Zinfandel and Pinot Noir choices

I'm headed to Austin tomorrow so I thought I'd pick up a few wines that I can't find locally.

I'd like to pick up 2 Zins and 2 PNs. I plan to get two bottles of the same wine/vintage so that I can try them at different times. I'd perfer to get something that I could try now and cellar for a few years. Something that is representative of these types of wine so that I can figure out if I like it or not

This is what I had in mind based on availability. Any thoughts / suggestions?

Zins:
2003 Ridge Geyserville
2003 Ridge Independence School Zinfandel
2004 Ridge Ponzo Vineyard Zinfandel
2004 Gravity Hills Tumbling Tractor Zinfandel.

PNs
2005 Patricia Green Quail Hill Pinot Noir
2004 King Estate Pinot Noir
2004 Evesham Wood Seven Springs Pinot Noir.

-Aamer

If you're coming all the way from Canada to buy wine in Texas, just buy as much of the Ridge Geyserville '03 as you can afford. That's what I'd, do, anyway.

PS: I'd never heard of Gravity Hill--they're not distributed in my neck of the woods. Nice website, and I guess the "Tumbling Tractor" was for real!

I can't comment on any of the Ridge wines cited, but I have had two different Gravity Hill Zins in the last year and they both disappointed...but that's just me.
Bill

The Ridge Ponzo is likely to be a reasonable buy.

Regarding Oregon PNs, I'd suggest you try a bottle or two of something you've never heard of. There are lots of new producers up there.

I've never gone wrong with Ridge Geyserville. I don't have any experience with the other wines you mentioned.

-Paul W.

[Jenise]

Aamer,

Although Ridge's Ponzo is very good wine, the Geyserville is a true American classic--just about the most famous and revered of zinfandels with legions of devoted fans. You simply can't pass that one up.

Of the pinots you mention, I would give you this order: Evesham Woods, Patricia Green, King. Evesham Woods is an excellent small producer who make a fairly Burgundian style of Oregon pinot--I love these wines. Patricia also has her fans but I've had inconsistent results from her. King is a bigger, more mass market brand. Not bad wines but they won't have the artisan qualities of the other two.

Jenise

I can't argue about Geyserville. But the Ponzo may be a better QPR - it seems to come somewhere between Geyserville and Lytton Springs in character.

I'm in Austin. I went down to a nice resturant today with a couple colleuges. We decided to try the 2003 Ridge Geyersville - it was on the wine list and I had talked one of them into bringing back a couple of bottles of it for me (each person can only bring back 2 bottles of wine ot Canada). He wanted to know what the fuss was about and I was eager to try the wine anyway.

It was FANTASTIC!. Probably the best wine any of us had tasted. Bear in mind that that none of us were wine gurus - everyone agreed that it was fabulous.

So it turns out that all three of us will be bringing back bottles of this American classic back to Canada. My colleuge who was going to bring back two bottles for me can now only bring back one as he plans on bringing back one for himself to share with his dad .

So I'll start with 3 2003s for my cellar. Pretty good start on Zinfandels for my little cellar!

Thanks for all the help. You guys are AWESOME!.

-Aamer

Glad you liked the Ridge Geyserville zin.

Try out Rafanelli zinfandel if you ever get the chance.

-Paul W.

(each person can only bring back 2 bottles of wine ot Canada).

Is that a legal restriction or because you have too much other stuff to carry?

[Jenise]

Aamer, it's just fantastic when someone comes back, after receiving recommendations, to report success.

(each person can only bring back 2 bottles of wine ot Canada).

Is that a legal restriction or because you have too much other stuff to carry?

This is a customs regulation. Max 1.5 liters of wine per person.

[Jenise]

(each person can only bring back 2 bottles of wine ot Canada).

Is that a legal restriction or because you have too much other stuff to carry?

This is a customs regulation. Max 1.5 liters of wine per person.

And 100% duty on anything over the limit!

Wrap up the other bottles and tell customs its olive oil!!!!!

Wrap up the other bottles and tell customs its olive oil!!!!!

The thought has crossed my mind. I'm just too honest for my own good.

Drives me crazy though. I thought we had free trade!

Evesham Woods is an excellent small producer who make a fairly Burgundian style of Oregon pinot--I love these wines. Patricia also has her fans but I've had inconsistent results from her. King is a bigger, more mass market brand. Not bad wines but they won't have the artisan qualities of the other two.

Jenise

Jenise do you have any history with Stone Wolf wines. I have had some and not had a bottle yet that wasn't a top class wine. Am sipping a glass of the 2003 pinot gris that is probably the best pg made in the USA. If the Loire could sell their pg here for the same price, I would own a lot more. However I will just continue to drink this and not miss a thing.

If the Loire could sell their pg here for the same price, I would own a lot more.

Well, you wouldn't own THAT much more than you do now, Bob, since they don't grow any Pinot Gris in the Loire. Not legally, anyway.

I think you meant to say Alsace.

If the Loire could sell their pg here for the same price, I would own a lot more.

Well, you wouldn't own THAT much more than you do now, Bob, since they don't grow any Pinot Gris in the Loire. Not legally, anyway.

I think you meant to say Alsace.

Yep Hoke you old sharp eyed hawk! I did indeed mean Alsace! If you get the chance try Linda's pg...it is honestly the best US pg I have ever had. And I hope that is understood as high praise.

Thanks, Bob. Yep, I've had that PG, and Yep, I like it.

In balance, I'd say that Oregon PG pleases me a great deal, but doesn't thrill me the way Alsace, Trentino-Alto Adige and Friuli do.

But that's because those areas produce unique styles of PG that appeal to me, the Alsace for weighty, almost oily, serious, spicy PG with body, and the Northern Italy areas for medium-bodied but taut, nervy and mouth-watering crispness as well.

Oregon I'd place somewhere between the CA and the best European. And I'd put some of the New Zealand stuff right alongside it, too.

Also, Canada (Okanagan) deserves a yell out for their PG.

[Keeping in mind, of course, that about 99% of the PG that's made is closely akin to tap water---with tap water perhaps having the advantage. We're talking about cream skimming here.]

[Jenise]

Bob, other than your mentioning Stone Wolf, I've never heard of this winery. But we only get a smattering of Oregon wines up here.

Jenise, I have had less than a dozen of these wines, yet they have impressed me so much that I tout them every chance I get. I have a few that are recent acquisitions and I will be trying them over time. I had a lone bottle left of the 2003 pinot gris, and still think is is the best US made pg I have had. I have a bottle of the 2005 that I have heard good things of. I intend to order a mixed case this week since Ky has come out of the dark ages. The winemaker there is the wife of the twosome who do the work and she has been on the forum from time. If you get a chance to try any Stone Wolf wine I will reimburse you the cost of any you don't like.

This is a customs regulation. Max 1.5 liters of wine per person.

God that sucks. I guess it's because of the state controlled liquor monopoly?

Wow.

Rahsaan up at 5 am and Hoke promoting Okanagan Pinot Gris. I love this place!!

Rahsaan up at 5 am and Hoke promoting Okanagan Pinot Gris. I love this place!!

I'm actually in London these days, so it's a late start. Just getting to the office at 1130am.

What's your excuse