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 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.