[wine] Napa Zins

Happy Shopping: from SFGChronicle Napa Valley Zinfandel Lynne Char Bennett Sunday, July 5, 2009 2006 August Briggs Old Vine Napa Valley Zinfandel 2007 Brown Estate Napa Valley Zinfandel 2006 Downing Family Vineyards Fly by Night Oakville Zinfa... 2006 Green & Red Vineyard Chiles Canyon Vineyards Napa Va... More... Zinfandel can be grown in many climates, often from warmer regions that produce very ripe, juicy, big wines. Napa Valley - with Zinfandel planted as a very minor player - has mountain vineyards that receive plenty of sun but not as much heat. Napa Valley winemakers who love this grape set the prices for their Zins according to the Napa Valley reputation, which brings a premium. Here are a few Napa Zinfandels that should appeal to folks who prefer a more moderate and slightly restrained style. 2006 August Briggs Old Vine Napa Valley Zinfandel ($32). Winemaker Joe Briggs, who co-owns the winery with his wife, Sally, first produced his own label in 1995. Briggs has made wine for about 25 years, including Pinot Noir at La Crema. This bottling has a lifted nose with aromas and flavors of red and black cherry and plum, and bright acidity with almost Claret-like structure. A great food partner. 2007 Brown Estate Napa Valley Zinfandel ($36). The Brown family has been a part of the Napa Valley for almost 30 years. Co-owner (with his two sisters) and winemaker Dave Brown - who has been through almost 15 crushes - sourced the fruit for this wine from the Chiles Valley district. Lovely Zin nose and palate with spiced plum, cherry and chocolate hints; ripe and concentrated without being heavy. 2006 Downing Family Vineyards Fly by Night Oakville Zinfandel ($29). This darkly fruited wine from proprietors John and Tracy Downing and winemaker Randy Mason is for fans of a slightly riper style. This vintage is the second from the certified organic H&H vineyard. Clean and bright with plenty of ripe, but not jammy, fruit, and notes of chocolate. 2006 Green & Red Vineyard Chiles Canyon Vineyards Napa Valley Zinfandel ($21). Pam and Jay Heminway founded the winery in 1977, naming it for the vineyards' red iron soil accented with green serpentine striations. This bottling - blended from the three mountain vineyards overlooking Chiles Canyon - is a leaner, more restrained style with savory notes underscoring the red plum and berry. Bright acid on the finish. 2006 The Terraces Napa Valley Zinfandel ($28). http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/07/05/FD1U18FMHR.DTL This article appeared on page K - 5 of the San Francisco Chronicle -- ------------------------------ * Dr. James Ellingson, jellings(a)me.umn.edu * * University of Minnesota, mobile : 651/645-0753 * * Great Lakes Brewing News, 1569 Laurel Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104 *