The mediocre 1997 Zinfandel Contra Costa is a soft, uninteresting effort with barely adequate fruit. It should be drunk over the next year. Tel. (510) 865-7007

This wine exhibits a dark ruby color with purple nuances, as well as dusty, earthy notes in a moderately intense, peppery, berry-scented nose. In the mouth, there is good roundness, ripe fruit, and medium body. While there is not a great deal of depth behind the initial attack, there is an attractive, expansive, superficial mouthfeel. It should drink well over the next 2-3 years.Rosenblum's 1996s are consistently successful. They reflect the short, hot growing season as they do not possess very much length. Therefore, no matter how big they might be, they are best consumed over the next 2-3 years. Tel. (510) 865-7007

Zinfandel enthusiasts have long admired the amazing job Rosenblum Cellars does with such a diverse array of Zinfandel grapes. In 1994, Rosenblum has again hit the jackpot with a bevy of textbook Zinfandels.The 1994 Zinfandel Contra Costa is dark ruby-colored with purple tints. It offers up an earthy, curranty, peppery, raspberry-scented nose, fine ripeness, a monolithic character, and a chunky, husky finish. While it is neither as flattering nor as ripe as the N.V. Vintner's Cuvee, it is a very good Zinfandel that admirably expresses the Contra Costa soils. NOTE: All the wines in this article were tasted in May, 1996.Tel. (510) 865-7007

The 1992 Zinfandel Contra Costa is also an attractively priced, well made wine. Its dark ruby color is followed by a big, sweet, black-raspberry-scented nose, a velvety texture, and heady alcohol and juicy, chewy glycerin in the finish. Drink it over the next 5-6 years. Tel. (415) 865-7007

Rosenblum Cellars continues to rank among California's leading Zinfandel producers. In 1991 they have increased the size of their Zinfandel portfolio without any diminution of quality. The 1991 Zinfandel from Contra Costa reveals a plummy color, a big, spicy, cinnamon and pepper-scented nose, dense, chewy, full-bodied flavors, and plenty of extract and glycerin. With its husky mouthfeel, it is ideal for drinking over the next 5-6 years.