Ridge Paso Robles Zinfandel 2007

Another of the three Ridge Zinfandels I've tried, the Paso Robles is stout, rugged, yet refined, but not quite as nice as Lytton Springs. This bottle is also made from the Dusi Ranch grapes (see also Ridge Dusi Ranch, reviewed in September) and retains the strength of all wines I've tried from the region.

The nose contains dark earth, raisins, and wild red fruits. Black pepper is noticeable upon first sip, telling you that this is a large zin with much character. But the sometimes overzealous sting of zin is absent here. It's a zin alright, but not overly so.

It's fruity and juicy like an overripe plum. I don't get the long long finish that some of my favorite zins deliver, but this one is still an overall delight. Ridge's finest offerings are nearly impossible to obtain outside of the vineyard, so revel in this one.

T-Scale 90. Available and affordable at $25.00. Probably could use another year or two in the bottle for best showing, but no slouch now.

Conn Creek Limited Release Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Looking for a complete cab at a good price? This is one to consider.

"Plums, coffee and wood spice aromas are nicely integrated. Mocha chocolate flavors and a lively, dried cranberry mid-palate lead to a bright cherry lingering finish." — Mike McGrath, Winemaker

Yeah, I agree. Coffee is very evident in the nose which is unexpected, but welcomed. Dark fruits come alive with a little air and time. Allow this to air out a little bit before consuming. Venturi or decant and you will get rewarded with a whole different wine.

By now I know you aren't chilling your reds. Pinot might benefit from cooler temps, but cabs generally don't. Let this one sit at room temp or make it slightly cool, but not overly so. Also use a red bowl glass as it allows more air to find its way into the transformation from tight bottle to full big expression of this large full-bodied cab.

Composition: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 4% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot - which makes this a true California Meritage blend.

T-Scale - 92. Very good cab blend at a very good price - $25.00 or so. One of the nicest cabs in this price range. If you are looking for an entry level Napa Valley cab experience, try this one. Plenty of more expensive cabs from Napa don't measure up to this one.

Valley of the Moon pinot blanc

In my quest for a great white wine (which is not chardonnay) I found this one. First recommended by my local aficionado at the wine shop, I've grown to really appreciate this off-dry white.

Some of you will recognize pinot blanc as an Alsacian or German varietal better known as Weißburgunder. Here in the US, it is uncommon to find it as we tend to drink more chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and pinot gris. But this has a lot of strength for a white, having more nose and complexity than most others.

I found this likes to be a bit warmer than other whites. As it warmed in my glass, notes of grassy citrus evolved. Tastes changed too starting lemony, perhaps even nutmeggish (according to Christina), but ending with smokie cheeses - parmigiano reggiano and Irish cheddar.

I wish it ended longer, but overall, a real delight. I visited Valley of the Moon in Sonoma and found their house very polished and friendly. Even though they offer the full gamut of Northern California wines, this is their best offering.

T-Scale - 90+. Price is nice for this one at $13.99 or so. Excellent value! I'd buy a case of this one. This could be another way to get into wine if you are a beer drinker. Watch out though, this one goes down fast. It's that smooth.

Justin Isosceles 2005

On this occasion of my 41st birthday (ugh) my wonderful wife thought enough of me to purchase one of the most fabulous bottles of wine the United States offers the world, Justin Isosceles. I chose the 2005 for tonight's celebration, opting to save my 2006 for another year.

This my friends IS the bottle you should own for now and the future. Pricey ($55.00 or so) but oh so well worth it. I have a bowl of it next to me as I write this. Every five minutes, it releases something new. I can't bring myself to drink it as the nose is changing. I've taken small sips just to see what is evolving.

The blend is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 7% Merlot. They are blended in a magical Bordeaux style the Californians call "Meritage" (say "Mare-a-tij"). Of all I've tried, I must say, Justin does it best. I hate to think that there is a reserve Isosceles at Justin, but it is truly a reserve, only available to club members. Oh my... I have to get my hands on one of those.

Nose: big red current fruits, saddle leather, and the dusty Paso Robles road the vineyard lies upon. The taste yields some of the volcanic soil from which the grape grows. Long long soft tannin finish, deep inky dark flavors which finish in mocha and perhaps vanilla.

Anyway, if you want to spend more money than usual on a big red, do this one. It is much less money than big Rutherford Cabs and large Russian River Pinots but oh so rewarding.

T-scale 94. The 2005 is available locally. Although the 2006 is getting slightly higher ratings from Parker and Enthusiast, I believe it is a bit young so give it until 2011 or so. The 2005 might benefit from another year in the bottle but I'm not patient enough to wait. Drink it now!!!

Brown Estate 2007 Zinfandel

Ok, we bought this because of the name. But, it's good! There's some good zin in Napa County although it's not the big attraction. Brown has a nice piece of land outside of the valley and apparently good things happen there.

Dusty, big dark fruits up front. Bouquet initially tickles the nose, but mellows out with time. Some green tobacco and cherries evolve after the initial alcohol burns off. I tried this guy after opening and it was a bit stiff. I came back three hours later and it was a sweet surprise. Time and air does good things this guy. Also make sure to consume from a larger bowl glass.

Taste the cherry pie and light black pepper. Good solid zin here. After time, this one ranks up with Four Vines Biker and Ridge Lytton Springs, almost.

T-scale 90. Available, but a little pricey at $34.00. Great zin, everything you want in a big forward red in the American style.

Four Vines Old Vine Cuvee zinfandel

Four Vines make one of my favorite zinfandels, Biker. So when I saw the Old Vine Cuvee at the local shop for... $10.99 I was curious.

We visited Four Vines in Paso Robles during our epic trip in August. I got to taste many of their offerings at that time. Since then, I've made "Biker" my house zin. Call the cuvee Biker's little brother.

Cuvee has the big zin pepper and alcohol up front. Big dark red color and feel, but less of the "fruit bomb" one gets from Biker. Long finish, but not sweet. Air and time out of the bottle does good things to cuvee as well. Consider decanting if you chose to open it now.

Overall, super good value at this price. You shall NOT find a better zin for this price. But, I'd invest a few dollars more and get the Biker ($22.00) or perhaps the 7 Deadly Zins from Lodi at $15.99 and get one that's a step up.

T-Scale - 87+

It's a big value at this price and it's available locally. Look for this vineyard from the Central Coast. Four Vines will soon be high priced, so try it now before you have to pay up to saddle up.
See also my review on Biker.