TN: '97 Loxton Zinfandel

[Van The Man]

Continuing along my merry way enjoying the ’97 Zins out of California and so far, I’ve yet to taste anything even close to fair. Here’s another goody!

1997 Loxton Zinfandel; Napa Valley (CA, US) - $15.00

Very attractive color, pretty ruby and magenta tones, medium body with excellent limpidity. Nose is absolutely zinfandel with notes of spicy red cherry and raspberry, spicy currant and perhaps a touch of earth. On the palate, a joy to swirl with tangy red raspberry/cherry fruit, freshly cracked white pepper, tart plum and maybe just a hint of mint. This wine is only $15.00??? WOW! Easily the best QPR I can remember in some time. Enough structure to allow one to buy a case of 12 and go to it every 4 to 6 months. If you like Zinfandel, don’t miss the ’97 vintage and if you can find this wine, buy it in a heartbeat. 136 cases produced.

Served with a portabella mushroom stuffed with pasta, tomato and wild mushroom.

[Bucko]

Never heard of them - got any poop on the winery? A mom and pop?

Bucko

[Van The Man]

Bucko -

Sounds to me like it's a guy basically making wine out of his garage or doing some contracting somewhere.

But here's what I know.....

Owned by Chris Lockton. The wine was produced and bottled in Sonoma, Glen Ellen to be exact. 82% of the fruit is from the Priest Ranch/Orion Vineyard in the hills east of St. helena, nestled in a high valley about 800 ft. above sea level.

Is it a killer? No, but at it's price point, it's a darned good bottle. And I guarantee I paid full retail since I know where I got this one. It's probably readily available in the $12 to $14 ball park which makes it a super bottle for the dough.

[Bucko]

Now I know the place - built over a nuclear waste site. You drink half of the bottle and it fills back up by itself......

<just kidding Chris - Van will believe it>

Bucko