Mostly an update, and a new word from Joe (thank!). Also, Q of the Day and "Zins to buy now." from the Speculator. Jim, Is Bob estivating in his hibernaculum? If so, should I bring a winter-weight Zin? Joe C. ----- Forwarded message from "Jim L. Ellingson" &lt;jellings(a)me.umn.edu&gt; ----- Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2004 15:40:23 -0500 From: "Jim L. Ellingson" &lt;jellings(a)me.umn.edu&gt; To: wine(a)thebarn.com Subject: Zinfest, Ribfest at Bob's User-Agent: Mutt/1.5.4i Had a very nice time at the Greggorys. Bob's Extra-Vin-Zin-ganza, Ertravigan-zin, Whatever! Zins and Ribs at Bobs Thursday, 29 July 2004 6:30 Primitivo Bob Kyllingstad's "Estivary/Estivaculum". 121 Washington Ave 612-672-0607 Party room is 315 Security code is 018. Most of us will buy ribs to share/pass at ribfest. Some brave souls will prepare their own ribs, salads, desserts to share/pass. Looks to be a relativley large group (say 20+). So mangnums or pairing up to bring 2 bottls of same label/vintage would be a nice touch. If you want to bring something... Corn on the cob is always nice. Ditto watermelon, salads and deserts. Bob 'Tater Salad Dave K? Dave T? Lori Ruth Greggory Bill S Jim Bread Mark/Gloria Nicolai Annette and Matt S. Joe Casell Janet S (14) Many more that I can only guess at. **prods/pings/invites** e.g. Ted and Carmen Bill Joyce Russ/Sue McC Fred Petters Question: What is the ageability of full-bodied California Zinfandels? Answer: I've had Zins dating to the late 1800s, and I've tried many old ones from more modern times, including Ridge, Storybook Mountain, Joseph Swan and Ravenswood, that have held on but not gained. I think most Zinfandels are best in their youth, on release and for the first few years of their life. The biggest tradeoff you get in aging Zin is that you lose that very distinct, bright, vivid raspberry flavor and in exchange often get a tarry flavor. Many people do like to age Zins and think they're terrific with time, so it depends on your taste. In theory, there's no reason that Zins shouldn't age. -- James Laube, senior editor <JLE> My 2 cents, from my experience w/ the group and reading and etc. Zins from good/great years will **hold steady** for 7 to 10 years. 5 to 7 may be a better rule of thumb. 1998 was very difficult, and so at 6 years out, I'd expect the 98's to be fading fast. Last year, Bob treted us to evenings of 94's and 95's. We seemed to be near the limit/drop age-wise. Strong vintages that would probabley be fading fast. IMNSHO, the "transition to tar" refered to above (note that no actual age/numbers were given.) comes late in the game and ins't my cup o' coffee. I don't object to tar (e.g. in a pinot/Brgndy) but prefer the fruitier end of the zin's life. <JLE> California Zinfandels to Buy Now The Zinfandels listed below provide explorations of California's distinctive grape at every level Posted: Monday, May 24, 2004 * The Zin Masters Top Wines Wine Score Price Cases Made TURLEY Zinfandel Napa Valley Hayne Vineyard 2001 94 $75 475 ROSENBLUM Zinfandel Sonoma County Cullinane Vineyard 2001 93 $45 125 SEGHESIO Zinfandel Alexander Valley Home Ranch 2002 93 $30 2,200 TURLEY Zinfandel Napa Valley Tofanelli Vineyard 2001 93 $28 300 D-CUBED CELLARS Zinfandel Howell Mountain 2001 92 $35 720 ROSENBLUM Zinfandel San Francisco Bay Carla's Vineyards 2001 92 $23 2,100 SEGHESIO Zinfandel Sonoma County Old Vine 2001 92 $28 7,800 TURLEY Zinfandel Napa Valley Moore Earthquake Vineyard 