2006 Four Vines Old Vine Cuvee Zinfandel

Taste: 5/5

Price: $18

Value: 4.5/5

I recently had the pleasure of tasting Zinfandels from across California: Napa, Sonoma, Santa Barbara and Lodi. I found that my favorites by far were the ones from Lodi, although I suspect the reason I liked them was not so much due to their locale, but to the fact that they were both old vine Zins. I found them both to have a wonderful jamminess to them. This very well may be my new favorite red! I recently bought Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin at $10 to see if I can get the same great experience for 1/2 the price.

2007 Rodney Strong Sonoma County Chardonnay

Taste: 4/5
Value: 4/5
Price: $20 (Kroger sale $15)

From the winemaker: Nearly four decades ago we discovered that the west and southwestern regions of Sonoma County are ideal for growing Chardonnay grapes. The cool maritime influence of the Pacific Ocean arriving reliably in the form of fog each summer evening maintains the bright natural acidity that is key to the balance of any fine chardonnay, while the warm summer afternoons we enjoy ensure plenty of ripe fruit character. The 2007 vintage started off with a very dry spring, which tended to make for smaller clusters, smaller berries, and less canopy overall. The growing season was about as perfect as you would want, with warm afternoons and cool evenings, and a complete lack of hot or cold spells. With no weather problems at harvest time, few are surprised with the exceptional quality of this vintage, which will likely go down as one of the best in recent years.

We barrel fermented about 70% of this wine, and aged that portion in barrel for 5 months, offering the wine a touch of brown spice and vanilla, while cold fermenting the remainder to maximize a fresh fruit-forward character. Bright lemon and apple aromas mingle with hints of toasty barrel complexity, and on the palate, pear and pineapple with spice and refreshing acidity will have you coming back for another glass.

My comments: While a very good, enjoyable Chardonnay, it would be a second pick to the Chateau St Michelle Indian Wells Chardonnay I wrote about previously. Lemon and buttery apple on the nose, fuller body with a good amount of crispness on the palate. Very toasty when aerated in the mouth.