Assorted Caymus,The Prisoner Wine Company , Talty & Prisoner Wine Company California Zinfandel Tasting Lot

2010 Caymus Napa Valley Zinfandel

Caymus Vineyards has produced a Zinfandel since 1975, but their tête de cuvée, the Special Selection Cabernet, tends to get all the glory. We're here to change that! Their "second" varietal comes with a great pedigree and is worthy of its own accolades. Grown in the Butala vineyard near St. Helena, Caymus has not cut any corners in either vineyard management or winemaking. Deep berry flavors counterbalance the solid acid and oak. A big wine and a sure bet with cellar time.

2011 The Prisoner Wine Company "Saldo" Zinfandel

Dave Phinney knows Zinfandel, and after years of making the incredibly popular blend, the Prisoner, he's parlayed his access to top Zin vineyards into this varietal expression without the constraint of a single appelation. From Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, Amador, and Contra Costa Counties, the best lots from fine vineyard sites such as Aparicio, Duarte, Pato, Eagle Point, Mattern, Taylor, Haywood and Tofanelli are represented here. Named Saldo, which in Spanish can refer to balance, but also can loosely be translated to mean "from here and there", this is a wine from here and there in California. From the winery: "The 2011 Saldo has an intense ruby color and bold aromas of dark berry fruit, blueberry pie, cardamom and baking spice. The entry is rich and full, and leads into a broad mid palate with concentration and density, backed by lively acidity. The texture is soft and velvety, with polished tannins. The finish is long with persistent notes of chocolate, roasted coffee bean and vanilla spice."

2013 The Prisoner Wine Company "Saldo" Zinfandel

2013 Talty "Filice Connolly Vineyards" Napa Valley Zinfandel

Talty Winery was founded in 1997 by Michael Talty, who set out to make small-lot Zinfandel from old-vine sites in Dry Creek Valley. The estate vineyard, known as Brittain, was planted in 1963 on gravelly, well-drained soils that naturally limit vigor and produce concentrated fruit. Talty farms the vines by hand with a focus on balanced canopies and low yields, and harvests are done by parcel to preserve freshness. Fermentations take place in small stainless tanks with extended maceration to build texture, followed by aging in a mix of American and French oak chosen to frame the vineyard’s dark berry profile. Production remains tiny, and the wines are known for purity, structure, and a clear Dry Creek signature.

2016 Caymus Napa Valley Zinfandel

90 points Natalie Maclean: "Produced by Charles Wagner Sr., Caymus is renowned for its Cabernet Sauvignons, but California's heritage Zinfandel grapes has a special place in his heart, and it shows on this big, bold Californian Zinfandel from the Napa Valley. Aromas of ripe purple plum and spice open up to ripe, jammy fruit, savoury herbs, cedar brush and spicy flavours on the palate. Enjoy with slow cooker ribs." (11/2018)

2017 Talty "Filice Connolly Vineyards" Napa Valley Zinfandel

Talty Winery was founded in 1997 by Michael Talty, who set out to make small-lot Zinfandel from old-vine sites in Dry Creek Valley. The estate vineyard, known as Brittain, was planted in 1963 on gravelly, well-drained soils that naturally limit vigor and produce concentrated fruit. Talty farms the vines by hand with a focus on balanced canopies and low yields, and harvests are done by parcel to preserve freshness. Fermentations take place in small stainless tanks with extended maceration to build texture, followed by aging in a mix of American and French oak chosen to frame the vineyard’s dark berry profile. Production remains tiny, and the wines are known for purity, structure, and a clear Dry Creek signature.

2017 Prisoner Wine Company "Saldo" California Zinfandel

Dave Phinney knows Zinfandel, and after years of making the incredibly popular blend, the Prisoner, he parlayed his access to top Zin vineyards into this varietal expression without the constraint of a single appellation. From Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, Amador, and Contra Costa Counties, the best lots from fine vineyard sites such as Aparicio, Duarte, Pato, Eagle Point, Mattern, Taylor, Haywood and Tofanelli are represented here. Named Saldo, which in Spanish can refer to balance, but also can loosely be translated to mean "from here and there," this is a wine from here and there in California.

2019 Talty "Filice Connolly Vineyards" Napa Valley Zinfandel

Talty Winery was founded in 1997 by Michael Talty, who set out to make small-lot Zinfandel from old-vine sites in Dry Creek Valley. The estate vineyard, known as Brittain, was planted in 1963 on gravelly, well-drained soils that naturally limit vigor and produce concentrated fruit. Talty farms the vines by hand with a focus on balanced canopies and low yields, and harvests are done by parcel to preserve freshness. Fermentations take place in small stainless tanks with extended maceration to build texture, followed by aging in a mix of American and French oak chosen to frame the vineyard’s dark berry profile. Production remains tiny, and the wines are known for purity, structure, and a clear Dry Creek signature.