Way too much alcohol, and muted flavors. There wasn't much to work with here. It was paired with a gently cooked pork (taragon, cherry tomatoes alongside) and a braised squid. Worked well with the foods (aside from being way too hot).
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A bit muted perhaps, but very drinkable and paired well with a spicy red pasta meal. Vanilla and fruit with little alcohol or tannin aftertaste. Pleasant finish.
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Nose is really popping right now. 20m bottle open, 5 min in the glass. Smells of tobacco, blueberries, currant, lilac, smoke, peppermint.
Hits the front palate with a sweet frutiness, moves into minerality, spice, and strong meaty tannins with a lengthy finish that focuses on fruit and spice. After about 30m it really starts to hit it's zin stride. Hints of vanilla on the mid palate, plenty of pepper, and a finish that really sings to red fruits. Went perfectly with turkey lasagna. So much better than I remember it. Maybe it was the low expectations?
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Disappointing is the best word for this wine. Not bad, but did not compare favorably with even less expensive Zins on hand. More heat, less finish, and less pronounced flavor profile. Would not buy again at the same price.
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Nose is strong, sweet dark fruit almost like candy, with some vanilla peeking through. The palate is characteristic vanilla again, dark ripe cherry, oak, and slight spice. Great acidity, decent mouthfeel (slightly disappointing for SB), and a 20 sec finish. Opaque purple crimson in the glass. Pretty good. 1 hr decant. Honestly my least favorite SB I've tried. Slightly disappointed. 88
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Disappointing wine for me. Chocolate and berries on the nose and palate. Nice mouthfeel, but no finish, a little hot, and it kind of falls apart after three hours. I think the wine making skills are there, but the fruit just ins't for this vintage.
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Couldn't wait any longer to break into a bottle, and I was not disappointed. Still slightly hot. Will definitely mellow with a little time. Not one of the fruit bomb zins I have been drinking lately. Refined and composed. Definitely decant and reap the rewards of this delicious zin.
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10/15/2018 - TowerCellar Does not like this wine: 82 Points
Way too much alcohol, and muted flavors. There wasn't much to work with here. It was paired with a gently cooked pork (taragon, cherry tomatoes alongside) and a braised squid. Worked well with the foods (aside from being way too hot).
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12/24/2013 - srwatters wrote: 89 Points
A bit muted perhaps, but very drinkable and paired well with a spicy red pasta meal. Vanilla and fruit with little alcohol or tannin aftertaste. Pleasant finish.
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9/26/2013 - Furry Goat Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nose is really popping right now. 20m bottle open, 5 min in the glass. Smells of tobacco, blueberries, currant, lilac, smoke, peppermint.
Hits the front palate with a sweet frutiness, moves into minerality, spice, and strong meaty tannins with a lengthy finish that focuses on fruit and spice. After about 30m it really starts to hit it's zin stride. Hints of vanilla on the mid palate, plenty of pepper, and a finish that really sings to red fruits. Went perfectly with turkey lasagna. So much better than I remember it. Maybe it was the low expectations?
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12/21/2012 - RStewart67 wrote: 86 Points
Disappointing is the best word for this wine. Not bad, but did not compare favorably with even less expensive Zins on hand. More heat, less finish, and less pronounced flavor profile. Would not buy again at the same price.
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12/19/2012 - Furry Goat wrote: 88 Points
Nose is strong, sweet dark fruit almost like candy, with some vanilla peeking through. The palate is characteristic vanilla again, dark ripe cherry, oak, and slight spice. Great acidity, decent mouthfeel (slightly disappointing for SB), and a 20 sec finish. Opaque purple crimson in the glass. Pretty good. 1 hr decant. Honestly my least favorite SB I've tried. Slightly disappointed. 88
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10/10/2012 - mbmiche wrote: 89 Points
Better on day 2. Still plenty of life left in this one. Lots of heat on day one that went away and let the berry and spice shine on day 2.
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9/15/2012 - KyleMittskus wrote: 86 Points
Disappointing wine for me. Chocolate and berries on the nose and palate. Nice mouthfeel, but no finish, a little hot, and it kind of falls apart after three hours. I think the wine making skills are there, but the fruit just ins't for this vintage.
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6/18/2012 - jackal4eva wrote: 85 Points
cocoa on the nose and palate. High tannin. Deep black fruit.
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2/26/2012 - GlassHalfFull wrote: 90 Points
Dark purple. Full bodied, with rich fruit and firm tannins in midpalate. Medium finish. Drinks well with a short decant.
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8/12/2011 - TeachUsWine wrote:
Smooth and delicious. Everyone loved it
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4/4/2011 - mbmiche wrote: 91 Points
Couldn't wait any longer to break into a bottle, and I was not disappointed. Still slightly hot. Will definitely mellow with a little time. Not one of the fruit bomb zins I have been drinking lately. Refined and composed. Definitely decant and reap the rewards of this delicious zin.
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