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California Zinfandels
for Barbecue Season
Zinfandel entices you with its bountiful flavors and styles. Sometimes sweet, soft, other times spicy and intense, Zinfandel is malleable and utterly versatile. As we approach yet another summer season, it is best that we examine wines that go marvelously well with our meals. This month, I will feature an exciting batch of 2004 Zinfandel California vintages.
2004’s weather condition allowed Zinfandel to ripen fully, thus the distinctive ripe blackberry, boysenberry, cherry, and plum character. Most of the Zinfandels featured below are quite full-bodied, full-flavored and warm.
Recommended Zinfandel Wine
BEAULIEU VINEYARD, 2005 BEAUZEAUX RED WINE CALIFORNIA
$9-$11
Though not varietally designated as Zinfandel, this wine possesses all the qualities and greatness of the wine. It features very palatable texture, body, and finish. Tastes of loganberry, toast, and mild oak. 68% Zinfandel, 21% Syrah, 11% other. 50,000 cases. Drink through 2008.
ARTEZIN, 2004 ZINFANDEL, MENDOCINO-SONOMA-AMADOR
$16-18
Jammy, powerful and rich. This Zin features light oak structure and finish. Tastes of berry jam, raisin, plum, pepper and wood. 58% Mendocino, 25% Sonoma, 17% Amador counties. Drink through 2008.
FROG'S LEAP, 2004 ZINFANDEL, NAPA VALLEY
$24-$26
Brimming with aromas of damp earth, lavender, and cinnamon. Tasting of boysenberry, blueberry, pepper, blackberry and oak. 9,500 cases. Drink through 2008.
MONTEVINA, TERRA D'ORO, 2004 ZINFANDEL, AMADOR COUNTY
$16-$18
Deep ruby color. Appealing black raspberry aroma. Medium depth and body. Tastes of blackberry, plum, aniseed, toast, coconut and spicy oak. Great value Zinfandel. Drink through 2008.
RAVENSWOOD – Zinfandels
* 2004 BELLONI, RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY, $28-$30
* 2004 BARRICIA, SONOMA VALLEY, $28-$30
* 2004 TELDESCHI, DRY CREEK VALLEY, $28-$30
* 2004 BIG RIVER, ALEXANDER VALLEY, $28-$30
Supple and full-bodied. Intense fruity flavors of blackberry, cherry, toast, and oak. Appealing tannic structure complemented by ripe fruit. 25% field blend. 787.5 cases. Well-balanced and rich, the Barricia is brimming with flavors of blackberries, cassis, licorice, bitter chocolate and vanilla. Features minty flavor and medium-full bodied. 24% Petite Sirah. 1,025 cases. The Teldeschi is laced with flavors of blackberry, black cherry, toasts and pepper. It is full-bodied and intense. 17% Petite Sirah, 5% Carignane. 2,375 cases. Ripe and fleshy is the Big River. It features an excellent balance of acidity, oakiness and fruitiness. It tastes of black cherry, blackberry, toast, and oak. 1,525 cases. Drink through 2008.
SOBON ESTATE, 2004 ZINFANDEL COUGAR HILL, AMADOR COUNTY
$16-$18
Displays attractive combination of berry jam, oak, raisin and pepper. Hints of chocolate and bitter cranberries. 84% Zinfandel and 16% Petite Syrah. 15.9% alc. Drink through 2008.
GIRARD, 2004 OLD VINE ZINFANDEL, NAPA VALLEY
$24-$26
Ripe and juicy. Full-bodied and concentrated. Features flavors of blackberry and plum with evident oaky tendencies. 15% Petite Sirah. 1,850 cases. Drink through 2008.
HAYWOOD ESTATE, 2004 ZINFANDEL, LOS CHAMIZAL VYD., SONOMA VALLEY
$21-$23
Intense, full-bodied and intense. Tastes reminiscent of berry jam, balck cherry, plum, pepper, spicy oak, tinged with chocolate. Extremely good value. 1,207 cases. Drink through 2008.
If you enjoyed these wine reviews, you
might also find the following wine resources
to be useful:
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