Fritz

As I've likely mentioned in the past, Fritz is a regular stop when we're in Sonoma County. In earnest, we really like the wines here, the people are very personable, and the value of the wines are just right (not too cheap, not too expensive). When you return to a place year after year (albeit once or twice in that span) and the winemaker and tasting room staff recognizes you, why wouldn't you make a point to return every time? Of course, it's a lot easier to plan the stop when you have to pick up the futures from the year before (Lost Canyon Pinot, this year).

2009 Estate Reserve Zinfandel (Futures) : $192/$186/-

Very green but rich in color, texture. I'm almost always up for a half-case of Fritz Zinfandels (as evidenced by the verticals in my cellar), but it was hard to make the leap past the youth of this wine in the barrel. We're talking about 6 months in the barrel... I have faith that they'll produce a good wine. (half case purchased)

2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown (Futures): $240/$210

Blended with 6% Malbec. Good tannins; medium bodied with notes of black currant and a tart prune (as if there was such a thing). (half case purchased)

2007 Lost Canyon Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Saralee's Vineyard

You'll want to let this sit in the glass a bit, but opens to a nice fruit (subtle) and a lot of spice.

2007 Vino Valpredo Squeezebox Red

After everything we'd just had, this had a nice nose, but a bland palate.

2006 Estate Zinfandel

Truffles on the nose (unusual for their zinfandel) like you'd find on a petite verdot with just a touch of anise (very characteristic).

2007 Estate Reserve Zinfandel : $37/$30/-

Good zinfandel. It's nice to see them building distinctions in their offerings (adding Reserves for the more discriminating tastes/wallets). (half case)

2006 Cabernet Sauvignon: $35/$28/$30

Light to medium bodied. Bland palate.

2007 Late Harvest Zinfandel: $35/$28/$22

Good flavor with a rich body and strong fruit. The only aggravation I have with dessert wines is that, over the last five years, their price points have climbed faster than other wines. That's not an indictment on this wine, but just late harvest/port wines, in general.

2006 Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Weak, nice nose, but not all there. I suspect that tasting this after the late harvest zinfandel didn't do it justice. This is usually one of my favored cabs in Sonoma County.