tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10338337.post5108904098709858100..comments2024-03-17T05:47:35.079-07:00Comments on Benito's Wine Reviews: Wine Guerrilla ZinfandelsBenitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15642446480589939085noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10338337.post-24433734045964440652010-03-09T19:52:49.914-08:002010-03-09T19:52:49.914-08:00Kimberly,
Like I said to Jim, let me know if you ...Kimberly,<br /><br />Like I said to Jim, let me know if you try one of these wines. They're really well made!<br /><br />Cheers,<br />BenitoBenitohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15642446480589939085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10338337.post-28949186776724909872010-03-09T18:28:11.826-08:002010-03-09T18:28:11.826-08:00Hey Benito,
Well, when I look at these labels aga...Hey Benito,<br /><br />Well, when I look at these labels again, I notice they are rather attractive. <br />I shy away from labels like that in general, because I guess I assume that it can't be a serious wine with a label like that. Which I know is wrong because, #1, that's not always the case, and in any case, #2, all wine does not have to be "serious."Kimberlyhttp://wineandwalnuts.com/wordpressnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10338337.post-85798567294714391022010-03-09T13:02:34.105-08:002010-03-09T13:02:34.105-08:00Joe,
Balance is definitely key. I've had a 1...Joe,<br /><br />Balance is definitely key. I've had a 13% abv wine that smelled hot as a bottle of rubbing alcohol, and one that was nearly 17% that was as smooth as silk.<br /><br />Jim,<br /><br />It's fair to note that getting these as samples was a bit different than buying them in the store--I don't know if the label would have pulled me in or not. Glad you checked out their website, and let me know if you try one of the wines.<br /><br />Cheers,<br />BenitoBenitohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15642446480589939085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10338337.post-7229837991630982892010-03-09T12:31:45.140-08:002010-03-09T12:31:45.140-08:00I don't mind the actual art used on these labe...I don't mind the actual art used on these labels, but the overall impression it gave me was that these wines are more about the brand and label than the juice. However, as you point out and after checking out their website, they do seem to emphasize quality vineyard sites - whereas I would have assumed they were generic blends on first glance. Lesson learned.Jim Wilkerson/VINEgeekhttp://vinegeek.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10338337.post-56660143287118953642010-03-09T08:40:39.876-08:002010-03-09T08:40:39.876-08:00As a food guy, I'm usually for a lower alcohol...As a food guy, I'm usually for a lower alcohol, higher acid wine as well. But sometimes, I just want something to drink without food, and these wines are no different to me than a glass of scotch...the alcohol's not a bad thing if it's in balance (also considering by law that these wines may be 17%+). I'm not man enough to drink my scotch neat, so I agree that a bit of a chill (say, 60-64 degrees) on a huge Zin is a nice way to serve it.Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11188665746443591632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10338337.post-50417721407001558992010-03-08T21:48:16.179-08:002010-03-08T21:48:16.179-08:00Thanks for sharing the review of 2008 Russian Rive...Thanks for sharing the review of 2008 Russian River Valley. Would love to put this bottle to test. Hope it taste well.hampershttp://www.colonialgifts.co.uk/c-380-christmas-hampers.aspxnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10338337.post-52195584083613774932010-03-08T19:12:29.596-08:002010-03-08T19:12:29.596-08:00Kim,
I'm kind of surprised at the reaction to...Kim,<br /><br />I'm kind of surprised at the reaction to the labels--I actually was fond of them because of the Matisse/Fauvism connection. It's not often you see "real art" on a label. I have a preference for the more typographical labels, but even here a font that bridges the gap between Art Nouveau and Art Deco seemed fitting and appropriate. <br /><br />As with everything, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I've done a lot of griping here about labels I positively hated. There are still wines I refuse to purchase because of a bad font choice by the graphic designer. It has no bearing on the quality of the wine inside the bottle, but if I get angry staring at the label I'm probably not going to enjoy the wine.<br /><br />Cheers,<br />BenitoBenitohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15642446480589939085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10338337.post-62841054100613991442010-03-08T19:00:30.446-08:002010-03-08T19:00:30.446-08:00I'm with Jim -- when I see names and labels li...I'm with Jim -- when I see names and labels like this, it kind of puts me off. It seems too "cutesy" or "market-y" or something. And the alcohol content, whoa! I've been lately into nice, restrained low-alcohol wines, so if I were going to try one of these Zins, I'd for sure have to pair them with a substantial red meat kind of item to tame them a little. Then again, untamed can be kind of fun too. :)Kimberlyhttp://wineandwalnuts.com/wordpressnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10338337.post-71702231095749974032010-03-07T13:26:59.950-08:002010-03-07T13:26:59.950-08:00Jim,
In general I prefer lighter, lower-alcohol w...Jim,<br /><br />In general I prefer lighter, lower-alcohol wines, but a lot of the initial strength of a bigger wine can be softened with decanting or even opening the wine a day before.<br /><br />There's something I've seen happen a few times: a novice wine lover opens a bottle of a strong red, and pours a glass immediately. He drinks it and says, "Ugh, that's rough!" Then has another glass, and eventually the bottle is gone before it's had a chance to get any air. Anytime I run into this, I'll always decant it, or leave a glass sitting out for an hour or two before I really assess it. <br /><br />Sometimes a little cooling helps as well--a high alcohol wine that's served between 70-80°F can be harsh even under the best circumstances. <br /><br />What's particularly great here is the opportunity to experience distinct terroir through the different areas: Dry Creek, Alexander Valley, Russian River, or just general Sonoma County. <br /><br />Cheers,<br />BenitoBenitohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15642446480589939085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10338337.post-10902213823424040352010-03-07T13:17:54.722-08:002010-03-07T13:17:54.722-08:00I've seen these around but the name and the la...I've seen these around but the name and the labels always deflected my attention. Could be interesting to try - I'm a sucker for Sonoma Zins. Though the 16% abv is a bit scary. If you set your expectations for a full-throttle style, and pair it with big, rich flavors as you suggest, they can be enjoyable. Maybe I'll pick one up the next time I'm doing a Zin series for the blog. Actually, I've been thinking about doing a RRV Zin series. <br /><br />Cheers!<br />Jim/@vinegeekJim Wilkerson/VINEgeekhttp://vinegeek.comnoreply@blogger.com