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"
www.thunderchief.org