January 19, 2022 - ruby color; black fruit and forest floor on the nose; cigar box, blackberries, blueberries and white pepper up front with a very pleasant black currant ganache that lingers on the aftertaste. A hint of chocolate?
July 25, 2020 - Much lighter, less fruit and lower alcohol than a lot of Zins.
January 23, 2017 - On the nose - cherry, vanilla, herbal component. A touch of tomato leaf.
Drinks more like a pinot than a Zinfandel. Light, easy drinking. Mild across the board.
July 24, 2016 - really light for a zin
June 9, 2016 - Medium garnet color...legs form medium time, nice aroma of berry
Black pepper, light anise and cinnamon.... Palate is cinnamon berry flavors, enjoyable Zin that's on the restrained side...not a big jammy
Style but excellent....
January 31, 2016 - This was tasted as a vertical with the 2012. I liked the '11 better as it had a more brick red color and brighter aromas and palate highlighted by raspberry, cherry, white pepper and some herb. Good acidity which enhances if with food.
November 2, 2014 - Ok zin. A little flat for my liking and a very poor qpr, imo. I don't know what makes this an "interesting take" as it's a classy and correct zin, but it's way over priced.
August 2, 2014 - I'm a relative newbie to Zin...at least since I joined CT a year ago. Now I'm in the sophomore class, having developed a little better palate, worked on my vocabulary, and done my homework.
I'd heard zins were "hot," a trait that's not endearing to me. But this wine has 13.9% ABV.....a pleasant surprise. I'd also read that Napa zins could be full-bodied and fruity. I wouldn't put Storybook in that class. More of a light to medium body wine, with moderate fruit, noticeable acidity and some tannins. Those things should help its ageability (is that a Budweiser term? No, that's "drinkability") .....another trait not often found in a zin.
It's as if an Old World winemaker stole some cuttings from this, America's varietal, and put his fine wine-making touches to it. [I've read that primitivo is a close first cousin, so maybe zin is a sixth generation Italian-American wine].
As for reds, my preference remains the Rhone and Burgundy varietals. The American versions can be great when not too fruity or hot. But now I see there's reason to make room for a good zin in my wine cabinet.
January 4, 2014 - Delicious!
October 12, 2013 - Unusual for a zin. Lighter in body, but still ample in flavor. Only 13.9% in alcohol. Interesting take on zin.