WTN: 1996 Lava Cap Sierra Foothills Zinfandel

[docsconz]

I have yet to be disappointed by any Lava Capwine. Their zins, in particular, are extraordinary and to me the essence of what a zin is. The 1996 is drinking beautifully with a cornucopia of fruit well balanced by acid and tannin. It is a big wine, but married nicely with heritage pork tenderloin with garlic and rosemary, sauteed snow peas and a tomatoe salad with basil, S&P and EVOO and Bobolink cheese. While I am not good about describing the nuance flavors in a wine, this had good complexity along with a nice long finish. Both my wife and I were sorry when the bottle was finished as we were both looking for more.

Anyone else here have any experience with Lava Cap. I think they are one of the most under-rated and therefore best values in California wine.

[FoodZealot]

I'm a big fan of Lava Cap as well. My former roommate, who is now becoming a sommelier, turned me onto it. I have only had zins of theirs from 2 different years, but I don't recall which. '96 may very well have been one of them. I'm not so fluent describing wine, but I remember them as being fairly concentrated, having good mature fruit and spice, but not overly tannic.

~Tad

[redwinegulper]

Sorry to be on the other side of the fence. I found their wines not particularly well balanced. I think they were striving for big, but perhaps fell short on the fruit. I must say I have only tried one or two vintages.

[docsconz]

Sorry to be on the other side of the fence. I found their wines not particularly well balanced. I think they were striving for big, but perhaps fell short on the fruit. I must say I have only tried one or two vintages.

The fruit is I think their biggest strength. Which wines did you try. Their zins and syrahs are best IMO. The Petite syrah and muscat canelli are also excellent. I am slightly less enraptured of their cab and merlot although they are still good. All the wines are good values, though not as much as they used to be.