2016 Mauritson Dry Creek Vineyard Zinfandel

2016 Mauritson Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

with No Comment $30 and underDry Creek ValleyKevin VogtSonomaUncategorizedUSAZinfandel

MAURITSON 2016 Mauritson Dry Creek Vineyard Zinfandel

2016 ZINFANDEL
DRY CREEK VALLEY

 
When asked why I love Zinfandel so much, the answer is simple…  Although the grape allegedly originated in Croatia, Zinfandel thrives in California and nobody produces better Zin than California, period.  One of the best illustrations of classic California Zinfandel is Mauritson’s Dry Creek Valley.  With perfectly balanced, expressive, inviting fruit, the 2016 escapes from the glass with floral infused raspberry, black cherry, baking spices and incense.  With substantial vineyard holdings in Sonoma’s iconic Rockpile AVA, the Mauritson’s were influential in helping Rockpile become an AVA in 2002.  The family has been farming for more than 140 years, and at around forty bucks, their Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel completes with the best of the best… At $29.99/btl, it’s a steal…
 
A blend of Block 5, Rockpile Ridge, Madrone Spring and Cemetery vineyards, the 2016 perfectly expresses Dry Creek Valley terroir, emphasized by the gravelly nuance, firm tannins and a rich mouthfeel.  Peeling back layers of boysenberry, black raspberry and plum reveals wild flowers, truffle, and cracked pepper.  Our veteran tasting panel unanimously agreed that this wine drinks well beyond it’s modest price. Don’t wait too long to secure yours.
 
MAURITSON
2016 ZINFANDEL
DRY CREEK VALLEY
Retails at:  $39.00/btl
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl

Click to Order

YOU SAVE 23%
 
Winery Notes: “Perfumed aromas of black boysenberry cobbler with graham cracker crust waft from the glass. Hints of anise, fresh fig, and earthiness beautifully complement the fruit profile. The entry is full but inviting, exhibiting flavors of mocha, wet gravel, and black cherry. The mouthfeel is seamless from start to finish, indicative of perfectly integrated tannin and acid. Please enjoy this wine for the next 7-10 years.”
 
Customers that enjoy Mauritson Zinfandel, may also enjoy these two terrific Zins…
2016 Gamba Family Ranches Zinfandel 2013 Valdez St Peter's Church Zinfandel
GAMBA
2016 ZINFANDEL
FAMILY RANCHES
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 
Your Price: Insiders Club Members Only

Click to Order

 
Winery Notes: “... a bold, well structured wine with an aromatic nose of ripe berries, brown spice, and black licorice. The color is a beautiful and vibrant dark crimson. The wine is deftly balanced, with flavors that burst on the palate, offering well defined dark cherry, raspberry and blueberry that give way to dark chocolate, spicy pepper and a hint of nutty oak. The frame is firm yet round without harsh edges, with an appealing, weighty, yet buoyant mid palate, and a refreshing lift on the lengthy, enjoyable, toasty finish.”
VALDEZ
2013 ZINFANDEL
ST. PETER’S CHURCH
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 
Your Price: Insiders Club Members Only

Click to Order

 
Tasting Notes: “This impeccably balanced zinfandel flaunts energizing flavors and aromas of ripe black cherries, concentrated pomegranate, and crushed blackberries with hints of white rose petals, cocoa powder and pipe tobacco. The perfect balance shines through with an amazing brightness that elegantly supports the richly focused flavors.  Simply stunning!”  94 Points

2016 Gamba Family Ranches Zinfandel

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtRussian River ValleySonomaUncategorizedUSAZinfandel

GAMBA

2016 ZINFANDEL
FAMILY RANCHES

 
Throughout my career I’ve offered some truly memorable wines that have developed amazing followings, but only a handful have inspired the kind of love affair that Gamba has.  After Robert Parker’s latest visit to the winery, he alerted readers, “… Gamba’s name is going to have to be included with some of the stars of Sonoma, such as Hartford Court, Carlisle, Bedrock and even the superstar Turley over in Napa.” Absolutely bursting at the seams with magnificent levels of jammy black raspberries and briary red fruits, Gus Gamba’s new 2016 Family Ranches could be the poster child for Gus Gamba’s Zinfandel.  They’re always charming and hedonistic, with stunning opulence and full of extracted detail.  At this price, their 2016 Family Ranches should not be missed.
 
Designed from a unique correlation of estate and neighboring vineyards, as well as merging young and old vines, the Family Ranches bottling creates a lush, fruit-forward Zin that’s laced with compelling depth and precision.  Many of my Zin loving clients have proclaimed that Gamba Zin is The BEST wine in the world, and if you love elaborately flavored, delicious Zinfandel decadence, you’ll want to grab a case of Gamba’s Family Ranches while you still can.
 
GAMBA
2016 ZINFANDEL
FAMILY RANCHES
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 
 
Winery Notes: “The 2016 Family Ranches Zinfandel is a bold, well structured wine with an aromatic nose of ripe berries, brown spice, and black licorice. The color is a beautiful and vibrant dark crimson. The wine is deftly balanced, with flavors that burst on the palate, offering well defined dark cherry, raspberry and blueberry that give way to dark chocolate, spicy pepper and a hint of nutty oak. The frame is firm yet round without harsh edges, with an appealing, weighty, yet buoyant mid palate, and a refreshing lift on the lengthy, enjoyable, toasty finish.”
 
Customers that enjoy Gamba’s Family Ranches Zinfandel, may also enjoy these two terrific Zins…
2016 Gamba Starr Road Ranch Zinfandel
 2013 Valdez St Peter's Church Alexander Valley Zinfandel
GAMBA
2016 ZINFANDEL
STARR ROAD RANCH
Retails at:  $52.00/btl
 

Click to Order

 
Winery Notes: “... offers hints of dried raspberry, blueberry compote, herbs, and candied plum on the nose. Dark and alluring in color, and the palate is bold yet well-integrated, with a velvety texture and weighty, yet graceful structure. Fully ripe, this Zin showcases knockout layers of mouth filling blackberry cobbler, herb and leather on the palate. This sumptuous wine embraces concentration and velvety richness. Robust, it finishes dusted in allspice, and cinnamon toast.”
VALDEZ
2013 ZINFANDEL
ST. PETER’S CHURCH
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 

Click to Order

 
Tasting Notes: “This impeccably balanced zinfandel flaunts energizing flavors and aromas of ripe black cherries, concentrated pomegranate, and crushed blackberries with hints of white rose petals, cocoa powder and pipe tobacco. The perfect balance shines through with an amazing brightness that elegantly supports the richly focused flavors.  Simply stunning!”
94 Points, Kevin M. Vogt, Master Sommelier