I was talking to David Coffaro one day when there was no one else in the room and he suggested I might like this winery.
David Cooper does the growing and winemaking and Virginia Morgan does the business stuff. When they're open for tasting, they are the ones behind the counter.
I bought a couple of bottles of this in March 2008 on a visit to the winery. Yes, they often have library wines open.
I drank one bottle back in January, and noted: Seriously good Zin. Slow to open. Very dark. Still pretty tannic, but beep blackberry flavor that lasts and lasts and lasts.
I dug out another bottle for spaghetti last night, knowing I'd grill some lamb chops tonight.
Yesterday: Dark black-purple. Deep blackberry taste. Very long. I need another couple of bottles.
Today: (grilled lamb loin chops, sauteed fresh tomato, rotini) Better the second night with all kinds of leathery foresty stuff.
You'll know it's Zin, and given its weight and earthiness, you'll probably guess Sonoma County or DCV. But it's nothing like a Turley or Rafanelli.
Maybe a couple more won't be enough. I hope they still have some. Maybe I ought to call and buy some. No website - their card has a phone number and their personal emails.
14.5% alcohol.
The Zin is dry-farmed, a mix of newer (30 year old) and older (80+ year old) vines. Very gnarly in the winter.
David also makes Syrah, Merlot and Cab. The Merlot and Cab fruit are purchased from local vineyards. They're all in a very similar style, not overripe, very strongly made and very hard when young. It happens to be a style I've come to like, but it isn't easy to find without being one of the "big" wines.