December 1, 2019 - Errors
October 7, 2012 - Just okay. Lovely dark color, sweetish nose. a very pronounced core of dark fruit over simple tannins; really not much to this, just a mediocre red wine masquerading as a mid-level Zin. Lots of heat, both on the attack and on the finish. They make nice Pinot, but avoid this. Took this to my brother-in-law's birthday party and was embarassed by the comments.
August 12, 2010 - I liked this a lot. Very extracted. About ready do drink now, but may benefit from a bit more time.
July 28, 2010 - This is a concentrated yet very balanced zin. Lots of tobacco, dark dark cherry notes, dusty cocoa, hint at a Cali Cab character; rich, fuller than the RR Zin, and concentrated fruit, but not sweet.Really superb with a long finish.
March 23, 2010 - Still don't get this wine. More peppery than I remember and a very tough hot, acidic finish overpowereed the cherry fruit behind it. Color looked like pinot. I love their pinots. Am underwhelmed by their zins.
Didn't touch again until day three after being vaccum pumped. Vibbrant cherry fruit with better aciidty and a nice spicey,pepperiness. Add a few points for an 87. Note to self, decant for 6 hours next time.
December 4, 2009 - I opened this to compare to a recent 2005 Papapietro Perry Pauline's Vineyard Zin which I wasn't too wild about.This wine was also a bit of a disappointment. Another Cellartracker TN said that they would have guessed this as a Pinot Noir. I was thinking the same thing! It possessed an overbearing stemmy green character that I associate with young Oregon and Burgundy. In Pinot, that's not a bad thing. It's a signal to hold, but I can't say where this Russian River Valley Zin is going. Additional flavors of Christmas fruitcake with sour cherries, pine needles, and a hint of sage. A hot nose that also shows some sulfur. Light in body and a rather thin mouthfeel. Hold? Hurry up and drink? I really couldn't say but since I have one bottle of the the Pauline's and one of the Elsbree left and they're obviously not wonderful now, I'll wait and see if a few years in the cellar rounds them out. Next time, I will also pair with a tomato sauce.
November 15, 2009 - Mostly cherry fruit, but certainly lighter than a normal CA Zin. Not a lot of tannin either. Did have a fair amount of acidity. We had it with lasagna, and it made a good substitute for a light Italian red.
August 27, 2009 - Would have guessed pinot when I pured it. Color is relatively light. Nose has some berry fruit but there is a funkiness that I would associate with Brett, almost like opening a syrah with green vegetal notes and some barnyard funk. Not quite sure if it is my stle of zin. Hoping it will open up. Tight sour cherry finish. Not a lot of structure to the wine. Kinda of like a bowl of unripe cherries.
August 20, 2009 - I am glad that I read other reviews before opening this wine because it allowed me to enjoy the uniqueness of the wine without worrying about the varietal "abuse". In general we liked it both with and without food. No score given as I am not sure what it was supposed to be.
April 19, 2009 - Winery: More forward; herbal-oregano notes; menthol, earthy, rich and extracted but sooo good.