Sapphire

• November 2009

  Sapphire Hill in Sonoma makes "the Harlot". Great name and it's the blend you want. Limmerick Lane, one of my favorite little producers, makes something called "1023" which is their address. Same blend. I think zin has been around in CA for longer than syrah, or at least there's... Read moreSapphire Hill in Sonoma makes "the Harlot". Great name and it's the blend you want. Limmerick Lane, one of my favorite little producers, makes something called "1023" which is their address. Same blend. I think zin has been around in CA for longer than syrah, or at least there's been a lot more of it planted over the years. There's not a lot of old vine syrah in the state. But syrah is quite trendy these days and plantings are increasing, so maybe there will be some in the future. Anyhow, a while ago the growers in Mendocino formed a consortium to promote their area. They figured cab was identified with Napa, pinot noir with Carneros and Russian River, and even chardonnay with Sonoma. But they have plenty of zin. So they came up with the name "Coro" that is supposed to make people think of Mendocino and zinfandel, just like they came up with the name "Meritage" to make people think of Bordeaux blends of cab, merlot, cab franc, etc. Never heard of Coro? That's the problem isn't it? "Meritage" at least has the virtue of naming something that already exists to a large extent. It's become a shorthand for the blend but originally it was supposed to designate a quality level as well. And that's why I think it failed. It's silly to try imposing the European concepts like D.O.C. etc, onto California. Those came about because of protectionist thinking on the part of special interests wielding political power. However, I don't think it's silly for producers themselves to identify certain strengths or to try to build brands. The plan of the Mendocino winegrowers is, or was, to make a blend that is quickly identified in the mind of the shopper. It's an uphill battle, but an interesting idea. The blends must include 40 - 70 percent zin and the rest can be something else that they're growing up there. And they're growing a lot, including Syrah, Petite Sirah, Carignane, Sangiovese, Grenache, Dolcetto, Charbono, and Barbera. So look for producers out of Mendocino.    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Zin/Syrah blends? by GregT

  
  
• 

  September 2009

  Sapphire Hill Zinfandel Porky's Patch Rosenberg Vineyard Alexander Valley 2007

  Snoothrank:

  No written review

  Wine review by adeala

  
  
• 

  August 2009

  South Gin

  Snoothrank:

  After hearing about South Gin I was excited to try it. I don't think they ... status. I'm more of a Bombay Sapphire man myself, and I felt this had very little to commend it. I poured it into a gin & tonic and I was quite frankly not certain whether I had in fact poured myself a... Read moreAfter hearing about South Gin I was excited to try it. I don't think they ... status. I'm more of a Bombay Sapphire man myself, and I felt this had very little to commend it. I poured it into a gin & tonic and I was quite frankly not certain whether I had in fact poured myself a “well” gin. To solve this riddle, next time at the store I purchased a single-serving bottle of Seagram's gin. Next, I poured some South into one glass and the Seagram's into another. I *will* say that the well gin has much more "bite" to it; the South is very smooth. Regarding the flavours, however, South does have a distinctive "medicine" taste to it. That may be the local botanicals, but it doesn't make me want to spend thousands to go walk through a New Zealand rain forest, either. I have some Vya vermouth on the way; hopefully South makes a better martini than it does a gin & tonic. Meanwhile, I’d spend your money elsewhere if I were you    (hide)

  Wine review by jaimezx

  
  

• February 2009

  Oh, also: I expect he's using vodka, there's no reason to get too fancy with ... or Bombay *Dry*&Sapphire is a vodka masquerading as a gin) or something fairly neutral like Plymouth would be fine. It might be fun with something with a bit more character like Hendrick's, Tru, or... Read moreOh, also: I expect he's using vodka, there's no reason to get too fancy with ... or Bombay *Dry*&Sapphire is a vodka masquerading as a gin) or something fairly neutral like Plymouth would be fine. It might be fun with something with a bit more character like Hendrick's, Tru, or Old Tom, but would probably take some rebalancing    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic My two (current) favorite... by gr

  
  

prev 1 next