zinfandel Ballentine, Block 9, Napa Valley, Estate Grown - 2002
Rich, ripe and showy. Great structure, with firm tannins.
Full-bodied. Aromas and flavors of raspberry and vanilla.
$55
Cosentino, Cigarzin, American Canyon - 2005
Pomegranate, rhubarb, red cherries, and cream flavors come
in a concentrated style with spicy notes. Pomegranate, rhubarb,
red cherries, and cream flavors in a concentrated style with
spicy notes. This wine is deep purple in color, highly aromatic
and intensely flavored. $50
Grgich Hills, Napa Valley - 2005
This wine is deep purple in color, highly aromatic and intensely
flavored. $52
Highlands, Napa Valley - 2001
Flavors of raspberry, cooked strawberry, and a dash of cocoa powder aromas rise out of your glass. It is rich across the palate and pairs well with a wide variety of dishes. $55
Midnight Estate, Paso Robles - 2005
Purple ruby color with a nice fruity nose of berries, spice,
pepper. good mouthfeel, juicy fruit flavors are well balanced
with hints of oak and ripe tannins. $50
Papapietro Perry, Russian River Valley - 2004
On the palate it presents ripe fruit up front and further pleases
with elegance and nicely integrated tannins. The refined spicy
finish lingers pleasantly, beckoning you to take your next
sip. $95
Peter Franus, Napa Valley - 2003
Creamy cinnamon, white pepper notes, rose petal and sweet vanilla overtones lead you in to an extravaganza of cassis, boysenberry, and blueberry jam. $72
Ravenswood, Teldeschi Vineyard, Sonoma - 2003
Attractive ripe cherry and blackcurrant fruit, backed by a huge tannic structure and a touch of oak. $77
Renwood, Grandmere, Estate, Amador - 2004
Attractive fruity, spicy nose with a bit of an acid lift. Lush, sweet, ripe fruit on the palate with good concentration. $52
Rosenblum Cellars, Lyons Reserve,
Napa - 2004
Sweet and ever so slightly smoky with hints of chocolate, vanilla and bacon joining scents of ripe berries in its nose, this big and absolutely mouthfilling wine is all about ripeness on the palate. $85
Storybook, Eastern Exposure, Napa Valley - 2003
Powerful, dark, sustaining the bittersweet chocolate richness until the black fruit and spice open up towards the finish. $81
Tofanelli, Napa Valley - 2003
From the sandy soils of Contra Costa, the well-made Zinfandel
reveals plenty of fruit, power, and richness. It should turn
out to be outstanding once it has been bottled. $80
Turley, Duarte, Contra Costa County - 2005
From the sandy soils of Contra Costa, the well-made Zinfandel reveals plenty of fruit, power, and richness. It should turn out to be outstanding once it has been bottled. $90
Turley, Howell Mountain, Saint Helena - 2005
Displaying crisp acidity along with blue fruit, forest floor, pepper, and mossy elements, it possesses more density, richness, glycerin, and body than most 2005s. $100
Turley, Juvenile, Templeton - 2005
Nose of sweet kirsch, pepper, and spice is accompanied by an excellent attack, but the wine is medium-bodied, tart, light, and elegant. $110
Turley, Pesenti, Paso Robles - 2005
The 2005 Zinfandel Pesenti Vineyard could pass for a Grenache-based southern Rhone with its striking minerality, pepper and kirsch liqueur-like notes. $130
Ty Caton, Sonoma County - 2003
A well-balanced Zinfandel, this wine shows aromas of sweet, bright cherries that lead to mild spice and pepper in the mouth. This is a crisp wine that leaves a velvety, bright fruit finish. $60
Woodenhead Vineyards, Alexander Valley - 2004
Mouthfuls of huckleberry, perhaps huckleberry pie, white pepper, a hint of chocolate and toastiness. Rich, juicy, moderate tannin, long finish. Only 182 cases produced. $75
Woodenhead Unfiltered, Forestville - 2004
Dark ruby in the glass. A forward bouquet of brandied black cherries and spices. Mouthful of cherries, black cherries and more cherries, maybe even black raspberry; fruit galore, mouth-filling, decadent and voluptuous. Finishes long with toasty oak, exotic spices and chocolate liqueur. $65
