kpak  
Alaska
Wine Bottler
Posts: 3031
 | | 02-19-2008 05:35 PM |
| A friend has asked me for advice on buying Zinfandel under $20-25. Not really a big varietal in my collection, so I'm reaching out for help...  and search isn't working again. TIA ps - They like it fairly peppery. | | | In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is
.ps - friends don't let friends eat farmed salmon. |
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tanglenet
Oakland, California
Wine Bottler
Posts: 3267
| | 02-19-2008 06:49 PM |
| I think Rosenblum Cellars has pretty good distribution. They were also just acquired by one of the big guys (forgot who) so I'm sure it will improve over whatever they had before. They make a ton of zin at all different price points.
I don't suppose your friends are ever in the Bay Area? They have two tasting rooms, in Healdsburg and in Alameda.
http://www.rosenblumcellars.com | | | TN posted on Cellartracker"
I drink no more than a sponge." François Rabelais | |
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Elkiholic
New Hampshire
Grape Fermenter
Posts: 467
| | 02-19-2008 07:35 PM |
| | I've been drinking Gnarly Head Old Vines that registers in around $15. Fine wine. Not as big and jammy as some of the others, but certainly had a nice pepper influence. | | Mike Coutu
Addicted to Wine | |
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Eric White
San Ramon, CA
Advanced Sommelier
Posts: 9432
| | 02-19-2008 08:36 PM |
| | Neal | | | 2008: the end of an error | |
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Vine
Milwaukee, WI
Grape Puncher
Posts: 823
| | 02-20-2008 12:52 AM |
| Dashe - Kind of in between the jammy (Rosenblum) and structured (Ridge) styles
Edmeades - more elegant but still has prominent fruit
Starry Night - stylistically all across the board, and IMHO they always release very interesting wines
Seghesio - once again, a more elegant style
Of course I'll also second the Rosenblum suggestion...
And funny name or not, I've been told by more than a few people that "Seven Deadly Zins" is actually pretty good...just haven't tried it for myself yet.
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Drew
Sammamish, WA
Wine Bottler
Posts: 3233
| | 02-20-2008 04:56 AM |
| | I'd second Seghesio for the QPR. Aren't some of the Ridge zins in that range? | | | |
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Budman
Philly Suburbs
VinoCellar.com Extraordinaire
Posts: 23638
| | 02-20-2008 08:57 AM |
| | Ridge Lytton Springs is usually accessable for under $30. | | | |
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J cocktosten
Grape Fermenter
Posts: 518
| | 02-20-2008 08:59 AM |
| If available Carlisle or Neal are good bets -
Many of the Ridge offerings fit the bill and the Hartford base can be found in that price range sometimes -
harder to find but Dover Canyon, Nadeau or Opolo from paso would fit the bill | | | |
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Doc
London, UK
Grape Puncher
Posts: 741
| | 02-20-2008 03:37 PM |
| Seghesio Dhaval | | | |
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love_cab_chard
Master of Wine
Posts: 12605
| | 02-21-2008 09:20 AM |
| Neal
Sandler
Rancho Zabacco (sp?) | | | |
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PlanoWino
Plano, TX
Grape Stomper
Posts: 181
| | 02-22-2008 02:10 PM |
| | Seghesio would be my choice too | | Here's to the corkscrew - a useful key to unlock the storehouse of wit, the treasury of laughter, the front door of fellowship, and the gate of pleasant folly.
W.E.P. French | |
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Winoman
Herndon VA
Grape Sorter
Posts: 391
| | 02-22-2008 06:47 PM |
| Another for Seghesio. One of the best QPR wines available IMO. I would also recommened Cline, 4 Vines and also Rosenblum. | | | |
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Budman
Philly Suburbs
VinoCellar.com Extraordinaire
Posts: 23638
| | 02-23-2008 10:44 AM |
| | Barlow, Neal, and Carlisle | | | |
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NorCalVinoLover
Barrel Sampler
Posts: 2202
| | 02-23-2008 11:19 AM |
| Michael David's 7 Deadly Zin's is always quite popular in that price range. | | | |
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kpak
Alaska
Wine Bottler
Posts: 3031
| | 02-23-2008 01:23 PM |
| Thanks alot. I'll pass on the suggestions. Reminds me to pull a bottle of Neal Zin for myself! | | | In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is
.ps - friends don't let friends eat farmed salmon. | |
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juggernt
Tampa, FL, USA
Wine Bottler
Posts: 3464
| | 02-26-2008 10:55 AM |
| | Another for Seghesio. Plungerhead isn't *terrible* for $15. | | | Visit The Butcher Block at http://www.butcherblocktampa.com/ | |
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Vitis Vinifera
Grape Fermenter
Posts: 612
| | 03-04-2008 11:45 PM |
| | Rosenblum used to be one of my go-to's for qpr Zins, but in the last few years they've been moving themselves out of that tier and into a much larger and competitive one. | | | |
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saut
Barrel Filler
Posts: 1031
| | 03-05-2008 12:35 AM |
| | Carlisle is the obvious choice. All wines are well made. 04 and 05 were rough vintages, and I've had mixed results, but the producers above are solid. Just enjoyed an Owen Roe tonight. Nice... | | | |
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juggernt
Tampa, FL, USA
Wine Bottler
Posts: 3464
| | 03-09-2008 12:41 PM |
| | Vitis...agreed. They're still very good, but definitely less of a bargain. | | | Visit The Butcher Block at http://www.butcherblocktampa.com/ | |
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