ZAP 2008 Round-up

This year's ZAP grand tasting, put on by the Zinfandel Advocats and Producers at Fort Mason, was a chance to taste the latest releases of mostly 2005's and get a sneak peak at the 2006's from barrel.  2006 is shaping up to be a good year, especially in Dry Creek, Russian River, and Napa. Here are my favorites out of the 100+ that I tasted.

Acorn Winery
2005 Heritage Vines, Alegria Vineyards, Russian River Valley

Adobe Road Wines
2005 Sonoma County

Artezin Wines
2005 Dry Creek Valley - good value

Bella Vineyards & Wine Caves
2005 Big River Ranch, Alexander Valley - highly recommended

Benessere
2005 Black Glass Estate Vineyard, Napa Valley, St. Helena - highly recommended
2006 BK Collins Old-Vines, Napa Valley, St. Helena - recommended

Robert Biale Vineyards
2006 Old Crane Ranch, Napa Valley, St. Helena - recommended

Bradford Mountain Winery
2005 Grist Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley - recommended

Brown Estate Vineyards
2006 Chiles Valley, Napa - nicely perfumed and an improvement over the 2005

Dashe Cellars
2005 Old Vines, Todd Brothers Ranch, Alexander Valley

D-Cubed Cellars
2005 Howell Mountain

Downing Family Vineyards
2005 H&H Vineyard, Fly by Night, Oakville

Hendry
2005 Block 7, Hendry Vineyards, Howell Mountain

Limerick Lane Cellars
2005 Collins, Russian River Valley

Macauley Vineyard
2005 Moss Creek Zinfandel - top marks, highly recommended (also see Moss Creek below)

Mauritson Family Winery
2005 Cemetery Vineyard, Rockpile, Sonoma - grippy but delicious

Moss Creek Winery
2001 Estate - mellow and delicious - try to find this one
2004 Estate Reserve, Wappo Camp Moskowite Ranch, Napa Valley - recommended

Novy Family Wines
2005 Papera Ranch Vineyards, Russian River Valley - full of wild cloves, distinct and delicous

Ottimino
2004 Von Weidlich, Green Valley, Russian River Valley - spicy and gamey - one to look for
2005 Estate, Green Valley, Russian River Valley, extracted but very good

Papapietro Perry
2005 Pauline's Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley - licorice scented and delicous
2005 Elsbree Vineyard, Russian River Valley

Ridge
2006 East Bench
2006 Geyserville
2006 Pagani Ranch - my favorite, tangerine scented!
2006 Old School

Rosenblum Cellars
2005 Monterosso, Sonoma Valley - excellent
2006 Maggie's Reserve

Saddleback Cellars
2005 Old Vine, Frediani Vineyard, Napa Valley - dark and brooding

Saxon Brown Wines
Vertical from 1997 to 2004 (Such a treat at a big tasting!) Look for 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004

Tin Barn Vineyards
2005 Glisson Vineyards, Russian River Valley - one of my favorites of the day: Highly recommended

Tofanelli Family Vineyard
2005 Tofanelli Family Vineyard

Trinitas Cellars
2004 Ancient Vines, Contra Costa County
2004 Old Vine Cuvée -plush and round

Turley Wine Cellars
2006 Hayne Vineyard, Napa Valley - lighter body than most Hayne, but lovely -recommended

Z-52
2005 Truchard Vineyard, Napa Valley - recommended
2004 Clockspring Vineyard, Amador County - very good