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It’s April 15^th and that means time for more wine. “Vintages” is featuring a release from a few Californian “Zinmakers” with a focus on some of the single ranch wines from Joel Peterson’s Ravenswood.  

Here are a few of my observations.  

678805 GEYSER PEAK 'BLOCK COLLECTION' ZINFANDEL 2002 Sandy Lane Vineyard, Contra Costa County $24.95
A hit with most tasters present, except for yours truly. I just find it too sweet for my taste. Its heady nose boasts aromas of spearmint, ripe briary fruit, blackcurrant and cherry. It is a fruit bomb. The finish is pure sweet dark fruit coulis with a kiss of dark chocolate.  Find this wine

983577 KENWOOD ZINFANDEL 2003, Sonoma County $21.95
I always find the wines of Kenwood offer good value and plenty of gusto for the price. There are notes of plum and redcurrant along with spicy hits of pepper and green peppercorn. It is well balanced, medium bodied, the sweet finish pumps back plum and dark berry flavours. No need to wait. It is drinking nicely. Find this wine

686204 ROSENBLUM 'ANNETTE'S RESERVE' ZINFANDEL 2003 Redwood Valley $44.95 
This high octane puppy shows its 16.2 degrees of alcohol with an almost port like concentration of toasty oak, coconut, ripe blackberry, blueberry and couvature chocolate. The high intensity fruit on the palate is rich and ripe. The finish is spicy and I need a nap! Contrary to Mr. Laube’s opinion, “drink now,” I think one best let this monster sit for a year before engaging it. Find this wine

684571 RAVENSWOOD 'OLD HILL' ZINFANDEL 2003 Sonoma Valley $74.95 
An elegant nose of red berry, black raspberry, Szechwan peppercorn, and Dutch licorice. Further swirling releases layers of red fruit, balsa and sweet spice. It is rich and powerful without being over the top. The palate is tight and quite backward. I believe this will be a lovely wine. Having consumed older vintages of this wine, I would say this will go the distance.   Find this wine

 

942599 RAVENSWOOD 'OLD VINE' ZINFANDEL 2003, Lodi $23.95 
For some reason the “Vintners Blend,” a regular Vintages essential, is part of this release. I have never been overly struck on this wine and for a few dollars more one can enjoy the regional characteristics of a couple of Ravenswood’s better wines. The Lodi offers plenty of floral, zinberry, meaty notes and sweet cake spice aromas. It has a sweet feel on the mouth; the fruit is solid and countered by a little herbaceous tone. The finish is creamy, full of toffee, chocolate and mint. On the downside it is a little hot.  
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684563 RAVENSWOOD 'OLD VINE' ZINFANDEL 2002, Mendocino County $24.95  
I would choose the Mendocino over the Lodi if I was to only purchase one of the two. It has more soul and character. The colour is deeper showing more concentration than the latter. Aromas of dried mint, cedar, dried Chinese mushroom, violet, mocha and red fruit are enticing. The palate is full of nicely balanced damson, blueberry and briar. Sip by sip its acidity livens the palate. Tasty.  Find this wine

684589 RAVENSWOOD 'TELDESCHI' ZINFANDEL 2002, Dry Creek Valley  $44.95  
As delicious as the “Old Hill” is, it is pricey. This is closer to my budget and bloody tempting. It is a luscious glass of wine with plenty of black fruit, some spicy notes and a hefty helping of silky milk chocolate tannin. A layer of cooked fruit coulis runs from the initial sip right through to the finish. Find this wine

599795 RODNEY STRONG 'ALDEN VINEYARDS' CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2001, Alexander Valley $39.95  
I have never been particularly wowed by Rodney Strong’s wine until I encountered this bottle. The balance is superb. The blackberry and currant flavours are enhanced by a trace of mineral earthiness. Tannins are discernable, yet they do not distract. Find this wine

709808  SILVER OAK CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2001 Alexander Valley $99.95  
Plenty of warm fuzzy berry fruit, a little mineral, candle wax and tea on the nose. A mouthful of clean blackcurrant, a hit of spicy oak and coffee on the finish. However, it really lacks the depth and concentration I remember from earlier renditions of this wine. Find this wine

925453 KILIKANOON 'KILLERMAN'S RUN' SHIRAZ 2002 South Australia $18.95  
This is pretty, dense, full of flavour and well balanced. I find a chewy creamy palate with layers of black fruit, pepper and star anise. Good value and ready to sip. Find this wine

670505 CHÂTEAU DE TREVIAC 2004, CORBIÈRES, FRANCE $13.95  
Here are lots of smoky bacon, black pepper, thyme, dark sweet fruit and floral notes. The palate is heavy on ground pepper. It is dense, yet at the same time silky. There is tannin, but it poses no threat to the drinking quality of the wine.  Find this wine

718924 CHÂTEAU SAINT GERMAIN 2003, Coteaux du Languedoc $15.95
I always pop a couple of Didier Cabanes wines away as I feel they always offer good QPR. This vintage offers sweet red licorice, lavender, flower leaves and blueberry on the nose. It comes across as being sweeter, the heat of the vintage I assume, but there is no lack of acid to tame. Find this wine

937474 J.L CHAVE 'OFFERUS' SAINT-JOSEPH, FRANCE, 2003 $28.95  
I was not overly impressed with the previous offering of “Offerus, however this “offers us” a wine that is back on track. It is inky, full of dark fruit with a note of vanilla, a creamy cappuccino feel to the palate and a long fruit laden finish.  Find this wine

701946 NOVA CAPPELLETTA 'MINOLA' BARBERA DEL MONFERRATO, ITALY, 2003 $17.95  
How about a nose of Green peppercorn, “Nutella,” cardamom and toffee? It is engaging to say the least. The palate has some nice organic elements and layers of raspberry, redcurrant and stewed rhubarb. Good stuff for the money.  Find this wine

991075 SAN FELICE 'CAMPOGIOVANNI' BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO, 1999, Italy $52.95  
A fairly full bodied wine with a wave of dark fruit that is followed by traces of slate, dried dog poo, mineral and marjoram. The acids are vibrant and it needs time to settle.  Find this wine

672915 FINCA LUZON TINTO, 2004, Jumilla, Spain $10.95  
Care for a wine that has guts and character for $10.95? Then buy this by the case and quaff it during the summer months. It has some earthy notes of mineral, hay and tobacco. However, the palate has lots of concentrated sweet and toasty fruit and at less than the price of a couple of brews after work, this is tasty.  Find this wine

Cheers
CZ 

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