'05 vintage

[brappy]

IK, I've not tasted either winery's wines. I should have included this in with my thoughts above, but from the central coast (Tobin James), the wines were better. I do not know anything about Easton. And for that matter, I don't know anything about where they are from. Sorry...

Dananne, I tasted from the same areas as you and also a little from the central coast. I think I understand the style you like. Are you familiar with Hendry Zins? They make 2 different Zins that i know of. (They may make more but I only know of 2) Block 28 and the block 7. I believe if you were to taste these zins side-by-side you would prefer the block 7. "Claret" is a great adjective to use describing this wine. The earth comes out more, the fruit isn't so "in your face, etc... Whereas the block 28 is fruit forward and completely fruit driven. I believe this one would be your "Zin Monster". If you do try these wines, I'd love to hear your results.

However, even with your Zin preference, i believe '05 just didn't produce enough ripe fruit; and seemed to mask that fact with over acidification. I don't have anything against adding acid to balance out a wine, but when it takes the wine out of balance, well.... Or the natural acid was just too high and the fruit didn't produce enough sugars to balance....

I just remembered you posted trip notes sometime back and I never had the chance to read them. I'll do so now.....

OK. That was long, but a very entertaining read.

Of the wineries you went to, Harvest Moon and Frank Family Vineyards were the only similar wines tasted last week.

Through reading your notes, I realize our palates are a world apart. At another tasting earlier this year, I tasted through the Martinelli Zins and really liked them whereas I was very underwhelmed with Harvest Moon and Frank Family. You don't like higher alchol; I rarely will even look at the alc%. I believe we both look for balance but our definition of balance differs (ie: alc, oak, ripeness, etc.). Different strokes i guess.

I'd love to taste with you some time. Such an event might just be a real eye opener on both sides of the table.

Great notes in your trip thread, by the way. Specially liked your view on blending. Agree with that view 100%.

mark