WTN: Joseph Swan Stellwagen Zin '01

Soooo good!!

With spaghetti Bolognese last night and veal scallopine this evening, I can hardly imagine a better food wine.

A little more Zinfandel-ish in this vintage, not nearly so full-bodied as the '98. You'd never believe it has 15.1% alcohol. It's light on the tongue and just slips away.

These 1880s vines produce what I think is the best Zin there is.

And an Italian from Scotland won the 500.

Interesting tasting note, John. We just cracked a J.S. wine from "the other side" of the sp[ectrum last night-1999 Mancini Ranch. Lighter in color, raspberry adn zinberry, and a lot of food-friendly acidity.

I really do prefer Napa and Cooler Zone (Russian River, not Dry Creek) Sonoma Zins to the bigger, jammier specieis from say, the foothills. The foothills zins are often jus ttoo much.

That 99 Mancini Ranch Zin is as you describe it.....outstanding and priced well to boot.. $25 I think.

I haven't had the chance to try the Stellwagen yet....but will get to it.. thanx for the note, John.

Swan has me at least thinking I might be able to like Zin again...

Brian, you need to buy and try a Nalle zin from the Dry Creek appellation. You will change your mind I promise.

I would add that Cedarville's Zins from the Sierra foothills also aren't too much either.... very nicely balanced

The Stellwagen vineyard is on Sonoma Mountain. I haven't grilled Rod as to just where it is on that lump of dirt.

One of those wines that doesn't spend enough time in the glass to see how it develops -- it goes down too fast!

Nalle is on my list, Bob. Cedarville is a new one!

I found another one that was quite nice, too: Trinitas Old Vine Contra Costa, that's another "food friendly" lighter zin. From old Cline plantings, I understand.

There are some Dry Creek Zins I still enjoy (Wilson, Deux Amis). It's just the ones that make my teeth ache from all the sweet, jammy, thick fruit.