Tasting Room
ZinfandelWINE OF THE WEEK
Rancho Zabaco
2004 Sonoma Heritage Vines, Sonoma County - Zinfandel ($18)
A sassy zin with concentrated, briary fruit. Aromas and flavors of violet, blackberry, currant and pepper. Rich and lush, with great volume.
2004 Mendocino - Zinfandel ($21)
Ripe and vibrant with integrated tannins. Brambly, with notes of violet, raspberry and toasty oak. A touch tart.
2003 Mancini Ranch, RRV, Russian River - Zinfandel ($25)
The zin was undermined by off aromas and flavors. Two bottles were tasted.
2005 California Vintner's Reserve, California - Zinfandel ($12)
A good food zin on the lighter side. Brambly, with notes of black cherry, strawberry, cherry and plum.
2004 Alexander Valley - Zinfandel ($28)
A lush, juicy zin. Briary, with black cherry and quince fruit flavors. Great backbone. Slightly sweet.
2005 Eight Cousins Vineyard, RRV, Russian River - Zinfandel ($24)
Elegant and rich. Lovely flavors of cherry, raspberry, blackberry and plum. A bit exotic. Good length.
2005 California - Zinfandel ($8)
A good zin, with rich aromas. Flavors of cherry, currant, raspberry and caramel. Sweet oak finish.
2005 Alexander Valley - Zinfandel ($25)
Rich in both texture and flavor. A bit claret in style. Notes of tangy raspberry and toasty oak.
2005 California - Zinfandel ($9)
A bit disjointed. Some sweet and sour fruit flavors, with notes of smoke, bacon, oak and mint. Coarse texture.
2003 Sonoma County - Zinfandel ($24)
A rustic zin that seems a bit tired. Aromas and flavors of dark cherry, tobacco, leather and spice.
TASTING PANEL: Steve Leveque, winemaker of Chalk Hill Wine Estates; Brian Maloney, associate winemaker of DeLoach Winery; Larry Van Aalst, sommelier of Equus; and Press Democrat wine columnist Peg Melnik.
CRITERIA: The panel samples eight to 12 wines a week in a blind tasting. Wine of the Week is based on quality, value and availability and is not necessarily the top wine of the tasting. Price is suggested retail; actual price is often lower.You can reach Staff Writer Peg Melnik at 521-5310 or e-mail pmelnik@pressdemocrat.com