Greetings, Had a very nice time at the Auriga. If you haven't been there post-remodel, you really should go. Very nice place, food. Bob's Extra-Vin-Zin-ganza, Ertravigan-zin, Whatever! Zins and Ribs at Bobs Thursday, 21 July 2005 6:30 Primitivo Bob Kyllingstad's Party Room and 14th Story Wine Cellar Closer to Heaven, Further from the Street. 121 Washington Ave 612-672-0607 Party room is 315 Security code is 018. Ribfest has moved to St. Paul, so we'll be doing our own thing. 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. Bob Betsy Pulled Pork Dave K? Dave T Lori Ted/Carman Ted's Ribs Ruth Greggory Bill S Annette Jim/Louise Salad, Bread Nicolai Karin Brian Malley Ribs Here are the Zin notes from a year ago. 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 *