favorites from a zinfandel tasting

[newsguy]

Part II of my favorites from a tasting a few weekends back (at B-21 in tarpon springs). first post was on the south african wines. this one's on the zins.

disclaimer: no detailed notes. wines are grouped together in descending order of preference. also, added a wine critic's score if one was available. prices listed are B-21's retail, not discounted prices offered the day of tasting.

EXCELLENT

2002 Michael David Earthquake Lodi ($24.99) -spectacular. massive fruit and spice. enough
fruit to cover the incredibly high alcohol (15.9%, i believe). my favorite zin of the day and my sole zin purchase (2 bottles). wish i'd bought more. if you like huge, in-your-face wines, you must try this one.


VERY GOOD to EXCELLENT

2000 Chateau Montelena Napa ($22.99) - great concentration. just keeps expanding in your mouth with a finish that goes on and on. great fruit yet more restrained and complex than the Earthquake. i loved this Montelena and look forward to trying it next year from an even better vintage (the '01). 90 RP.

2001 Renwood Grandmere ($19.99) - 92 WE.

2001 Renwood Fiddletown ($14.99) - textbook amador county zin and no large dropoff from the Grandmere. great value. 90 WE.


VERY GOOD

2001 Norman ""The Monster'' Pasco Robles ($19.99) - big bruiser.

2001 The Terraces Napa Valley ($26.99) - very nice stuff, but surprisingly oaky for a zin. 93 CG.

2001 Rancho Zabaco Chiotti Vineyard ($19.99) - very concentrated. 92 WN.

2001 St. Francis Old Vine ($17.99) - 89 RP.

2002 Michael David Seven Deadly Zins Lodi ($17.99).

2002 Consentino Lodi ($17.99) - incredibly spicy and very tasty. but gave a mirage of sweetness.

2002 Ridge Pasco Robles ($26.99) -admittedly, i tried the three ridge bottlings very late in the tasting, when my taste buds had already seen a lot of action from many ''in your face" wines. however, i just didn't like the ridges as much as i wanted to. they were very good, but in this setting didn't show the depth or complexity that i had hoped for.

2002 Ridge Lytton Springs ($32.99)

2002 Ridge Ponzo Vineyards ($26.99)

2001 Rancho Zabaco Stefani Vineyard ($19.99) - mocha prominent in the great nose.

1999 Gallo Sonoma Frei Ranch ($17.99) - very nice, but seemed almost cab-like after the rancho zabacos. 91 WE.

2002 Castle Rock Russian River Valley ($9.99) - darn tasty and a steal at this price.

2001 Rancho Zabaco Dry Creek Reserve ($12.99) - very nice. each year this bottling tastes more and more like how RZ's Sonoma Heritage bottling *used* to taste (only now at a higher price).

2002 Cline Ancient Vines ($12.99) - 87 CG.

[This message has been edited by newsguy (edited 06-30-2004).]