May 24, 2021 - Bought by AMcR at winery, cellared since release; part of Winos monthly tasting. // Blew away all the other older Zins in this flight (87 Ridge Dickerson, 87 Lytton Springs, both excellent but more advanced wines). Last night, and today, no evidence of being unbalanced despite 18% (!!!!) alcohol. A completely clean and unflawed wine, without any hint of volatility; magically, not hot. Even Ch-du-Pape has difficulty hiding the alcohol in its wines. Astounding. Comes across as balanced, fragrant, with authentic Zin flavor sets and unusual depth of flavor and elegance. A privilege to drink.
Next day: not quite as flamboyant as last night (95) but 92 today. No rush to drink but if it has been cellared well, a reference-point wine
February 15, 2020 - Had recently at Corkbuzz, very interesting bottle. Still drinking beautifully, but clearly would have been better 5 years ago. Still, has held up very well, we would have guessed it was an older CA Pinot or Grenache heavy Rhône. On the nose, lightly animal, light smoke, still some dark fruit, a hint of purple flowers. Evolved to become more peppery as it opened up. Could only drink about 3/4 of the bottle, too muddy beyond that even when filtered.
April 11, 2016 - Finest Provence Possible - Tasted at Winery.
Over the hill at this point, into the funky tomato-paste thing.
November 8, 2014 - This was "that bottle", the one in the cellar being saved for a "big" meal until it was old enough that it was too risky to open, so it sat there for a decade past its prime. Finally decanted and drank with hamburger, of all things. Brick red, a fair amount of sediment, but clear after decanting. Pipe tobacco and leather nose, fruit pretty faded, still pretty sharply acidic. Opened up a bit after a couple hours. Not unpleasant, which was surprising, but not much left. Where's a time machine when you need one? I remain convinced that highly extracted zins need to be drunk early, <5 years or so, tops. Your mileage may vary.
June 22, 2013 - Lovely nose of blackberry fruit with hints of leather, earth, and black pepper, more of the same on the palate, medium body, smooth and structured, medium/long finish. Overall impression is lovely wine to drink, definitely mature, and time to drink up.
February 14, 2013 - Nose of blackberry, black cherry, black pepper, saddle leather, wet earth, and allspice, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, mouth filling fruit, rich fruit, touch jammy, showing its age, suggest you drink up, lovely, finish that is long, long, long.
October 17, 2012 - Paired with Sorrento's Joes Special Meaty Pizza, lovely together, nose of blackberry, plum, allspice, and saddle leather, more of the same on the palate, big body, mouth filling Zinfandel fruit, rich fruit, complex, elegant for a Zinfandel, as big as the Pizza, well matched, lovely, long finish and flavorful aftertaste.
August 11, 2012 - Tasting of 3 Martinelli Jackass Hill from 1996, 1995, and 1997. Nose of blackberry, plum, cassis and saddle leather, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, time to drink up, long finish, flavorful aftertaste. My #1.
January 22, 2012 - Very nice bottle, albeit, it is on the downhill. Still a fair amount of fruit, but the lavors are becoming a bit muddled
December 8, 2011 - Third time tasting. Similar to my previous notes though seems to be on downward slide at this time.