Unusually light color for a Zin - watery ruby color. A little thin tasting as well - not a typical full-bodied syrupy Zin. Typical aromas and flavors of blackberry, black cherry, bramble, pepper. Also smoky oak. The restaurant served this way too warm, which heightened the alcohol level and made it taste thinner. I initially didn't care for it because of the heat and harsh oaky flavor. But after cooling a bit and tasting it some more, it grew on me a bit. I like the lighter body.
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Interesting zin. A little hot and unbalanced, but with a really unique smoky, bramble flavor. I don't think I have ever had that flavor profile in a zin.
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Great QPR! I love it when I can find something in this price range that drinks so well. Lots of vanilla on the nose, lots of fruit, and a bright finish. Will definitely buy more.
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This is this first zinfandel I've had in years, and was chosen to accompany food; in this case, a mild lamb curry. PnP, I was expecting this dark syruppy thing, but it was actually cherry red with only tinges of violet. The nose was quite hot at first, but this calmed down quickly, and evolved rapidly as other reviewers have noted. An initial bouquet of mint and cherry developed into more confectionary aromas of black forest cake and all spice. On the palate there was a distinct oakiness supporting cherries and candy with a touch of smoke. Good length. This felt sweeter after each mouthful; what passed for poise and balance when opened soon turned somewhat flabby. This worked well with the dish, although an off-dry vouvray would have been classier, I feel. I can't imagine drinking this without food. But it was all the same an interesting drinking experience to recommend.
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This is a big, chewy, dark, and brooding Zin. If you like that style, you will like this. Loads of black pepper, blackberry, black licorice in the aromas and flavors. Drying tannins.
This is not what I expected. A lot more than just upfront fruit, there is a considerable amount of structure and body. I also think we drank this a little too young, as the flavor profile changed considerably as we drank down the glass. The viscosity and mouth feel is quite rich for a Zin, it is nice and chewy. The color is that almost, but not quite opaque purple. I got some molasses on the nose, which was somewhat confusing, maybe I was getting some lees? I really expected more uninhibited black fruit, which finally appeared toward the bottom of the glass with a rich buttered blueberry. I think early on, the oak and the lees masked the fruit. Probably not as much balancing acid as optimal. Silky, dry little tannins that could help while aging. Not exactly my favorite style of Zin, but still well made and quite tasty.
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Surprisingly structured; big bodied with a talcy texture; ripe black and blue fruit, peppercorn and eucalyptus, licorice and graphite, herbs and spice; a trace of rubber; dry, minerally finish. Pleasant.
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5/1/2014 - budh wrote: 87 Points
Unusually light color for a Zin - watery ruby color. A little thin tasting as well - not a typical full-bodied syrupy Zin. Typical aromas and flavors of blackberry, black cherry, bramble, pepper. Also smoky oak. The restaurant served this way too warm, which heightened the alcohol level and made it taste thinner. I initially didn't care for it because of the heat and harsh oaky flavor. But after cooling a bit and tasting it some more, it grew on me a bit. I like the lighter body.
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2/7/2014 - Mootsie Likes this wine: 88 Points
Interesting zin. A little hot and unbalanced, but with a really unique smoky, bramble flavor. I don't think I have ever had that flavor profile in a zin.
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12/1/2013 - Dan & Krista Stockman Likes this wine: 89 Points
Jammy. Fairly simple, but big and bold with gobs of fruit.
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9/3/2013 - cucycling Likes this wine: 88 Points
a very lite wine a little peppery, no fruit bomb here. A nice pizza pasta simple dinner wine. Great QPR
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7/28/2013 - vinchanter wrote: 88 Points
a little hot at first, jam and wood, anise, tannins after sitting a bit. sweetness was balanced & enjoyable lingering finish
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6/5/2013 - cestes Likes this wine: 87 Points
Great QPR! I love it when I can find something in this price range that drinks so well. Lots of vanilla on the nose, lots of fruit, and a bright finish. Will definitely buy more.
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4/20/2013 - stressedjess Likes this wine: 87 Points
Color: Ruby red, with subtly blue cast
Nose: Blackberry, prune, jam, wet mulch, bark, and alcohol
Taste: Raspberry, blackberry, raisin, fig, prune, nutty, and earthy
Body: Medium
Texture: Smooth
Finish: Short-Medium
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4/1/2013 - apnetmedic wrote: 89 Points
Big fan. Especially for the price
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3/20/2013 - tareus Likes this wine:
This is this first zinfandel I've had in years, and was chosen to accompany food; in this case, a mild lamb curry. PnP, I was expecting this dark syruppy thing, but it was actually cherry red with only tinges of violet. The nose was quite hot at first, but this calmed down quickly, and evolved rapidly as other reviewers have noted. An initial bouquet of mint and cherry developed into more confectionary aromas of black forest cake and all spice. On the palate there was a distinct oakiness supporting cherries and candy with a touch of smoke. Good length. This felt sweeter after each mouthful; what passed for poise and balance when opened soon turned somewhat flabby. This worked well with the dish, although an off-dry vouvray would have been classier, I feel. I can't imagine drinking this without food. But it was all the same an interesting drinking experience to recommend.
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3/17/2013 - apardoe Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very satisfying zin.
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1/14/2013 - libertygirl78 wrote: 94 Points
Better without aerator. Bold and luscious.
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12/31/2012 - davewr Likes this wine: 90 Points
very nice smokey zin. good front and mid palate and moderate finish.
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12/18/2012 - drdebs Likes this wine: 88 Points
This is a big, chewy, dark, and brooding Zin. If you like that style, you will like this. Loads of black pepper, blackberry, black licorice in the aromas and flavors. Drying tannins.
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10/24/2012 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 88 Points
This is not what I expected. A lot more than just upfront fruit, there is a considerable amount of structure and body. I also think we drank this a little too young, as the flavor profile changed considerably as we drank down the glass. The viscosity and mouth feel is quite rich for a Zin, it is nice and chewy. The color is that almost, but not quite opaque purple. I got some molasses on the nose, which was somewhat confusing, maybe I was getting some lees? I really expected more uninhibited black fruit, which finally appeared toward the bottom of the glass with a rich buttered blueberry. I think early on, the oak and the lees masked the fruit. Probably not as much balancing acid as optimal. Silky, dry little tannins that could help while aging. Not exactly my favorite style of Zin, but still well made and quite tasty.
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10/19/2012 - tswichert wrote: 88 Points
Nice wine for the price. A bit fruity as Zins go. Definitely still very young and lacks structure at this point.
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7/28/2012 - Baron Slick wrote: 87 Points
Surprisingly structured; big bodied with a talcy texture; ripe black and blue fruit, peppercorn and eucalyptus, licorice and graphite, herbs and spice; a trace of rubber; dry, minerally finish. Pleasant.
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