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Most Likely To Succeed Perry Creek Vineyards 2007 Altitude: 2401 Zinfandel, Fair Play Farms Vineyard, El Dorado, Sierra Foothills ($28) It’s easy to quip that wines from Perry Creek reach great heights; after all, the label’s famed Zins are grown at the unusually high altitude of 2401 feet. A balanced microcli- mate and soils of decomposed granite have made Fair Play Farms Vineyard among the most respected in California for Zinfandel production. Perry Creek has taken advantage of its terroir, releasing a lovely reserve series, as well as Estate, “Cobra” and “Zinman” productions, the last being a reference to a mythical Gold Rush–era creature said to sprinkle “Zin dust” upon the vines of the Sierra Foothills. Whether you believe the legend or not, it is undeniable that there’s a bit of magic to the wines at Perry Creek. Probably the best vineyards in the Fair Play appellation in the Sierra Foothills, an Old World–style red, extremely ripe and and lushly earth-toned. Raspberry jam centered with a perfect line of acidity up the middle. Most Likely To Succeed Rancho Arroyo Grande 2007 Zinfandel, Arroyo Grande Valley ($45) Truly a family affair, Conway Family Wines is a labor of love for Chris and Ann Conway and their fi ve children. The Rancho Arroyo Grande wines are made from three estate vineyards totaling more than 200 acres, set amid some of California’s most beautiful coastal scen- ery—a rugged landscape where wildlife, vines and humans interact in a natural way. The soil is rich in fossil shells that give the wines a distinct terroir and prove that this appella- tion can produce some of America’s fi nest and most distinctive varietals. Dense and bursting with blackberry and cassis; juicy and balanced with great depth and concentration; sweet, spicy and ripe but nicely structured. CONWAY FAMILY WINES Most Likely To Succeed Tercero Wines 2007 Syrah, Larner Vineyard, Santa Ynez Valley ($28) Talk about a leap of faith. When Larry Schaffer felt that it was time to move on to a new career after spending years in trade publishing sales, his wife Christie MacDonald suggested that he give winemaking a try, fully aware that it would require a return to school for her husband, and some diffi cult years spent multi-tasking while raising three children. Fast forward to 2010, and this husband and wife duo have proven that dreams really do come true, releasing their own wines under the Tercero label, with grapes sourced from the leading vineyards throughout Santa Barbara County. We see bright things for this brave pair, who’ve advanced beyond the “wing and a prayer” method. Round and Rhône-y, violets and blueberries mingle with a touch of pepper and spice. Truly noteworthy. december 2010 / the tasting panel / 47