House Of Zin

Ridge Vineyards

Lytton Springs Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Blend 2022

Day 1 of this year's Smallmouth Smackdown has begun. After 7 hours on the boat, and a dozen bass, it's time to crack into some libations (had a few PBR's on the boat).
This is a lush Zin. Concentrated fruit, but savory and chewy. Blackberry, blood orange, cigar box, and enough structure to age much longer. This is my 3rd Ridge Zin, and I'd have to say I still favor the Pagani Ranch.
Listening to Chris Stapleton
— a month ago

Pooneet, Somm and 22 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Dave, bravo my man!! The other advice you received is also great!! I think Pagani vs. Lytton Springs vs. Geyserville vs. any other Ridge Zin is often vintage, since they’re all blends!! (In fact, Geyserville never (mostly?) never says Zinfandel on the label since it very rarely (never?) is at least 75% Zinfandel, which is the CA requirement for varietal name on the label.
Dave

Dave

Thanks for the education! @Doug Powers

Broc Cellars

Vine Starr Sonoma County Zinfandel 2024

End of my Broc holiday shipment. Light and very tart zin. Blackberry, plum, and craisins. A bit of earthy spiciness, and faint char on the nose. 12.5% abv. With Gouda and mini toasts. One last indulgence before going back to the daily grind. — 6 months ago

Dave, ESF and 5 others liked this

Brown Estate

House of Brown California Chardonnay

BHM Wine Tasting @ Netflix — 3 years ago

Frog's Leap

Napa Valley Zinfandel 2014

Lovely wine. Obviously California big zin with a ton of fruit and body but really nice tobacco, savory herbs, and some dirt. The acidity balances out the big fruit flavor. Classic IMO. — 5 years ago

Gnarly Head

Old Vine Zin Lodi Zinfandel 2018

Barnyard nose, with very little fruit. Flavor bomb! Luscious red cherry, cedar, spicy, super smooth, and not a hint of tannins. Amazing for 10 bucks. — 6 years ago

School House Vineyard

Mezcolanza Zinfandel Blend 2012

Threw a ton of sediment. A lighter colored zin- not a big alcoholic fruit bomb. This has finesse and character. Some minerally component. This is the tailback, not the tackle. Loved it. Thanks bro. — 6 years ago

Severn, Dawn and 1 other liked this

The Prisoner Wine Company

The Prisoner Napa Valley Zinfandel Blend

Label based on Little Prisoner etching, by Francisco de Goya. Deep Ruby with red fruit aromas and hints of woody spice. Aged 30% on new oak, combo of French/American barrels, blend of Zin, Cab Sauv, Petite Sirah, Syrah & Charbono. Palate shows flavors of sweet cherry, blueberry & raspberry, zesty spice lively acidity, good balance. Fine tannins, long finish ending with cacao & oaky character. — 7 years ago

Shay, Dawn and 2 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Three Valleys Sonoma County Zinfandel Blend

Well-balanced Zin blend. Some cherry, plum, tartness with a bit of vanilla. Medium to full bodied. Eich, but a relatively short and clean finish. — 3 months ago

Turley

Juvenile California Zinfandel 2014

Wonderful. Of course, it’s a Turley Zin. — 5 months ago

Bonnie Hodur
with Bonnie

A. Rafanelli

Unfiltered Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2023

Deep purple color. Aromas of blackberry jam, fresh violets and white pepper. Black fruit on the palate, vanilla and baking spices.

The standard for Zin in Sonoma County.

— 6 months ago

Shay, Tom and 10 others liked this

Seghesio Family Vineyards

Sonoma County Zinfandel 2022

ESF
9.0

So solid, year in year out - I know they make a ton of this, and yes it’s at Costco, but when you’re looking for a reliable Zin, this is it. Bordering on being too fruit forward - this barely checks the box for secondary aromas & flavors. Balanced harmonious with intermediate aging potential. Try to find their single vineyard offerings. — 2 years ago

Tom, Bob and 6 others liked this

House of Arras

Grand Vintage Champagne Blend 2008

Tuesday the 26th of January was Australia Day and a public holiday. What better way to celebrate than Australia’s best fizz Arras Grand Vintage from Tasmania. Quite light lemon in colour. Very citrussy and mineral on the nose. 7 years on Lees showing in the complexity of the palate which still shows tension and refreshment. See previous notes for the 2007 which was slightly better and Champion Wine of the Royal Brisbane Show. — 5 years ago

Jan, Scott and 17 others liked this

Billecart-Salmon

Brut Rosé Champagne Chardonnay Blend

Somm David T
9.3

Happy Friday!

Been having a lot of Blanc Brut lately. Sooo good to get back to one of our favorite N/V Rosé Champagne’s.

Numerous, numerous notes stand.

Tonight; Blood orange, pink grapefruit covered in an ice cream creamsicle, volcanic, powdery chalkiness, sea fossils, pink roses, excellent acidity and balance, elegance and polish for days.

