Cliff's Wine Picks

 

2011 Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel Papera Ranch

2012 Peachy Canyon Zinfandel Incredible Red

2010 Carlisle Zinfandel Martinelli Road Vineyard

2011 Elyse Zinfandel Korte Ranch

2010 Turley Zinfandel Duarte Vineyard

2013 Ridge Zinfandel Paso Robles

2008 Cairdean Vineyards Zinfandel

2009 Turley Zinfandel Duarte Vineyard

 

 

 

2011 Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel Papera Ranch – $37.00

This was Bedrock’s first vintage of this wine that was produced.  The previous vintage would have been their first one but the grapes were lost due to a “heat storm” on August 23 and 24.  The winery’s section of the vineyard has 22 interplanted varieties but the cool growing season meant the other grapes did not ripen so this is 100% Zinfandel.

 

The wine is a bright ruby red color.  The stunning nose has brambly berries, cherries, dark chocolate, dusty minerals, white pepper, dried underbrush, wild flowers and licorice.  This has medium to full body with moderate tannins and very nice acidity.  This is bright and lively on the palate with nice black and red fruit, minerals and white pepper on the front end with underbrush coming in later.  The finish has very nice length with a dried floral note adding interest.  This is just entering a nice drinking window, drink now or over the next couple of years.  (93 pts)

 

 

 

2012 Peachy Canyon Zinfandel Incredible Red – $13.59

The wine is a light to medium ruby red.  The comforting nose has brambly berries, white pepper, warm baking spices, crushed stone minerals, violets and black cherries.  This has a full body with soft to moderate tannins and decent acidity.  On the palate ripe berries, white pepper and crushed stone hit first on the front end with baking spices coming in later.  The finish has decent length with cherries and a floral note adding depth.  This is a fruit driven, fruit forward style of wine that could use a bit more structure.  That said, this is an easy drinking wine to share with friends over a platter of appetizers and conversation.  This wine has 14.1% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with an agglomerated cork.  (87 pts)

 

 

2010 Carlisle Zinfandel Martinelli Road Vineyard – $38.00

The severe heat wave that ruined the Zinfandel harvest in the Russian River Valley in late August some how missed this vineyard.  The grapes did not go unscathed, hence the high alcohol level.  The saving grace was that the acidity levels remained high.

 

The wine is an inky purple color.  The stunning nose has brambly berries, dusty minerals, warm baking spices, licorice, white pepper, loamy earth, dried violets, blueberries and dried leafy herbs.  This has a full body with solid ripe tannins and nice acidity.  On the palate the berries, white pepper and dusty minerals take control immediately, slowly allowing blueberries, baking spices and licorice to slip in on the back end.  The finish is very long and full of layers of flavor.  This is drinking very nicely right now but will improve over the next couple of years.  This is a blockbuster.  This wine has 16.3% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.  (94 pts)

 

 

2011 Elyse Zinfandel Korte Ranch – $15.82

The wine is a deep ruby color.  The inviting nose has brambly berries, baking spices, licorice, dusty minerals, vanilla bean, dry underbrush, black peppercorns and violets.  This has medium to full body with moderate to solid tannins and nice acidity.  On the palate tart brambly berries, baking spices and black pepper quickly take control, grudgingly allowing dusty minerals, vanilla and licorice to slip in on the back end.  The finish has nice length but gets a touch thin.  I think some time in the cellar will help the finish fill out but this is already easy to drink and enjoy.  This wine has 14.4% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.  (91 pts)

 

 

2010 Turley Zinfandel Duarte Vineyard – $32.00

The wine is a deep purple color.  The exhilarating nose has brambly berries, baking spices, dusty minerals, licorice, cherries, eucalyptus, black peppercorns and violets.  This has medium to full body with moderate to solid tannins and nice acidity.  This is bright and lively on the palate with tart berries, baking spices, dusty minerals and black pepper taking control immediately with cherries, licorice and a hint of eucalyptus coming in on the back end.  The finish has nice length with a floral note entering the picture.  This is drinking very nicely and is surprisingly well mannered for a zinfandel with 15.7% alcohol.  The bottle is sealed with a natural cork.  (92 pts)

 

 

2013 Ridge Zinfandel Paso Robles – $27.99

This wine is 100% Zinfandel from the Benito Dusi Ranch in Paso Robles.

 

The wine is a deep maroon color.  The inviting nose has brambly berries, white pepper, crushed stones, dried leafy herbs, licorice and dried flowers.  This has medium to full body with soft to moderate tannins and nice acidity.  On the palate juicy berries, white pepper and crushed stones quickly take over with licorice and dried flowers slipping in on the back end.  The finish has nice length with the white pepper becoming more prominent.  Not a wine to stash away in the cellar.  This is very easy to enjoy even at this young age.  The wine has 14.8% alcohol.  (91 pts)

 

 

2008 Cairdean Vineyards Zinfandel – $13.49

Cairdean Vineyards was rebranded as Brasswood Estate.  Some of the old Cairdean labeled wines are being closed out by Last Bottle Wines, information on the site is below.

 

The wine is ruby red with just a touch of brick at the edge.  The slightly shy nose has cherries, brambly berries, baking spices, eucalyptus, white pepper and a hint of wood smoke.  On the palate berries, tart cherries and spices jump out first with white pepper and eucalyptus coming in on the back end.  The finish has nice length with cherries, baking spices and white pepper carrying the bulk of the load.  Contrary to the 15.2% alcohol on the label, this is not a big and syrupy Zin.  This will last in the cellar through the end of the decade.  (92 pts)

 

 

2009 Turley Zinfandel Duarte Vineyard – $33.24

The wine is a medium to deep ruby red color.  The comforting nose has berries, dry earth, white pepper, baking spices, licorice and violets.  This has medium to full body with moderate tannins and nice acidity.  On the palate berries, white pepper and dry earth pop out first with spice and a floral note coming in later.  The finish has nice length with a nice licorice note entering the picture.  Not the most complex Turley zinfandel out there but very easy to drink and enjoy.  Not a full throttle style of zin.  (90 pts)

 

 

 

 

I am a big fan of the “Flash Wine Sale” site Last Bottle.  Some of the wines in this post were purchased from the site, these wines were purchased at a big discount.  I highly recommend getting on their e-mail list.  Like most of the flash sale sites, they offer one wine per day until it sells out.  They also have a couple two-day marathons during the year that can’t be missed.  Last Bottle is a great site to buy special wines at prices low enough to open any day of the week.

 

If you sign up using this link you will get a $10 credit that can be used on your first purchase.  I will also get a credit if you make a purchase.

 

Other than getting a credit as explained above, I have no financial interest in the site.  After you are on the list, you can also get the same credit by introducing friends to Last Bottle.

 

 

 

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Notes – I use the “official” Cellar Tracker name for the wines.  I use Cellar Tracker to help manage and organize my cellar.  I highly recommend checking it out at www.cellartracker.com.  Loading you existing cellar is a lot less intimidating than it would first appear.  There is a good chance 99% of your wine is already in the system, so you generally only need to enter part of the wine’s name and the system will find it for you.

 

 

Prices noted are the prices I paid at the time of purchase.  I don’t shop around to find the best prices, but always check out the sale and close out items when in a store.  Wines purchased direct from a winery do not include any shipping charges.  None of the prices include the sales tax.

 

 

All wines that were sent to me free of charge to sample will be noted and I will show suggested prices when available.

 

 

 

Cheers!