2001 92 $48 500 BEAULIEU VINEYARD Zinfandel Napa Valley Signet Collection 2001 91 $28 1,000 CARLISLE Zinfandel Russian River Valley Carlisle Vineyard 2001 91 $35 402 CARLISLE Zinfandel Sonoma County 2001 91 $23 219 ELYSE Zinfandel Howell Mountain 2001 91 $32 686 HAYWOOD Zinfandel Sonoma Valley Rocky Terrace Los Chamizal Vineyard 1999 91 $35 331 NEYERS Zinfandel Napa Valley Tofanelli Vineyard 2001 91 $35 571 ROSENBLUM Zinfandel Sonoma Valley Monte Rosso Vineyard 2001 91 $38 1,250 SEGHESIO Zinfandel Alexander Valley San Lorenzo 2001 91 $30 140 WILLIAMS SELYEM Zinfandel Russian River Valley Forchini Vineyard North Flats 2001 91 $34 425 Smart Buys Wine Score Price Cases Made EDGEWOOD Zinfandel Napa Valley 2001 92 $20 2,344 ROSENBLUM Zinfandel San Francisco Bay Continente Vineyard 2001 92 $16 2,700 SEGHESIO Zinfandel Sonoma County Sonoma 2002 92 $17 48,000 ROSENBLUM Zinfandel Paso Robles Richard Sauret Vineyard 2001 90 $18 5,000 ROSENBLUM Zinfandel Russian River Valley Late Harvest Rosie Rabbit Vineyard 2001 90 $18 1,200 / 375ml DASHE Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley 2001 88 $20 4,035 NAVARRO Zinfandel Mendocino 2001 88 $19 2,127 STEELE Zinfandel Mendocino Pacini Vineyard Old Vine 2001 88 $16 3,500 STEELE Zinfandel Mendocino Ridge Du Pratt Vineyard Old Vine 2000 88 $19 1,000 EASTON Zinfandel Amador County 2001 87 $13 3,500 HANNA Zinfandel Alexander Valley 2001 87 $19 1,101 LAUREL GLEN Zinfandel Lodi !ZaZin Old Vine Laurel Glen Vineyard 2002 87 $15 2,135 MARKHAM Zinfandel Napa Valley 2000 87 $17 5,000 RIDGE Three Valleys Sonoma County 2001 87 $18 14,700 ROSENBLUM Zinfandel San Francisco Bay Oakley Vineyards 2000 87 $12 6,000 TRINITAS Zinfandel Contra Costa County Old Vine 2002 87 $18 3,808 WELLINGTON Zinfandel Sonoma County 2001 87 $18 1,090 Zins for $10 or Less Wine Score Price Cases Made CASTLE ROCK Zinfandel Russian River Valley 2002 88 $10 3,300 ROSENBLUM Zinfandel California Vintners Cuvee XXV NV 86 $10 6,500 CLINE Zinfandel California 2001 85 $10 92,916 RANCHO ZABACO Zinfandel California Dancing Bull 2001 85 $10 206,800 SEVENTH MOON Zinfandel California 2001 84 $10 5,000 TALUS Zinfandel Lodi 2001 84 $8 20,000 CAMELOT Zinfandel California 2000 83 $8 10,535 DUNNEWOOD Zinfandel Mendocino County 2001 83 $9 1,350 RAVENSWOOD Zinfandel California Vintners Blend 2001 82 $10 425,000 STONEHEDGE Zinfandel California 2001 81 $10 28,681 Zinfandel 2001 91-93 Should be memorable (mid 90's on the "100" point scale. 100 point scale my flask. When was the last time anyone saw a 50, 60 or even 70 point rating?). 2000 84 mixed quality Drink 1999 89 solid, rich, ripe, high EtOH. 1998 83 "challenging" Difficult, etc. 1997 90 1996 86 1995 95 1994 96 1999 Better than 98. Quality varies with some wines showing "late harvest" effects such as residual sweetness, dried fruit flavors, etc. Also be aware that some of the 99 CA Zin's are quite high in EtOH. (jle) Rating California Zinfandel Vintages 1980-1998 VINTAGE SCORE DRINKABILITY 2001 91-93 Should be memorable 2000 84 mixed quality Drink 1999 89 solid, rich, ripe, high EtOH. 1998 83 1998 83 Tough, cool year; mostly lean, simple wines -- Drink 1997 90 Best were ripe and potent, though quality varied -- Drink or hold 1996 87 Variable quality; best are well-balanced -- Drink or hold 1995 95 Brilliant fruit; ripe, complex, intense, balanced -- Drink or hold 1994 96 Dark, rich, intense, complex; classy -- Drink or hold 1993 88 Fruity, complex, fine balance-- Drink or hold 