Valdez

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Valdez 2004 Lancel Creek Reserve Zinfandel (Russian River Valley)

Price $35

This is the real deal when it comes to Zin. It’s a big, impressive wine, ripe and opulent in briary berry, cherry, chocolate, coffee and peppery spice flavors, with a touch of raisiny cassis, and it leaves a powerful impression through the finish. Yet for all that, it somehow maintains elegance and balance, despite the ridiculously high alcohol. — S.H. (12/31/2006)

points

Valdez 2004 Rockpile Road Vineyard Zinfandel (Rockpile)

Price $38

Rockpile Zins have earned a reputation as big, complex and interesting, and this is a great example. It sure is ripe, with a flood of blackberry and cherry pie-filling fruit, fudgy chocolate, licorice, root beer and spicy flavors. Yet it’s balanced and dry, or at least as dry as a 16.5% Zin can be. Yes, it’s a freakish wine, but you can’t deny the deliciousness. — S.H. (12/31/2006)

points

Valdez 2005 Rockpile Road Vineyard Zinfandel (Rockpile)

Price $38

This Zinfandel is bone-dry and classically varietal, with briary, wild berry, black currant, mocha, raisin and peppery spice flavors. But consumers should understand that the alcohol is 16.7%. It’s a great example of a superripe Sonoma Zin, but be careful to not drink too much. — S.H. (4/1/2009)

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Valdez 2005 Sauvignon Blanc (Sonoma County)

Price $23

I thought this was a Pinot Grigio, so flowery was it in aroma, but no, it’s Sauvignon. Those honeysuckles show up in the flavors, too, along with lemons and limes, tangerines and a touch of vanilla cream. The finish is a little sweet, but the wine has nice, clean acids. — S.H. (12/31/2006)

Most Reviewed Designations

Lancel Creek Reserve Rockpile Road Vineyard

Most Reviewed Varietals

Sauvignon Blanc Zinfandel

2010 W.H. Smith

How can a wine be softly appealing and yet brisk in acidity at the same…

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