January 12, 2024 - Dark fruits, cassis, orange oil, pepper. Likely at peak.
November 20, 2023 - Though big wines like this aren't what I typically drink these days, this wine was really incredible and reminded me why I used to drink zins. Right from the PnP there was a prominent blueberry/red berry characteristic with vanilla and allspice follow and good acid backbone with a touch of tannin. Big and perhaps even jammy for sure, but not a fruit bomb because it was well balanced... more like an unapologetically fit and well dressed person; odd to see at the grocery but perfect for the red carpet. And so, it paired wonderfully with strip steak in herb butter and later with Rogue River Blue, but might be really terrible and out of place with pizza.
September 21, 2023 - Retains its full fruit and spice character, much as the previous notes a year ago. It is not chewy in texture, but the taste is rich with distinct flavors and makes a zesty impression.
July 22, 2023 - Frustrating. This bottle has been perfectly stored since arriving from the winery. Decanted 3/4 of the bottle 90 minutes. Served ~ 68F. Lots of pruney, raisiny aromas mixed with black fruits. Palate featured spicy black fruits with some very ripe plums. Alcohol predominated the finsh.
However, the non-decanted bit, sitting in opened bottle 90 + minutes, was lively, energetic with good balnced without being overdone. My 91 score gives this the benefit of the doubt.
Recommendation: DO NOT Decant. There is no sediment. Slow ox in glass will be plenty good enough to achieve maximum pleasure.
April 13, 2023 - Great wine! In a great drinking window now but can age at least another a three years. Decanted and let breath for two hours. Great moth feel with berry flavors and a dark chocolate nose.
January 8, 2023 - Black fruits, spice, nicely integrated oak, medium finish. Tasted again 1/29/24. Similar notes, but longer finish. Delicious! Upped score from 92 to 93.
December 11, 2022 - Purple in color. 15.9% ABV. Pretty nose of red fruits, kirsch and pepper. Medium body with perfect acidity. Impressive balance. Very rich and lush. Black cherry, raspberry liqueur, plums and pepper on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish. Outstanding Zinfandel that will drink well for another 1-2 years.
November 26, 2022 - Raisins overpower the flavor profile too much for me.
May 30, 2022 - Nose: rich fruit with oregano and rosemary. Very nice. Mouth: crackling raspberry and raisin, soft pepper notes and herbs. Vibrant.
March 20, 2022 - PnP. Nose of black raspberry, garrigue, and pine straw. Juicy, super-ripe palate of black raspberry and cherry with loads of acidity. When this was opened, it sat at the edge of being raisiny but with air that characteristic faded. The acidity provides drive into the finish of plum, black cherry, mint, pepper and long tannins and oak. Certainly opened up in the glass.