Best of 2011 Zinfandel, Syrah & Misc Reds
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Copain 2009 Tous Ensemble Syrah – $24 per bottle
Anderson Valley
Educated in France’s Rhone Valley and inspired by the legendary Michel Chapoutier, winemaker Wells Guthrie brings a European elegance to his wines. This medium-bodied Syrah is a blend of organically grown fruit sourced from Mendocino County.
Limerick Lane 2008 Old Vine Zinfandel – $24 (Reg. $42)
Russian River Valley
Some of these vines date back to 1910 and exhibit the deep, dark, lush characteristics of Old Vine Russian River Zin. Dark ruby in color with aromas of black cherries, strawberries, slight oak and clean earth. Intriguing and complex flavors of bing cherries, raspberries, chocolate, white pepper, spices, and vanilla. Full-bodied and lush in the mouth with bright and brooding flavors leading to a long, satisfying finish.
Albini 2008 Zinfandel Ponzo Vineyard – $27
Russian River Valley
From California Grapevine: “Medium ruby; attractive, plummy, very ripe blackberry fruit aroma with notes of black pepper and vanilla; full body; rich, jammy, blackberry fruit flavors with a touch of residual sugar; medium-full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Enjoyable to drink now. Highly recommended. Only 75 cases.”
Gamba 2009 Russian River Zinfandel – $35
Winner of the “4 Star Special Recognition Gold Medal at the prestigious Orange County Wine Competition. Inviting aromas of ripe cherries, raspberries, blueberries, spice, and clean earth emerge from the glass. The nuances were accentuated on the palate with added notes of Bing cherry, loganberry, dark chocolate, white pepper, and allspice.
Rich, jammy and delicious! The bright minerality and acidity keep the wine in balance without being overly ripe. Med-to-full bodied, round, and lush with silky tannins, natural acidity, and subtle vanilla oak lead to a long, lingering finish. YUM!
Muscardini 2008 Tesoro Red – $38
Sonoma Valley
A flavorful blend of three varietals from three distinguished vineyards; Sangiovese from the Monte Rosso Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon from Ty Caton Vineyards, and Syrah from Deerfield Ranch.
Enjoy the elegant, floral cassis nose with dark cherries. Savor the vibrant red and black currants, dark chocolate and a hint of herbs. The finish is gracefully balanced with velvety tannins. Very food friendly.
Gamba 2009 Old Vine Zinfandel Gamba Estate Vineyard – $40
Russian River Valley
Gus Gamba is known as dedicated, passionate farmer and winemaker who farms his Estate Vineyard with almost fanatical attention to detail. The 110 year old Gamba Estate Vineyard only yields about ½ – 3/4 tons per acre. So why does put so much work and effort into farming these old vines? The resulting fruit is incredible intense, making for one of the deepest, most flavor-packed Zinfandels in Russian River Valley. Loads of profound, dark berries, jammy fruit, together with excellent acidity and very well-balanced. A hallmark Zinfandel.
Gamba 2009 Old Vine Zinfandel Moratto Vineyard – $40
Russian River Valley
Another fantastic Old Vine Vineyard in Russian River Valley planted in 1920. This is a hedonistic, juicy, sexy fruit bomb! The wine has a vibrant, deep purple color with ruby edges; heady aromas of blackberry, Bing cherry and sweet raspberry liqueur. Jammy flavors of Bing cherry, blackberry, chocolate, and white pepper are wrapped in gripping tannins, with good acidity that lead to a memorable finish. Rich, voluptuous, juicy, nicely balanced, and such a pleasurable wine. The intense fruit and minerality are impressive. After all, it’s all about balance.
Sanglier 2008 Syrah Kick Ranch – $40
Sonoma County
Dark as midnight with an electric purple tinge. Captivating aromas of blueberry, blackberry, chocolate and leather emerge from the glass. Rich and lush without that over-the-top extraction. The wine is seamless on the palate with focused flavors of blueberry, black raspberry, smoked meats, dark chocolate, and espresso. No “funk” to speak of. Silky smooth, complex and beautifully balanced with dusty tannins and good minerality that brings the flavors front and center.
Full and luxurious mouthfeel with an impressively long finish, this wine begs for another glass, and another…. OUTSTANDING!
Antiqv2s 2006 Syrah Pisoni Vineyard- $47 (Reg. $55)
Santa Lucia Highlands
From Robert Parker, Wine Advocate:
“The 2006 Syrah is a profound Syrah offering gorgeous, meaty notes intermixed with subtle hints of roasted herbs, spring flowers, licorice, pepper, and loads of blackberry and cassis fruit. It is a rich, full-bodied, seamlessly constructed Syrah with no hard edges. The acidity, tannin, alcohol, and wood are beautifully integrated into a masterpiece of Syrah winemaking.” 95 pts
Black Bart 2007 Syrah Stagecoach Vineyard – $60
Napa Valley
95 points Connoisseur’s Guide to California Wine!
Deep garnet, almost black in color; intense aromatics of cider-smoked ham, bacon fat and graphite intertwine with blueberries, raspberries and lavender. A dense, complex palate of black raspberries, blueberries, vanilla, smoky oak framed perfectly by soft, succulent tannins. The wine has great brightness and a very persistent finish. This one’s got that “WOW Factor”!
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