Photos of; amazing sunset shot of one of Billecart’s Grand Cru vineyards, two shots inside the House of Billecart and the grounds of Billecart.
— 6 years ago

Sofia, Severn and 34 others liked this
Severn G

Severn G Influencer Badge Premium Badge

It's Friday again in SC!
Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

I’ve been looking for some of this but I can’t find it anywhere🤷🏼‍♂️
Severn G

Severn G Influencer Badge Premium Badge

I think the entire supply in CA is locked in a few Eurocave's somewhere.

Ruinart

Brut Rosé Champagne

Somm David T
9.2

@Plate & Bottle Dinner

Dessert Course, Warm Berry Cobbler, House Made Vanilla, Lemon Verbena Ice Cream.

Amazing dessert. Pairing the cobbler with the Ruinart Rosé and the Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve as well. Both good/appropriate for the dual aspects of the cobbler.

Dessert has blackberries and raspberries with lemon and crumble on top (tiny bit of cinnamon) and vanilla lemon verbena ice cream. There are flavors here that call for Rosé & Blanc de Blanc Champange.

Photos of, the dinner & our friends Jeff & Hedy beautiful backyard.
— 7 years ago

Shay, Dick and 23 others liked this
Shay A

Shay A Influencer Badge Premium Badge

CHeidsieck Brut Reserve 👌🏼 Had a bottle today as well. Just an absolute favorite of mine.
Alex Lallos

Alex Lallos Influencer Badge

I miss plate and bottle!!!! Sign me up again

Dry Creek Vineyard

Petite Zin Rosé of Zinfandel 2024

Aromas of ripe cherry and watermelon. Dry, but balanced. Slightly tart, and a very soft finish. Patio perfection. — 4 months ago

House of Arras

Méthode Traditionelle Tasmania Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay 2013

Arras — Blanc de Blancs 2013
Tasmania, Australia 🇦🇺

Overview
A 100% Chardonnay traditional-method sparkling wine sourced broadly across Tasmania, aged extensively on lees for over five years prior to release, delivering depth, autolytic complexity, and finely tuned balance. Cool-climate fruit precision meets long cellar maturation for serious Champagne-caliber structure and finesse.

Aromas & Flavors
Expressive notes of toasted brioche, lemon curd, baked apple, almond pastry, and subtle chalky minerality lead the nose. Layers of fresh citrus peel, pear skin, and gentle hazelnut evolve with air, framed by savory yeast complexity and restrained creaminess. The palate delivers precision rather than sweetness, with purity and tension driving the finish.

Mouthfeel
Creamy yet lifted, with fine, persistent mousse and beautifully integrated autolytic weight. The texture feels polished and expansive without heaviness, supported by vibrant acidity that keeps the wine energetic, linear, and refreshingly dry through the finish.

Food Pairings
Oysters and shellfish. Butter-poached lobster or scallops. Parmesan risotto. Roast chicken with herbs. Triple-cream cheeses or aged Comté.

Verdict
A compelling expression of New World traditional-method excellence, delivering maturity, balance, and serious structural integrity. Rich without excess, nostalgic in its yeast-driven complexity, and confidently positioned alongside high-quality grower Champagne.

Did You Know?
Tasmania’s cool maritime climate and long growing season allow Chardonnay to retain high natural acidity while achieving full phenolic ripeness, making the region one of Australia’s strongest candidates for world-class traditional-method sparkling wines.

🍷 Personal Pick
Blanc de Blancs is my home base, and this bottle absolutely delivers. The autolytic depth, precision, and balance hit exactly the profile I love, serious, expressive, and quietly luxurious. A sparkling wine that rewards attention, not just celebration.
— 5 months ago

Freddy, Ted and 3 others liked this

Turley

Old Vines California Zinfandel 2018

8/2021. Nice Zin. Smooth and full of flavor. Never been disappointed by a Turley Zin. — 5 years ago

Rob, Milissa and 1 other liked this

Oak Ridge Winery

OZV Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel 2015

Part of zin wine tasting. Fav one of the set — 5 years ago

Chateau Montelena

The Montelana Estate Calistoga Zinfandel 2010

Very nice Zin. Did not secant and was quite soft. Notes of chocolate and spice. — 6 years ago

David liked this

Brick House

Ribbon Ridge Gamay Noir 2018

I first drank this wine in 2004 as a 22 year-old wine neophyte—with duck confit & spaetzle at the late great Earth & Ocean in Seattle—it blew my mind. As Swift said, “I drink no memories” so how does it hold up?

Quite respectably. Opening palate is fresh, mouthwatering, the memories of great Beaujolais crus past. Mid-palate with currant & slate. Excellent acid-tannin accord, cherry liqueur finish. Glorious with roast chicken & black trumpets.
— 6 years ago

Alsu Shakirova
with Alsu
Josh, David and 2 others liked this