WTN: Nalle Zin and Mediocre Cab

2005 Nalle Napa Valley Zinfandel. A very nice, light, even elegant Zinfandel, with bright berry flavors, refreshing acidity even (is Zin supposed to be this bright). I know that Jenise and others enjoy this producer's wines, and I have to admit I enjoyed a Zin that did not taste like cough syrup.

2004 Frias Family Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain. Have to admit that Spring Mountain seems to be one Napa "mountain" appellation that I have not had good luck with! How can a mountain wine from a hot ripe year featuring noticeable alcohol burn be so thin and flavorless and green in a bad way? Also: not enough fruit or other secondary flavors to handle the oak, which stuck out pretty strongly. A dud. Dan at BackRoom Wines in Napa did warn me that he didn't find this producer very impressive???

Looking on CellarTracker, the reviews for this producer are much better than mine. I wonder if I had a mediocre bottle?

Another big fan of Doug Nalle's Zinfandel. Unfortunately, the price has crept North of $30 here so I don't buy it very often. In most vintages, these Zins hold up 8-10 years--no problem.
BP

Another big fan of Doug Nalle's Zinfandel. Unfortunately, the price has crept North of $30 here so I don't buy it very often. In most vintages, these Zins hold up 8-10 years--no problem. BP

Winger, I have to agree with you. I have enjoyed maybe a dozen vintages of Doug's wines, but AFAIK after the 2002 the price went north of $30 and It is difficult for me to spend that kind of $$ on zinfandel. Doug's zin is as far from most Cali zins as Chile is from Bdx. And I can't bring myself to spend the $33. And his pinot is well above that!

I'm also a fan of Nalle Zin. If only more CA Zin was like it!

Bill, Bob, if you're unhappy paying a bit over US$30 for it, which CA Zins do you buy for the same or less money that you find equally (or more) enjoyable?

I'm also a fan of Nalle Zin. If only more CA Zin was like it!

Bill, Bob, if you're unhappy paying a bit over US$30 for it, which CA Zins do you buy for the same or less money that you find equally (or more) enjoyable?

Ben,
The only Zin I buy these days is the veryoccasional Nalle and a few bottles of Ridge Geyserville and Lytton Springs when I run into a sale. Other than that, I can't recall another Zin purchase.

I'm also a fan of Nalle Zin. If only more CA Zin was like it!

Bill, Bob, if you're unhappy paying a bit over US$30 for it, which CA Zins do you buy for the same or less money that you find equally (or more) enjoyable?

Ben, like Bill, I rarely buy zin at all. I have been finding the Ridge Lytton Springs mis-marked at $20.49, and have remarked to the store that it was mis-marked, but no more will I even broach that subject. Anyway This has been ongoing since the 2004 vintage and continued through the 2006. I am expecting to see the 2007 soon and will pick up a case if it is still marked at that price.