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Volume 33, Issue 3: January 2009
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 ZINFANDEL
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The new look Zinfandel is here. Cool harvests in 2005 and 2006, consumer complaints that Zinfandel had lost its table wine usefulness to overripe excess and new technologies and attitudes have seen this latest batch of wines into a more balanced, fruit-forward expression of the grape. But, not every winery has participated, and Zinfandel selection is trickier than ever. This issue sorts through boxes of new wines to bring you the best there is.
| Cover Art: Zinfandel, a painting by Jennifer Bonaventura
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|  Pinot Gris
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AKA: Pinot Grigio. Whether known by its French moniker or by its Italian name, this user-friendly grape is making lots of palates happy with its easy-to-take flavors. Its popularity is growing around the world for just that reason, and whether one prefers the crisper stylings from Washington and Oregon or the fleshier versions from California, Pinot Gris is proving to be a big hit.
| Best Buys
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In this issue, we bring you recommendations for the most priceworthy bottlings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot. Yes, Virginia, even among those varieties, your eagle-eyed, sharp-tongued editors have uncovered wines that are substantial bargains.
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CONNOISSEURS' FORUMS with edtiors Charles Olken and Stephen Eliot.
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2006 Rosenblum Cellars Zinfandel Harris Kratka Vineyard Alexander Valley
Nicely concentrated blackberry aromas gain extra range and interest from layered notes of spice, creamy oak and briar, and the deep fruit continues in flavors that have both wonderful berryish focus and solid tannic structure leading into a long, convincing finish. This lovely bottling comes on the heels of last year's success after several vintages in which Rosenblum seemed to lose the plot with the grapes from one of our favorite Zinfandel vineyards. This wine is not only full of juicy, ready-to-drink character but promises to hold up quite well in the bottle for many years to come. $35.00
Score: 93
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