2019 Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel Noma Vineyard, USAA, California, Lodi, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
84
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$39.00USD

Not sure if this was an off bottle or in a bad place right now, but this was the groups and mine last place bottle in a recent tasting of Lodi Zins.  Very disappointing.  I do have another bottle and will revisit at some point to update this note.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has cherry cough syrup with mint and a green tomato streak.  On the palate, the texture is nice with medium tannins but the fruit is light and the green tomato streak dominates.  Some black cherry fruit comes out at the end along with a lot of heat and cough syrup.  Not sure what is going on here.  Drinkable I suppos

2018 Mettler Family Vineyards Zinfandel Old Vine Epicenter, USA, California, Lodi, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

Deep garnet in color. The nose takes twenty minutes to open and then shows black cherries, raspberries and spice.  Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Nice black cherry fruit on the palate.  Some vanilla.  The finish builds but it does have some heat.  Leaning toward the bigger side of Lodi Zin but not all the way there.  Very pleasant.  This should be consumed in the next five years.  A nice wine with a burger or comfort food like mac and cheese.  

2017 Michael-David Vineyards Zinfandel Earthquake, USA, California, Lodi, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$22.00USD

In a recent tasting of Lodi Zin, i was glad to see this was in the mix.  It seems every time I try this in a blind tasting it finishes at or near the top and this was no exception.  Mine and the groups number one wine.  It has great value and really is a top notch wine in the big, brawny filled with fruit category of Zins.  Inky purple in color.  The nose was a bit funky/dusty at first but with air opened to show black raspberries, plums, coffee and cedar.  On the palate, this is full bodied.  No noticeable tannins.  A lovely full bodied texture with juicy black raspberry fruit.  Also some

2017 Alquimista Cellars Zinfandel Jessie's Grove Ancient Vine, USA, California, Lodi, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

My first time getting the opportunity to try this winery.  Ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  This is a blend of Zinfandel, Carignan, Flame Tokay, Black Prince and Mission grapes from vines as old as 130 years.  Very interesting.  The nose is interesting with plums, cherries and baking spices.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, slight tannins.  Black cherry fruit.  This is not a big wine but it is quite concentrated.  It did get better with air and an hour in a decanter would likely improve it.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  More in the claret style of Zin.  This would work w

2019 Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel Schmiedt Road, USA, California, Lodi, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$39.00USD

Tasted with a bunch of Lodi Zins.  Garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, and some herbal notes.  A little coffee with air.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, black raspberry fruit.  Nice mouthfeel.  Medium tannins.  Cough syrup on the warm finish.  Overall a nice Lodi Zin that is neither a bomb nor on the elegant side.  Easy drinking.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  This will work better with food, perhaps a burger or ribs off the grill.  

2019 Turley Zinfandel White Zinfandel California, USA, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
85
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

My first time trying this.  I suspect that many who do give it the benefit of the doubt due to the name.  Tasted blind, I was unimpressed.  It's fine enough but mothing more.  Pink/copper in color, clear and bright.  The nose has strawberries with a slight decomposing fruit note.  On the palate, this is think, light bodied with a slight strawberry notes.  Dry.  Slight tartness on the finish.  12% abv.  This probably should be consumed over the next year.  It will work better with food and would work with almost any food although the tartness might be an issue for a steak.  

2016 Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Materium, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$275.00USD

One of my favorite wines anywhere.  I suppose at some time, this will be out of my price range, but for now, I always buy.  This seems to be a bit tighter than the 2015 at a similar stage but will no doubt someday flirt with a 100 point score.  Purple in color, opaque and shimmering bright.  The nose, after an hour or so of air, show cassis, coffee grounds, slight chocolate and spice.  Full bodied.  What a wonderful, almost seamless texture.  On the palate, cassis, blueberries, dark chocolate with underlying roasted herbs.  Maybe some floral qualities too.  Long finish.  This is deep and co

2015 Andremily Syrah No. 4, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$130.00USD

One of my favorite Syrahs in the world right now.  A blend of 90% Syrah, 6% Viognier, and 4% Mourvèdre.  These are big Syrahs that need a lot of time (depending how you like them) to hit peak.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black leather, roasted meats and herbs, and slight floral notes.  Full bodied.  Exuberant.  On the palate, black raspberries, blueberries, with underlying smoke and pepper.  Great texture.  Long finish.  This needs another five to seven years until peak and should be good for another ten to twelve after that.  It is delicious n

2018 Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is a blend of 40% Syrah, 22% Grenache, 21% Mourvedre, 3% Counoise, and 3% Terret Noir checking in at 13% abv.  Screw capped.  This is a nice value play in easy to drink, Cal Rhone styled wines.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, black cherries, slight pepper and an herbal note (chervil?).  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this drinks easy.  Little tannins.  Nice black cherry fruit with a touch of black pepper.  Good acidity.  Moderate finish.  This will work well with most meats, fowl or veggies.  Drink over the next five to seven years.

2016 Quinta da Foz Douro Reserva, Portugal, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

And, yet another great value in red table wine from the Douro in Portugal.  This is a field blend using vines over one hundred years old.  Deep garnet/ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has plums, boysenberries, slight chocolate and char.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, this has boysenberry fruit with some underlying smoke/char.  Good balance.  This drinks great on its own and will work well with all but the lightest foods.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  

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