wineries like Renwood, Ravenswood and Rafanelli. At the time Scott Harvey was the winemaker and the Zinfandels from…
The October installment of Pick My Next Bottle focuses on Zinfandel from a few of my very favorite producers. Ridge, Turley and Williams Selyem are without a doubt in the very upper echelon of California Zinfandel producers. As I mentioned in the first installment, the purpose of this series is to provide insight into specific wines or producers you may…
Turley Wine Cellars was founded in 1993 by Larry Turley and specializes in small lots of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah from some of California’s most historic and treasured vineyards. Dragon Vineyard is estate owned and is situated at one of the highest points on Howell Mountain. Ruby red in color. 15.3% ABV. The wine has a textbook Howell Mountain nose…
I’m excited to introduce a new monthly feature: The Zinfandel Chronicles Zinfandel of the Month. Each month around the 15th or so I’ll spotlight a particular Zinfandel that I feel is noteworthy. The wine might be something I have pulled from my cellar, picked up at a local retailer or a sample provided by a winery. You can bet if…