1992 93 Very ripe, opulent and complex -- Drink or hold 1991 92 Ripe, elegant, complex -- Drink or hold 1990 93 Rich, complex and concentrated-- Drink or hold 1989 82 Huge crop; uneven quality, tannic -- Drink 1988 84 Uneven crop; forward-balanced wines-- Drink 1987 92 Bright, rich and complex --Drink 1986 91 Firm, intense, tannic yet age-worthy -- Drink 1985 93 Wonderful balance and harmony -- Drink 1984 88 Ripe, opulent and complex -- Drink 1983 79 Uneven quality, tannic, average -- Drink 1982 82 Tight and firm, but uneven quality -- Drink 1981 85 Ripe, fruity, early-drinking -- Drink 1980 82 Hot harvest; uneven quality -- Drink Vintage Ratings: 95-100, classic; 90-94, outstanding; 80-89, good to very good; 70-79, average; 60-69, below average; 50-59, poor. Drinkability: "Drink" means most of the wines of the vintage are ready to drink; "hold" means most of the age-worthy wines have not fully matured. Zinfandel http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Spectator/Faqs/VarietalsFAQ.html ZINFANDEL (Red) [ZIHN-fan-dell] The origins of this tremendously versatile and popular grape are not known for certain, although it is thought to have come from Southern Italy as a cousin of Primitivo. It is the most widely planted red grape in California (though Australia has also played around with the grape). Much of it is vinified into white Zinfandel, a blush-colored, slightly sweet wine. Real Zinfandel, the red wine, is the quintessential California wine. It has been used for blending with other grapes, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah. It has been made in a claret style, with berry and cherry flavors, mild tannins and pretty oak shadings. It has been made into a full-bodied, ultraripe, intensely flavored and firmly tannic wine designed to age. And it has been made into late-harvest and Port-style wines that feature very ripe, raisiny flavors, alcohol above 15 percent and chewy tannins. Zinfandel's popularity among consumers fluctuates. In the 1990s Zinfandel is enjoying another groundswell of popularity, as winemakers took renewed interest, focusing on higher-quality vineyards in areas well suited to Zinfandel. Styles aimed more for the mainstream and less for extremes, emphasizing the grape's zesty, spicy pepper, raspberry, cherry, wild berry and plum flavors, and its complex range of tar, earth and leather notes. Zinfandel lends itself to blending. Zinfandel is a challenging grape to grow: its berry size varies significantly within a bunch, which leads to uneven ripening. Because of that, Zinfandel often needs to hang on the vine longer to ripen as many berries as possible. Closer attention to viticulture and an appreciation for older vines, which tend to produce smaller crops of uniformly higher quality, account for better balanced wines. --Excerpted from James Laube's book "California Wine," with some additions by James Molesworth -- ------------------------------ * * Dr. James Lee Ellingson, Adjunct Professor jellings(a)me.umn.edu * * University of Minnesota, tel: 651/645-0753 fax 651 XXX XXXX * * Great Lakes Brewing News, 1569 Laurel Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104 * ----- End forwarded message ----- -- ------------------------------ * * Dr. James Lee Ellingson, Adjunct Professor jellings(a)me.umn.edu * * University of Minnesota, tel: 651/645-0753 fax 651 XXX XXXX * * Great Lakes Brewing News, 1569 Laurel Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104 *