The Zinfandel thread

[sagittariusdrake]

Hi All
This is the third time I've tried to post here (#*!@^^*! browser).
I was introduced to Zin by a mate 20-odd years ago who grew them on the Adelaide plains. Instantly captivated! Tangy & fleshy, great burst of flavour.
But as Vinodiversity pointed out - it can be a bit of a ratbag in the vineyard with a propensity to be green, jammy or chicken & egg unless the year is just so ...

As to the list provided, Kangarilla Rd Primitivo is reliably good & well-priced, I seem to recall the Cape Mentelle as being a bit pricey.
But go for the Warrabilla Parolas Zin - it is superb ... post1447058 yes 17%! Still available $35 - $37.

I've also tried the odd one via Dans from the USA. Not having gone for top shelf, what I've tried have been under the thrall of Parker - overextracted, over-wooded, over-ripe, over-priced. And the lower priced Primitivos from Italy tend to be a bit flat & underwhelming. The search continues ...

 

[andye]

I tend to find Italian Primitivos less fruit-driven than American Zinfandels. Maybe I'm influenced by the name

 

[cove]

Which Russian River Zin then??

 

[Pantsoff]

Which Russian River Zin then??

We lived in Sonoma County for several years and I loved the local Zins. Two of my favourite wineries were Seghesio (just outside Healdsburg - great little town) and Sausal (nearby Alexander Valley). There are dozens of Zins made in this region as well as Pinot Noir.

There are also a lot (some very good) of Zins from Amador and Lodi Counties.

 

[RooFlyer]

Which Russian River Zin then??

Carlisle for me! I was given a bottle many years ago and was hooked. There are several lines .. I don't think I've tried one I didn't like! (Mainly buy when I'm staying in Canada and have access to a great wine shop in Calgary.)

 

[carwashhair]

Forgive me lord, for I have Zin-ned......

Vinomofo with a Margaret River Zinfandel https://vinomofo.com/wines/red-wine/black-market-deal-zinfandel-2014

And in my limited experience of Zinfandel, I really enjoy Apollonio's Valle Cupa Primitivo from Puglia. Around about $35 from Amatos in Leichhardt. Acutally, it's not a straight Primitivo - has 50% negroamaro blended in.

 

[ste667]

Vinomofo with a Margaret River Zinfandel https://vinomofo.com/wines/red-wine/black-market-deal-zinfandel-2014

Thanks for the link. Looks like Churchview I think?

Shop Online

 

[Whining&dining]

Yep it is/was the Churchview and I would have partaken of another dozen if my itchy trigger finger hadn't already shot too many cases out of the VM firmament! I still have a couple of bottles left and absolutely loved it, the alcohol content (16.5%) isn't borne out on the palate which is a tad scary-far too easy to throw down the little red lane....

 

[ste667]

Yep it is/was the Churchview and I would have partaken of another dozen if my itchy trigger finger hadn't already shot too many cases out of the VM firmament! I still have a couple of bottles left and absolutely loved it, the alcohol content (16.5%) isn't borne out on the palate which is a tad scary-far too easy to throw down the little red lane....

Had my first the other weekend and really enjoyed it. Definitely belied its alcoholic nature, much like myself

 

[ste667]

Something else just occurred to me.. does Zinfandel age particularly well?

 

[Dr Ralph]

Something else just occurred to me.. does Zinfandel age particularly well?

Like all wines, this varies.

But 10 years is expected/normal.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Something else just occurred to me.. does Zinfandel age particularly well?

Generally, no.

Here's some general guidelines:
Vintage and Aging Chart brought to you by The Personal Wine Curator wine cellar software for PC and Mac
How Long to Cellar Wine (infographic)

Obviously varies depending on the quality of the wine, whether the winemaker intended it to be drunk-now or drink later etc.

 

[beefarmer]

Something else just occurred to me.. does Zinfandel age particularly well?

in the case of this Churchview, the Churchview view viewed from a longevity perspective easily gives it till 2024-2028. Will we still be around by then or just larry hagman hangeronerers. Derryn hinch as well for that matter. Lucky guys.

 

[ste667]

Generally, no.

Here's some general guidelines:
Vintage and Aging Chart brought to you by The Personal Wine Curator wine cellar software for PC and Mac
How Long to Cellar Wine (infographic)

Obviously varies depending on the quality of the wine, whether the winemaker intended it to be drunk-now or drink later etc.

Thanks for the link, interesting stuff.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Some great evidence here of the life of Zinfandel from the latest Jeremy Oliver Wine Annual:

Cape Mentelle Zinfandel
Vintage Cellaring window
2013 2025-2033
2012 2032-2042
2011 2031-2041
2010 2022-2030
2009 2021-2029
2008 2020-2028

 

[cove]

Wow Dr Ralph we would all need to check out our "use by dates" if we start cellaring the good stuff out that far.

 

[carwashhair]

Picked up three bottles of a Californian Zinfandel @ $11ea on BWS clearance https://www.danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_364249/kendall-jackson-vintner-s-reserve-zinfandel

Anyone with any experience or preference for Californian expressions? A couple of people have said they're on the softer, Merlot end of things, which is a slight concern... At any rate, plan to give one or two to a mate moving home to Oz soon with his Californian wife, after nearly a decade in San Diego.

 

[The Warlock]

Picked up three bottles of a Californian Zinfandel @ $11ea on BWS clearance https://www.danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_364249/kendall-jackson-vintner-s-reserve-zinfandel

Anyone with any experience or preference for Californian expressions? A couple of people have said they're on the softer, Merlot end of things, which is a slight concern... At any rate, plan to give one or two to a mate moving home to Oz soon with his Californian wife, after nearly a decade in San Diego.

Haselgrove Twist Primitivo 2013 - JH95 ...is very good.
Available here for $22.50 a bottle in a 12 pack https://www.wineboss.com.au/Order.aspx?ref=w33&iref=4p7f&wsrc=ucf

I'd say that's pretty good value.

 

[ste667]

Finally got some 2012 Cape Mentelle Zinfandel for $30pb delivered from the Langton's auctions, so looking forward to trying it again.

Seems to be a decent amount of stock through the auctions if anyone is interested. Looks like it might go for a bit less this time round.

https://www.langtons.com.au/search?p=1&query=mentelle zinfandel&sortTerm=Popular&sortAsc=true

 

[poochio]

Seems to be a decent amount of stock through the auctions if anyone is interested. Looks like it might go for a bit less this time round.

Probably not anymore