In Los Angeles, Dover Canyon Old Vine Zin is the #1 Wine of 2005

Dover Canyon 2003 Old Vine Zinfandel, Benito Dusi Vineyard is southern Los Angeles' number one wine of the year for 2005.

The Dover Canyon Old Vine Zinfandel was voted best wine of 2005 from a selection of 300 wines tasted by a panel.  The top ten selections were published in the Los Angeles Daily Breeze, Orange County Register, and the Beach Reporter, which covers oceanside communities like Manhattan Beach and Huntington Beach.  Panelist Chris Cognac said, "The best wine I have ever had."

Earlier in 2005, the Dover Canyon Old Vine Zin was also among the San Francisco Chronicle's top choices for old vine zin, and both Mary Baker of Dover Canyon and vineyard owner Benito Dusi were quoted in writer Blake Grey's accompanying article on farming old vine zinfandel. 

“Spicy aroma of chile, black pepper, red plum, graphite and earth. Also very spicy on the palate, but with bright red plum and raspberry fruit and hints of raisin, earth and graphite. From an 80-year-old vineyard still farmed every day by Benito Dusi, 72.”

We are currently sold out of the 2003 Old Vine Zinfandel; the next release--2004--will be available in March 2006.  We are so grateful for the great press this wine has received, particularly as it is among our favorite annual releases.  The Old Vine Zinfandel productions are limited releases of only 8 to 12 barrels; this wine always sells out in five months or less.

The Dusi Vineyard is actually called "Dusi Ranch," and encompasses three family properties.  The original 80-year-old vines planted by Benito's grandfather are still farmed by Beni himself.  His brother Dante Dusi owns the property across Highway 101, which contains a strip of 60-year-old vines, although most of the vineyard was ripped out in the 1960s and replanted about 15 years ago.  Benito's nephew Michael also owns an adjacent vineyard which is about 15 years old.  Most of the fruit is purchased by Ridge, with smaller lots traditionally going to local producers.

Beginning with the 2005 harvest, only Ridge and Dover Canyon will purchase fruit directly from Benito Dusi.

Chris Cognac has also become a fan of our purple powerhouse zinfandel, the "Cujo," and has vowed to introduce our wines to his culinary buddies and celebrity chefs Alton Brown and Mario Batali.  Chris is judging two episodes of the FoodTV competition series "Iron Chef" this month, and we'll be delivering some Dover Canyon wines to his hotel to share with fellow judges and chefs.  Thank you to everyone who tasted our wines and gave us a thumbs up!  What a great way to start a new year.

Comments

[Mike Duffy]

Nice post, Mary. Congratulations on being #1! As a "zin" person, I'll have to make a point of buying some of the next release of Old Vines.