WTN: What do you think about Zin blends?

Hi Tom N,
Would you consider “blending” barrel #1 with barrel #2 just prior to bottling a “blend”?

Salute

Hi Tom N,
Would you consider “blending” barrel #1 with barrel #2 just prior to bottling a “blend”?

Salute

Or for that matter Zins from different vineyards? I'm mostly a single vineyard Zin fan.

Tom,

Like a lot of others I don't drink a lot of zin, and I think some 05-07 Ridge Lytton Springs may be the only zins I have in the cellar. That said, my favorite zin is the zins from Doug Nalle. Doug s zins don't beat you up just because you drank it, it slides so effortless across the palate, and down thew gullet, and when it hits bottom, all I can think of is another sip, or should I say gulp. Or should I say that to me they remind me more of bdx than of cali zinfandel, they are lighter in color, and in body. one could never mistake what it is, but it sure isn't your grandfathers zinfandel. I tried a Layer Cake primitivo a few days ago, and the resemblance to zin is there alright, but it resembles all the other zins, and not Doug's. The only thing that befuddles me about the Nalle zins is their price which they have risen...$30 or sa here.

Hi Tom N,
Would you consider “blending” barrel #1 with barrel #2 just prior to bottling a “blend”?

Salute

Or for that matter Zins from different vineyards? I'm mostly a single vineyard Zin fan.

Hi Carl and Victorwine,

Good questions. Another example is a wine I bought from Clos Pepe Estate that is a called a Vigeron Select, a mix of 3 different clones of pinot from the same vineyard that were chosen in a blending experiment tasted by a sommelier and others at Clos Pepe. I don't specifically remember if Wes called this a blend when he was describing it to us, but I have to admit that he at least suggested that it was when he was talking about it. So, I think that the definition of a blend may be much broader to some than my suggestion of different grape varieties intentionally mixed together to make a better, or maybe just different tasting, wine. This might be a good question to put on this forum. Just what do you think is a blended wine ? Is a cuvee the same as blend, or is it something different?

The French use the term “assemblage” which means basically “assembling” the wine to get it ready to bottle. It could come from different varieties (from the same vineyard or different vineyards), or from the same variety from different parts of the same vineyard, or as Tom N mention the same variety from another vineyard, maybe picked at different times (showing different ripeness levels), maybe different clones, or different winemaking techniques, maybe one batch seeing one type of oak and another batch seeing another type of oak, etc.
Back in 2005 a group of wineries in my neck of the woods got together and formed what they called the Merlot Alliance. Each member donates two of his or her best “performing” barrels of Merlot wine. When it comes time to bottle it the winemakers get together and decide on a “final” blend or "final cuvee". The bottled wine is than labeled “Merliance” (100% Long Island Merlot).

Salute

Tom,

Like a lot of others I don't drink a lot of zin, and I think some 05-07 Ridge Lytton Springs may be the only zins I have in the cellar. That said, my favorite zin is the zins from Doug Nalle. Doug s zins don't beat you up just because you drank it, it slides so effortless across the palate, and down thew gullet, and when it hits bottom, all I can think of is another sip, or should I say gulp. Or should I say that to me they remind me more of bdx than of cali zinfandel, they are lighter in color, and in body. one could never mistake what it is, but it sure isn't your grandfathers zinfandel. I tried a Layer Cake primitivo a few days ago, and the resemblance to zin is there alright, but it resembles all the other zins, and not Doug's. The only thing that befuddles me about the Nalle zins is their price which they have risen...$30 or sa here.

Nalle is great because the wines are older style which means not over the top extract and alcohol etc. Great balance. You have good taste Bob.

Nalle is great because the wines are older style which means not over the top extract and alcohol etc. Great balance. You have good taste Bob.

Thanks Lou, I would like to point out though, that unlike Charlie the tuna, I don't taste good!

Nalle Zins rock!!

I remember about when the 1999's were released, I got a case for $17.50/btl and that included shipping. Don't see them at retail in these parts anymore.

Nalle Zins rock!!

I remember about when the 1999's were released, I got a case for $17.50/btl and that included shipping. Don't see them at retail in these parts anymore.

Winger, they are available in Louisville but they price has (like most everything has risen. They are $29.99 per here in Lexington. I guess I got pi$$ed at prices jumping so much a couple vintages back and haven't purchased any in quite a while. Also would not buy the Ridge wines but I found the 05-07 Lytton at $20.49 per and damaged my checking account buying them. Of course there is no comparison between Nalle and Ridge, although both rock.