2012 Saxum Paderewski Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Usually, I like to let Saxum's age more, but this one is 45% Zinfandel, so we popped the cork. Good move. Also it has 36% Mourvedre, 12% Tempranillo and 7% Petite Sirah. Weighs in at just under 16% ABV. Inky purple in color. The nose is big with black cherries, plums, black raspberries, some earthiness and spice. On the palate, there is no heat. Juicy black cherries, and black raspberries. Some underlying char. Long finish. This is delicious but will be a tough food match. Maybe some BBQ with spicy sauce? It will be interesting to see how this ages. I suspect the Zin fades and the other fruits, especially the Petite comes out more. In any event, this should have ten to fifteen more years.

Grade:

Score:

Vintage:

2012

Current Price:

$107.00USD

America’s Best Rhone Style Red Wines: 11th Annual Rhone Rangers Tasting Reviewed

The Rhone Report: About Rhone and Rhone-Style Wines and Winemakers is part of an ongoing series. Last month we discussed the white Rhone style wines offered at the 2008 Rhone Rangers tasting event at Fort Mason in San Francisco on March 18. This month we turn to the reds, of which we tasted 50. Among those we tasted were some old favorites and some wineries or bottlings with which we were not yet familiar. We don’t pretend that we tasted a representative group of wines, because our sample was skewed to wines we have loved in the past and others about which we have heard positive comments.

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2008 Hospice du Rhone Events: Highs & Lows of American Rhone-style Wines Tasted

The Rhone Report: About Rhone and Rhone-Style Wines and Winemakers is part of an ongoing series. The 16th annual Hospice du Rhone events in Paso Robles, California from May 1 to 3, 2008 was an opportunity to consider Rhone-style wines from a fresh perspective. Unlike most tasting opportunities, these events included Rhone-style wines from the Rhone Valley itself (51 wineries), elsewhere in France (4 wineries) as well as from Spain (4 wineries), Australia (17 wineries), South Africa (6 wineries), Chile (2 wineries), Argentina (1 winery) and the United States. The American wines were mostly from California (144 wineries), but a few examples from Arizona (2 wineries) and Washington State (5 wineries) were also included. While this is a California-dominated event, and while many of the Rhone Valley’s best producers aren’t represented, there is still sufficient European and other entries to make for interesting comparisons and contrasts. The events included two general tastings and a series of focused seminars.

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Top Ten California Zinfandels - 2016

I tend to taste and drink a lot of wine over the course of a year. I am in a few tasting groups, sometimes the wines are consumed at various local wine store tastings and a number drunk with friends and family.

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2013 Saxum Paderewski Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage:

2013

Score:

Grade:

A+

Current Price:

$130.00USD

Normally, its better to let Saxum's wait ten years from vintage to really get the best but the Paderewski is a different animal. It is 34% Mourvedre, 33% Zinfandel, 13% Petite Sirah, 12% Syrah and 8% Tempranillo. Because of that it changes as it ages with the Zin showing more in its youth and fading a bit back with time. This bottle was beautiful. Purple in color. The nose is deep and intoxicating with black cherries, roasted meats, leather, black raspberries, black pepper and cherries. On the palate, this has a lush chewy texture. Delicious. Lots of fruit right now with black cherr

Napa Valley Wineries with the Best Zinfandel

Napa Valley Zinfandels are celebrated for their easy drinking allure and bold juicy flavors making this varietal a total crowd pleaser. Zinfandels made in the Napa Valley are iconic, although some may say a little forgotten, however, it’s a flavor profile known for intense black fruits and spice which render Napa Valley Zinfandels as the most epically jammy varietal produced. The Napa Valley’s warm California climate is fundamental to winemaking and Napa Valley Zinfandels are a great example of how winemakers utilize that heat, skillfully harnessing the temperatures to produce some of the most intense wine the Napa Valley has to offer. Zinfandels crafted in the Napa Valley region, especially old vine Zinfandels, have exploding flavors that ripen outrageously giving life to wines that create an exceptional food and wine experience. When you find a way to always have excellent Napa Valley Zinfandel around it’s sure to illuminate any meal because Napa Valley Zinfandel is, more than anything else, a food pairing wine. These Napa Valley wineries with the best Zinfandel are recommendations specifically known for their outstanding, award-winning Zinfandel.

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2012 Saxum Paderewski Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Food and Wine Pairing Tool

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2013 Saxum Paderewski Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Napa Valley Wineries with the Best Zinfandel