The theme of the evening's tasting was a vertical of Von Strasser Zinfandel from 2001-2005. This didn't happen because I pulled a Ranin Cabernet. Those labels are so similar that I didn't notice what I'd done until I poured, started to drink and then BING in my head with the realization the wine wasn't Zinfandel but Cabernet. Duh! Well, the crowd had not complaints. What was interesting was you could easily pick out that they were all related by there various components. Was it the vineyard or the winemaker - most definitely yes to both. When you added the Chardonnay, Cabernet and Petite Verdot Port you could recognize that the winemaker has a style that focuses on finesse rather than the usual hit you over the head style of California.
We did manage to taste wines from the 2000 to 2005 starting outside the zinfandel family with an Aurora Vineyard Chardonnay from 2000. This was accompanied by a baked brie with sherry soaked figs and toasted almonds.
The 2001 and 2002 Zinfandel started us off a butternut squash soup with apples and coarse grain mustard.
The 2003 and 2004 was matched with a braised beef short ribs and a lemon and chive bow tie pasta. The 2005 Ranin Cabernet which we didn't do justice to just pouring and drinking. Something that clearly should have been decanted for several hours.
Finished the evening with a 2004 Petite Verdot port and pumpkin cheesecake with marshmallow and sour cream topping.
I will summarize the participants views below. I was surprised to hear the term ditto. This is a description that one does not hear often. I guess I should have served more controversial wines but 2000 was generally thought to be over the hill with the 2004 the clear winner.
Tara - 2004 was the best described as fruit forward with hints of chocolate.
Robin - 04 the best. Port was also a favorite.
Roger - 04 at the top. 03 was too soft needs to be drunk now. 02 was OK with the the 05 getting a quite nice.
Susan was the dissident in the group with her perference of the 2002. Her reaction to the port - "It just tasted good."
Lori - 04 was everything she loved in a Zin. Loved the spiceness and clove. Loved the port with it's raisny aspects and said DITTO to Tom's suggestion of Amarone.
Tom - 01 was astringent and fading; 02 good; 03 a little mustiness; 04 liked a lot; 05 liked a lot. Port was Amarone in style even if he didn't know how it was made.
Kathleen- 01 like because it was nicely balanced; 02 didn't like because of weird barnyard; 04 lovely jammy and vibrant. Port - yummy and DITTO.
