By Denman Moody, author, The Advanced Oenophile

Exceptional Taste And Good Pricetags

The incredible, limited, big, rich, old-vine Zinfandels with breed and class from Ravenswood: All the following wines come from ancient vineyards, mostly still propagated with original vines. All are highly recommended!

Ravenswood Zinfandel Dickerson Vineyard Napa Valley 2015 —

From a vineyard planted in 1930 $40

Ravenswood Zinfandel Big River Vineyard Alexander Valley 2015 —

Vineyard planted in 1893 $40

Ravenswood Zinfandel Belloni Vineyard Russian River Valley 2015 -

Vineyard planted in 1900 $40

Ravenswood Zinfandel Barricia Vineyard Sonoma Valley 2015 —

Vineyard planted in 1892 $40

Ravenswood Zinfandel Teldeschi Vineyard Dry Creek Valley 2015—

Vineyard planted 1913-1919 $40

Ravenswood Zinfandel Old Hill Vineyard Sonoma Valley 2015 —

Vineyard planted in 1885 $60

 

Winning Malbecs From Argentina — From 25 Tasted:

King Malbec Mendoza 2015 —$10

Amalaya Malbec Salta 2016 —$12

Allamand Malbec Valle de Uco 2014 —$14

Crios Malbec Mendoza 2015 —$15

P 15 Malbec Patagonia 2016 —$15

Del Fin de Mundo Malbec Pata­gonia 2016 —$19.99

Colome Malbec Salta 2015 —$24.99

Corazon del Sol Malbec Mendoza 2015 —(owned by Dr. Revana from Houston) $28

 

Recently Tasted Winning Whites:

San Pedro 9 Lives Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Central Valley (Chile) 2017 -

Great buy $9

Kung Fu Girl Riesling Washington State 2016 —

Off-dry and delicious $12.99

E Pam’s Unoaked Chardonnay California 2017 —

From Ron Rubin Winery. Delightful. $14.99

E Attems Sauvignon Blanc Venezia Giulia 2016 —

Lovely $15

E. Guigal Cotes-du-Rhone Blanc 2016 —

Floral, exotic — from Viognier $15

Mt. Beautiful Riesling North Canterbury 2016 —

Off-dry and classic $16

Murietta’s Well The Whip White Wine Blend Livermore Valley 2016 —

Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Chardonnay, Orange Muscat and Viognier. A symphony of flavors. $16.95

Wente Chardonnay Riva Ranch Arroyo Seco 2016 —

Excellent balance of all components $20

Concannon Chardonnay Monterey County 2015 —

Perfect with Nielsen’s chicken salad. Great value. $20

Blindfold White Wine California 2016 —

From The Prisoner Wine Company $24.95

Jayson Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2017 —

A winning first release from Pahlmeyer $30

 

Recently Tasted Winning Reds:

Dutcher Crossing Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Chenowith Vineyard 2016 —
Enticing $42

Bonterra Young Red Mendocino County 2017 —

Rivals a very good Beaujolais-Villages in quality $15

Educated Guess Cabernet Sauvignon North Coast 2016 —

Perfect with BBQ beef $19.99

Murietta’s Well Estate Vineyard The Spur Red Wine Blend Livermore Valley 2015 —

Double Gold Medal at San Francisco International Wine Competition 2018 $21

Yangarra Estate Shiraz McLaren Vale 2014 —

Outstanding $25

Duckhorn Merlot Napa Valley 2015 —Every year,

among the very best $55

Bella Zinfandel Rock’s Edge Rockpile AVA 2015 —

A tour de force. Rivals the great Ravenswood ancient-vine

Zinfandels listed above. $58

Groth Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Napa Valley 2014 —

Perfect with filet mignon recently $60

Chappellet Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2015 —

Classic expression of beautiful Napa Valley hillside fruit $62

Concannon Clone 7 Cabernet Sauvignon Chalk Hill Vineyard 2014 —

From the Russian River Valley, a big wine of depth and complexity, with great potential for aging. But great now! $90