Napa Zinfandel is Affordable and Classic: Z-52 Wines Truchard Vineyard 2005 and Wall Cellars 2006

Zinfandel has roots in Napa, only fewer of them now. You think Cabernet when you think Napa. Fortunately, there are Zin growers in this, California's highest priced appellation. Fortunate I say, because Zin grown here has the potential to yield a different glass of wine than Zin grown anywhere else. Some would say it's more "claret-like", as Alan Goldfarb put it, in his 2007 Appellation America article, Zinfandel in Napa.

Zinfandel being my favorite wine grape, I appreciate the differences in personality between say, Napa, Sonoma, Paso Robles, Amador, Lodi and Lake County. They're all powerful, but Napa's Zin power is the most classic and elegant, the least defined by jammy fruit or overtly high alcohol levels. Compare that to Paso Robles' decadence, Lodi's "smokin' hot", port-like nature, Sonoma's bold intricacies, Lake County's natural punch, and Amador's concentrated robustness.

Z-52 Truchard Vineyard 2005 is deep purple ruby in color. The aromas include dominant black cherry, plus bourbon spice and vanilla, ash, pipe tobacco and a somewhat raisin-y dried fruit character. On the palate, expect more black cherry and mixed pepper spice plus ground mace display over a dusty, dry, firm frame. An addictive and timeless glass of Napa, this is.

Price: $16 (Nashville). Closure: Real cork. Alcohol content: 14.3%.

Wall Cellars 2006 is bright purple ruby in color, candy apple red at the edges. Raspberry dominates the aromas, with supporting tones of cedar spice, cut hay, oregano, and menthol tobacco. Raspberry on the tongue combines with baking spice, white pepper and dusty fine tannins. The fruit is nicely restrained and the finish very dry, making this about as elegant as a Zinfandel gets, especially at its humble price.

Wall Cellars is the second label for Twenty Rows.

Price: $14 (Nashville). Closure: Screw cap. Alcohol content: 14.8%.

Comments

[AJ]

Like you, I too have Zin tendencies. Thanks for the tips. I'm on the hunt.

[Cheap Wine Finder]

I really like the Z52 label. Nice list of cheap Zins to try.

[marc frontario]

purchased the wall cellars zin 05'
very claret like would fit. I actually may have thought this was a cab! What do I know, but this definitely has it's share of cassis. An absolute steal of a wine at $11. Amazing for this price, tastes $25-$30.

[Cigar]

These are amazing wines. If some one get that grapes wine with cigars then it would be the special occasion for him. Cigars increase the taste of wine. Good quality of cigars can be finding here: http://www.Cigarsdirect.com because I use to smoke cigar with wine and always prefer cigarsdirect.com to purchase my cigars. There are lots of cigars available with good flavors.

[BRENDA martin]

With all the wines out on the market, none have been as food friendly and enjoyable as the Trecini wines. I got hooked by their 2006 Syrah. Since then I have tried all their wines but now I'm in love with their Rockpile Zinfandel. Smooth and full of flavors. In the blind tasting parties I bring it to, it's always wins as the favorite. I can hardly wait to see what they do with their Pinot in October

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I just got back from a blind tasting party and discovered the wines from Trecini. They are wonderful. If you haven't heard about them, you are missing out. They are a small winery in northern California and their wine is really good.

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I just had the Rockpile Zin from Trecini and it was outstanding! Not high in alcohol like so many of the other wineries that use the Rockpile grapes. This was perfectly delicious.

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Finally a merlot that tastes like a great merlot should taste. I just discovered Trecini Merlot and it was the best Merlot I've ever tasted. They definetly know how to make great wine.

[Anthony]

I've only tasted one Merlot and it was horrible. I think it had heat damage. I'm personally a huge fan of Catawba wines, my local winery has an awesome bottle of Catawba Dessert Wine.

http://www.stjameswinery.com/shop/wine/dessert/catawba-dessert-wine.html