TN: Rosenblum reds, 2005 Open House

Rosenblum Cellars winery open house Quarterly Event in Alameda, California Feb. 20, 2005

I attend Rosenblum's quarterly open houses often; I have made it to most of them in fact over the past several years with my wife and various friends. I've been a fan of Rosenblum's Zins since 1994. It all started with the Harris Kratka back then.

Here are brief tasting notes from this weekend's open house.

My system: 4 stars = The Best/96-100 pts. and generally not attainable 3 stars = Superb, excellent, well-rounded full bodied wine for its class/style/variety 2 stars = Very good wine, worth owning 1 star = good wine, but not that notable or exciting 0 stars or empty, not worth talking about or owning, boring, thin, or nasty

Two Stars (**) or better:

2003 Zinfandel, Monte Rosso, Sonoma Valley, $40 (***), the Best. 2003 Zinfandel, Carla's Vineyard, Amador County, $26 (**1/2), among the best. 2001 Holbrook Mitchell Trio (bourdeaux blend), $36 (**1/2) 2003 Zinfandel, Aparacio Vineyard, Amador County, $22 2003 Zinfandel, Planchon Vineyard, San francisco Bay, $22 2002 Zinfandel, Annette's Reserve, Redwood Valley, $30 2002 Zinfandel, Cullinane, Sonoma County, $45 2001 Zinfandel, Lyon's, Napa Valley, $34

1.5 stars: '02 Harris Kratka Zin, '03 Rockpile Road Zin, '02 Lyon's Zin, '00 Holbrook Mitchell Trio "cab", ($29 - $40 each)

Many 1-stars, including: '02 RustRidge Zin, '02 Alegria Zin, '02 Eagle Point Ranch Zin, '01 Merlot Mountain Selection

Very tasteworthy but unrated: '02 Late Harvest Viognier (Lodi) $16 for 375ml, and '03 Late Harvest Zin, Rosie Rabbit (Calif.) $18 for 375ml

I tasted a few other wines but made no notes.

I ended up buying the '03 Aparacio Zin, '03 Monte Rosso Zin, '01 Holbrook, '03 Carla's, and the '01 Lyon's.

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Last Quarter, From NOV. 2004:

One Star (*)

2002 Zinfandel, Sauret, Paso Robles $19 2002 Zinfandel, Harris Kratka, Alexander Valley $30 2002 Zinfandel, Annette's Reserve, Redwood Valley - Rhodes Vineyard, $28 2002 Zinfandel, Eagle Point Ranch, Mendocino $27 2002 Zinfandel, Alegria, Russian River Valley, $22 2001 Syrah, Fess Parker, Santa Barbara County, $19

One Star and a half, (*1/2)

2002 Zinfandel, Rockpile Road, Dry Creek Valley, $26 2000 Holbrook Mitchell Trio (bourdeaux blend), $25

Two Stars (**)

2002 Zinfandel, Hendry Reserve, Napa Valley, $40 2002 Zinfandel, Monte Rosso, Sonoma Valley, $38 2002 Zinfandel, Maggie's Reserve, Samsel, Sonoma Valley, $42 2002 Zinfandel, Lyon's, Napa Valley, $38

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-Ken P.