Category Archives: Zinfandel

The Lodi Native™ Project—Great Idea, Great Wine

Posted on September 9, 2014 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Some of the best ideas happen when kindred spirits gather together to enjoy wine. Lodi Native™ is one of them. The project was born two and a half years ago when Randy Caparoso, sommelier and blogger for the Lodi Winegrape Commission … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Tastings, Zinfandel | 1 Comment

RECOMMENDED: 2010 Cryptic, California red blend. 14.5% ABV, $18 SRT; available for less.

Posted on October 31, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

If you haven’t decided on your Halloween wine yet, here’s a quick recommendation: the 2010 Cryptic red blend. It is delicious, inexpensive, and fun, with backwards lettering and scramble puzzles on the label that you must decipher in order to … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Petite Sirah, Red Blend, Zinfandel | 2 Comments

Winemakers’ Dinner, Columbia Gorge

Posted on September 24, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

One of the traditions of the Wine Bloggers Conference is the “mystery bus” jaunt. Bloggers bravely board buses, blindfolded. (Not really, just had to get in that alliteration.) All we know is that we are headed to a winery, where … Continue reading →

Posted in Barbera, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Gruner Veltliner, Ice Wine, Oregon, Pinot Noir, Tastings, Tempranillo, Travel, Uncategorized, Viognier, Visits to Vineyards/Winemakers, Zinfandel | 17 Comments

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Klinker Brick 2010 Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi. 15.8%, $13.95 and up.

Posted on September 20, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

My favorite way to try new wines is to go to a wine bar. Generally these are boutique yet friendly establishments that have wines on pour-it-yourself systems (you buy a card and dispense your own samples), as well as a … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Restaurants, Tastings, Tips, Zinfandel | 7 Comments

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: 2009 Kendall Jackson Vintner’s Reserve “Summation” red blend (43% Zinfandel, 24% Syrah, 21% Merlot, 5% Grenache, 4% Petite Sirah, 3% Other varietals), California. 13.5% ABV. $17 SRP, usually $13, available for as little as $8.99.

Posted on August 4, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Late last year, I reviewed the 2009 K-J “Summation” white blend and highly recommended it (see http://www.thefrugalwinesnob.com/?p=670). We’ve also enjoyed several bottles of the 2008 “Summation” red blend, which was a “special occasion” everyday house wine for us, if that … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Grenache/Garnacha, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Red Blend, Syrah/Shiraz, Zinfandel | 4 Comments

UPDATE: 2010 Plungerhead Zinfandel.

Posted on July 16, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Late last year I enjoyed (understatement) the 2009 Plungerhead Zin (review here). The 2010 is a little different, of course: 94% Zinfandel, 4% Merlot, and 2% Petite Sirah. It started out jammy but settled down very quickly as it opened. … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel | Leave a comment

WINE-TASTING: Double Decker brand launch event Monday, April 23. 2010 Pinot Grigio, 2009 Red Blend, 2010 Zinfandel, $9.99 each.

Posted on April 27, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Another online tasting this week … (See the previous post for my write-up of my first experience of this apparent oxymoron.) Monday’s tasting featured a flight of Double Decker wines. For the past 25 years or so, the Wente family … Continue reading →

Posted in Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, News, Petite Sirah, Pinot Grigio (Pinot Gris), Riesling, Tastings, Viognier, Zinfandel | 2 Comments

RECOMMENDED: Concannon Conservancy 2009 “Crimson & Clover,” Livermore Valley, CA. Red blend: 50% Petite Sirah, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah, 10% Zinfandel. 13.7% ABV. $15, available for as little as $9.99.

Posted on February 14, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

“Crimson & Clover” is our Valentine’s Day selection, because this wine was based on love. Not romantic love, mind you, but true, lasting, and growing love. Our Samples Policy states, “We love a good back-story” and invites winemakers and publicists … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Petite Sirah, Red Blend, Syrah/Shiraz, Zinfandel | Leave a comment

EXQUISITE: 2008 Girard Petite Sirah (89% Petite Sirah, 8% Zinfandel, 2% Mourvedre, 1% Grenache), Napa Valley. $22-30, available for as little as $17.99. 14.5% ABV.

Posted on January 18, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Once again, a “weighted blend” has won my heart. (In the U.S., a wine can be labeled a varietal, i.e. Petite Sirah, if it consists of 75% or more of that particular grape. However, it’s no secret that we find … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Grenache/Garnacha, Mourvedre, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel | Leave a comment

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Fiddletown Cellars, 2009 Old Vine Zinfandel, Fiddletown, CA. 15.5% ABV. $18.99 from the vineyard.

Posted on December 25, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

“Mmmm. BANG!” I love it when my co-tasters’ reactions are that immediate and direct. Especially when they’re my sentiments exactly. With a dramatic, almost dark-magenta color and pink edges, the nose on this baby was molasses, raspberry, gourmet mushrooms, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Alicante Bouschet, Barbera, California, Zinfandel | 1 Comment