Had these two w/ dinner last night:
1. Neyers Zin DelBarbaVnyd/ContraCostaCnty (14.6%; www.NeyersVineyards.com) 2011: Very dark color; strong blackberry/boysenberry/Zin bit alcoholic slight licorice rather earthy/loamy/mushroomy/ContraCosta slight herbal/thyme/pungent nose; fairly soft strong mushroomy/earthy/loamy/CC rather blackberry/licorice/boysenberry/ripe very light toasty/oak slightly sour flavor w/ light smooth/ripe tannins; very long strong earthy/mushroomy/loamy bit dusty/OV light toasty/oak strong blackberry/licorice/boysenberry/ripe/CCZin finish w/ light smooth/ripe tannins; a pleasant enough Zin that speaks strongly of CCCnty; would like a bit more structure & brightness. $30.00 (KK)
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2. Cinquante-Cinq Viognier IGP: Pays d'Oc (13%; www.TedEdwardsWines.com; MeBalP) Alignan du Vent/Languedoc 2016: Some frothy bubbles (CO2 refreshed?); pale yellow color; attractive pear/peach/Viog light earthy/herbal slight spicy/thyme slight mineral nose; lightly tart/CO2 refreshed very light pear/Viog bit stony/earthy/mineral flavor; med.short bit tart/tangy some earthy/stony light Viog/peach/pear finish; speaks strongly of hot-climate Viog and a bit on the simple side but pleasant enough for the $; would not buy again at even half the price. $12.00 (LM)
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. The Neyers Zin was pleasant enough but not in the league of the Carlisle or Bedrock CC Zins. More like some of the Clines.
Tom