Newest issue of WS rates California Zins. If I ever had doubts about their relationship to selected vintners, they were effectively stilled once and for all. The ratings were so ludicruous that even some loyal WS fans are going to have to take notice.
The top ratings went to Turley (no surprise), despite the fact that Turley bottles in very small amounts and almost all of it is pre-allocated. Also highly rated were Rosenblum (now offering 18!!!! varieties of Zin), operating as an American "negociant" in which they buy grape lots and make wine from them without owning much of their own vines. And, Seghesio.
But, when the total listing of Zins was reviewed I was astonished to see the 2002 Ridge Zins languishing with ratings in the very low 80s. Ravenswood ditto. And Renwood as well--the excellent Grandmere getting only 82 points and the Grandpere (a real tannin driven monster) getting 80. Did these folks not properly swear fealty to Marv?
Then the vintage chart tops it off with low 80 ratings for the 96 and
97 vintages which were arguably #1 and #2 of the decade.A disappointment.
(Don't even go to the discussion of "Dining in Denver" which offered just FIVE restaurants from that city in a feature and omitting a number of the classic and still highly regarded houses.)
Ed Rasimus Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret) "When Thunder Rolled"