Wine on the Radio - October 15, 2004         Listen

Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel                 Recommendations

Do you like your red wine deep, dark and juicy, with full bodied taste and jammy flavor that seems to keep on going after you swallow that first sip?  

Then let's head for Sonoma's Dry Creek Valley region and some California Zinfandel.  

Nestled in the middle of Sonoma County are the towns of Healdsburg and Geyserville - and lying between them are the vineyards of the Dry Creek Valley .  

California is the capitol of the world for Zinfandel and Dry Creek might just be the soul of California Zin.  You see, Zinfandel has been grown and produced here since the late 1800's.  

Dry Creek Zins are classically robust with a peppery, spicy quality thrown in.   They're just plain yummy to drink, and I love 'em with food.  

From barbecued salmon to Thanksgiving dinner or from flank steak on the grill to a cheeseburger and fries, Zin is it.  

Sonoma 's Dry Creek Valley puts its own stamp on this All-American favorite.  

Pop the cork™.                    

Dry Creek Area Zinfandel - Our Picks and Recommendations . . . All Prices Approximate

Ch. Souverain 2001 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel $16
Sonoma County, California
Winemaker's Notes
Bursting with jammy boysenberry and black cherry notes, this Zinfandel is enhanced by a rich, round mouthfeel, which exemplifies the classic Dry Creek "fruit-driven" style of this wine

1998 Gallo of Sonoma Zinfandel "Frei Ranch Vineyard" Dry Creek Valley   $20
WS 87 points, Lively, with ripe, juicy, sour black cherry and blackberry flavors that are quite impressive, given the unevenness of the vintage

2001 Dashe Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley    l $22
WA 88 points, Exhibits copious quantities of deep, rich, earthy, spicy, seaweed, pepper, and black currant/cherry fruit

Lambert Bridge 2001 Dry Creek Zinfandel $18
Sonoma County, California
Winemaker's Notes
Aromas of black pepper mix with berry flavors in the mouth. Aging in American and French oak adds hints of toast and coffee to this delicious and satisfying blend

Marietta 1998 Zinfandel $18
Sonoma County, California
Winemaker's Notes
Marietta Zinfandel is a full bodied wine noted for its richness and balance. The grapes are predominantly from hillside, dry framed vineyards in the Dry Creek and Alexander Valleys of Northern Sonoma County

Rancho Zabaco 2001 Dry Creek Zinfandel $18
Sonoma County, California
Winemaker's Notes
If you're big Into Zin! This is a classic, boldly styled Zinfandel, and is not for the faint of heart. The Rancho Zabaco Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel is big and chewy with concentrated, explosive blackberry and boysenberry fruit flavors framed with spicy oak

Belvedere 2000 Healdsburg Ranches Zinfandel $25
Sonoma County, California
Winemaker's Notes
Oh yum - this is so tasty. A true, honest Dry Creek Zinfandel. A great Zinfandel always has to have the rich, jammy fruit as the star, and this wine does not disappoint! The nose carries this character of Boysenberry jam along with a great vanilla spice right to your senses