We got together with Mark and Laurie Smith and their next door neighbors Tom and Sally for Zinfandel and pork ribs last month, but because of other projects and a brief but troublesome bout with leprosy, I’m only getting them posted now. The eats were succulent, and the wines deserve to be noted, so let’s do it, eh?

As is so often the case, a few whites were tasted first.

2000 Eroica Columbia Valley Riesling, 12% alc.: This pale to medium straw Ch. Ste Michelle-Dr. Loosen collaboration shows nice green apple and pear character, with just a hint of petrol and some pretty floral notes on the nose; in fact, some found it reminiscent of a Viognier. It shows good, if not exactly zippy acidity, and while it’s pleasant and enjoyable, I expected a little more from a wine with the name “Loosen” on the label.

2000 Liparita Napa Sauvignon Blanc, 13.9% alc.: Pale to medium straw, this is notable for a distinctive note of jalapeno over grapefruit and pear on both the nose and palate. It has good acidity, is food friendly, and if it could finish a little longer, it’s still a nice wine overall.

Mystery Wine: Tom presented this dark garnet for our perusal; it shows sweet cedary oak, red currant and raspberry flavors and aromas, that seem to show some maturity, with soft tannins and fruit that isn’t overt. It’s food friendly, and the sweet oak should have been a giveaway that it was Spanish. It turned out to be a 1996 Castillo de Almansa, a blend of Cencibel and Monastrell, weighing in at 13% alcohol.

1997 Lamborn Family Vineyards Napa Zinfandel Howell Mountain “The Team Connection,” 14.5% alc.: This deep dark garnet signaled the fact that we’d moved on to the main event in a big way, with sweet oak, cedar and spicy, peppery raspberry flavors and aromas. The fruit is big, rich and luscious, and there are still some tannins here, along with good acidity and a nice finish. Tom noted “Testor’s Airplane Glue,” then amended that to “No, it’s the dope you put on the wings,” while Kim added an impression of “insecticide.” Both were quick to add that their impressions were meant in a good way, but while I didn’t find any of those, I had to agree completely with Mark when he called this “the epitome of Zinfandel to me.” Excellent stuff.

2000 Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel Old Vines, 15.3%.: Another deep dark garnet, this, and it exudes huge black raspberry and blackberry character that the sweet oak accentuates, but doesn’t overpower. Good tannins and acidity here, with a long finish, wonderful aromatics and flavors to match. Big, lovely Sonoma Zinfandel.

1994 Ravenswood Sonoma Valley Zinfandel Old Hill Ranch, 13.8% alc.: It was most interesting to taste this again after having had it only 3 or 4 weeks before. Dark garnet in color, it shows a nice peppery blackberry and raspberry nose with some sea air. Flavors echo, but this is claret-like in comparison, not being as big or as full on the palate as the previous 2 wines, but it’s enjoyable for just those reasons.

All 3 Zins are drinking well, with the Lamborn clearly being the class of the bunch. Many thanks to Mark and Laurie for yet another great evening of food, wine and friendship!

Reporting from Day-twah,

geo t.

geo t.:

Nice notes, thanks. I will be posting on the Lamborn and the Old Hill from some other vintages soon, once I finish my "week of zinfandels" regiment which has so far stretched into two weeks plus.

CabNut

Thanks, CabNut. We did a tasting of 7 vintages of Old Hill in early September; if you're interested, you can read about it at:
http://www.gangofpour.com/daze/oldhill.html

Good luck with the "regiment," I'll be looking for your notes!

Ciao 4 now,

geo