Jan 24^th - Zinfans
By Bastardo

We didn’t go to ZAP, so we visited the Canadian contingent instead. The idea was to dine at The Heliotrope at Fanshawe College, where Zinfan and Mr. Flippy are instructors, then return to Chateau Zin-Can, to taste three '95 Zinfandels. The French guy was able to join us for dinner, while overseeing restaurant operations. He'd rejoin us after putting the place to bed.

The Heliotrope is staffed by Fanshawe culinary students; they were attentive, efficient, and professional. The fare was excellent; the menu was as follows:

Menu
Red pepper, sweet corn and celeriac soup
Warm shrimp salad with mushroom and shallots
Grilled pork tenderloin with chili and honey glaze
Vanilla creme brulee

Our aperitif for the evening was Zinchick's 1994 Stoneyridge Butler's Grant Vineyard Chardonnay Reserve, and it gives further proof that the Niagara Peninsula can produce delightful wines. Medium straw to light gold, it shows pretty flavors and aromas of pear, with maple syrup and sweet pea nuances. Zinchick described it as smelling like a cheese cake box. Not quite as big as many Californian models, this was a pleasure to drink, nevertheless.

Three Bordeaux were brought along to enjoy with dinner, and were tasted side by side, with eyes open.

We began with the 1982 Chateau Belair, a dark garnet, with the barest hint of brick at the rim. Mossy/wet wood/aquarium was immediately evident on the nose, but finally blew off with more than an hour of air. C.Z. commented "It's not a monster wine, is it?" He was right, and who'd have it any other way? Elegant, with some silky tannins that'll hold it nicely for a few more years, this fanned out to show spicy/chocolate/cigar box/red currant/cassis, and a touch of plum. A fine, fine claret.

Next came the '82 Chateau Palmer, which showed just a bit of barnyard to the nose that never quite blew off. That was the only minor complaint about this dark garnet, though. Similar in size to the Belair, this is "silky and velvety in the mouth," according to Mr. Flippy. Reminiscent of black currant/black cherry/cassis and plum, this has a touch of licorice on a finish that seemed somewhat short at first, but lengthened with air. C.Z. and this taster preferred the first red to this, but only slightly.

Upon tasting the '90 LaGrange, C.Z. exclaimed "Wow! Pretty huge!" Another dark garnet, this IS big, but it's also surprisingly approachable now. The ample tannins are, again, silky, with rich flavors and aromas of black cherry/cassis/plum. Most seemed to like this one best, but this taster confesses to being charmed by the Belair. There was really little to choose between these three beauties.

After some photo opportunities, we took our leave to enter the next phase --- Monster Zin Rally!

WHAT THE GANG OF POUR DRANK INSTEAD...

1994 Stoneyridge Butler's Grant Vineyard Chardonnay Reserve Niagara Peninsula

1982 Chateau Belair St.-Emillion

1982 Chateau Palmer Margaux

1990 Chateau Lagrange st. Julien

1995 Deloach Russian River Zinfandel OFS

1995 Rosenblum Sonoma Zinfandel Samsel Vineyard Maggie's Reserve

1995 Rabbit Ridge Sonoma Winemaker's Grand Reserve

1994 Green and Red Napa Zinfandel Chiles Mill

1994 Warre's Vintage Port