Smooth and uncomplicated Zin with boysenberry taste. Deep red color. Went great with classic steak dinner (Bearnaise sauce) w sides of blue cheese dressed iceberg wedge salad and mixed buttery mushrooms. Good on the cellaring. 13.5 % alcohol only.
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As before, very soft with cherries, strawberry fruit and gentle spice. I am adding another note simply because this bottle is drinking surprisingly well for its age - better than the last one. Food-friendly acidity and pretty fair length. Still for drinking up, though, if you have any....
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I found a bottle tucked away and hoped it was not on the way down. Fair cherry fruit with hints of strawberry plus some spice. The acidity was quite pronounced on the mid/end palate. It opened a little in the glass but remained pretty ordinary, really. My fault for not drinking it earlier.
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On first opening, the nose and first taste offered raspberry fruit with a little late tannin ('tea'?). 3h after decanting, there was soft raspberry and dark cherry (almost maraschino) fruit. Some balancing acidity and gentle leathery notes. A soft and very attractive wine. Much better than our last bottle. went very well with a whole roast duck with pork and apricot stuffing. Ignore any suggestion that this should be drunk within 2-3 years. I have had many earlier vintages of this wine and have never drunk them at less than 5 years of age. (And never 'pop and pour' a red wine of any quality or interest (IMO of course)). It has life yet (if stored OK). Not one of the great Californian Zins but excellent, especially for the price. 88-89
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Good deep color, dar fruit/blackberry with a little black cherry on the nose and palate. Nice acidity. A bit thin towards the end. Generally prefer spicier more expressive Zins. Not a bad wine, both there are better choices out there.
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Good deep colour, sweet blackberry and cherry on the nose and palate. Reasonable cherry acidity. A bit thin towards the end. I normally keep Zin longer than this but will drink the rest of this case. Good basic Zin. Not expensive - quite good value. Good next day - soft and enjoyable.
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made cranberry sauce with this, it was awesome. Reduced sugar in recipe to 2/3 cup of each. http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Spiced-Cranberry-Sauce-with-Zinfandel-105838
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Nice everyday Zinfandel for 8 - 10 Euro ! Full body, nice acidity, taste of blackberries and black currants. Finish has some taste of vanilla, gets better after 30min. opening.
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11/15/13 - nose: nada - sad!; more fruity than green, as before, and with a chewy finish of black pepper, coke, and dark chocolate. Simple juice, pleasant but no sizzle -- but beggars can't be choosers in Japan's northern reaches
11/9/13 - 86 pts - another pour! nose: oak and cherry; taste: more fruity than green - happily! - with a finish which tastes of dark chocolate mixed with coke. Overall: happier thoughts this time -- offers casual taste and fun, and a decent QPR ($11/bottle).
10/17/13 - 84 pts - revisit: as before, nose offers minimal if dull scent of forest-in-the-distance oak; cherry taste - mostly fruity, but sadly a little green as well; overall - simple for sure! yet a whisker ahead of typical airplane beverage-cart plonk, reasonable if less than stellar QPR at $11/bottle
8/28/13 - Happy Labor Day weekend! Re-visit: serviceable quality and taste, yet too hot and tangy (vegetal, unripe fruit) to pass muster as a go-to BBQ pour.
8/11/13 - 86 points: color: dark purple; nose: faintest oak; taste: full-bodied cut-it-with-a-knife mouth feel, cherry-oak taste, medium-length finish of licorice and black pepper; overall: simple, fruity, balanced, and happy-tasting juice which should pair fine with grilled chicken or burgers - while it was a little hot, the wine exceeded my expectations for a value-priced pour. And it is available in Japan!
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Served at Company's dinner as table wine. Great value and no wastage. Colour is medium hue, smell of light oak and blackberries. Taste light and fruity.
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Decent enjoyable Zin for the price. Did not disappoint as some sub-$10 Zins have. Pleasant drinking for casual fare: pizza, burgers and such. Plum jam and wild cherry.
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Ole faithful. For $6 a bottle, you can't ask for more. Simple easy drinker that will never take the place of a real bottle, but its much more serviceable than other low cost bottles.
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Opened on a Saturday evening as a second bottle and wasn't real impressed. Very fruity on the nose. With a few sips, there is very little of the boldness expected from a Ravenswood Zin. Mostly fruit, bordering on sweet. No balance, no acid, no tannins.
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Ravenswood is making a name for it self with the Zinfandels that they have produced at a very reasonable price point. The 2011 vintners blend, has a very pleasant nose, with oak being fairly prominent. On the front it has some blackberry and cherry fruit some tartness, nice acidity and tannins to give it the full body that you want in a zinfandel. On the finish there is some cinnamon and slight taste of vanilla . fairly well balanced. This wine benefits from an aerator, or decanting. A really solid wine for the price of 10 - 12 dollars. if you can find for less, well worth it
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Very clean and solid. Not particularly concentrated, but tasty and enjoyable, especially considering the price. Rich purple color. The nose has some wet earth and sweat socks with mulberry, blueberry, and even a hint of sandalwood. There is a non typical amount of acid affecting the feel and flavor of fruit on the palate, suggesting a decanter, a vinturi, or some bottle age. There is alcohol, but we expect a Zin to have some heat. Air really helps. Black cherry finish
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3/2/2024 - Missus T Likes this wine: 88 Points
Smooth and uncomplicated Zin with boysenberry taste.
Deep red color.
Went great with classic steak dinner (Bearnaise sauce) w sides of blue cheese dressed iceberg wedge salad and mixed buttery mushrooms. Good on the cellaring.
13.5 % alcohol only.
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7/5/2021 - Miela Does not like this wine:
Na
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2/10/2019 - johnrm Likes this wine: 87 Points
As before, very soft with cherries, strawberry fruit and gentle spice. I am adding another note simply because this bottle is drinking surprisingly well for its age - better than the last one. Food-friendly acidity and pretty fair length. Still for drinking up, though, if you have any....
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10/27/2018 - johnrm wrote: 85 Points
I found a bottle tucked away and hoped it was not on the way down. Fair cherry fruit with hints of strawberry plus some spice. The acidity was quite pronounced on the mid/end palate. It opened a little in the glass but remained pretty ordinary, really. My fault for not drinking it earlier.
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3/20/2016 - Zab wrote: 80 Points
Un très bon rapport qualité-prix.
Très doux pour un Zinfandel. Court en bouche aussi, mais très agréable le temps qu'il y est.
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1/31/2016 - johnrm Likes this wine: 88 Points
On first opening, the nose and first taste offered raspberry fruit with a little late tannin ('tea'?). 3h after decanting, there was soft raspberry and dark cherry (almost maraschino) fruit. Some balancing acidity and gentle leathery notes. A soft and very attractive wine. Much better than our last bottle.
went very well with a whole roast duck with pork and apricot stuffing.
Ignore any suggestion that this should be drunk within 2-3 years. I have had many earlier vintages of this wine and have never drunk them at less than 5 years of age. (And never 'pop and pour' a red wine of any quality or interest (IMO of course)).
It has life yet (if stored OK). Not one of the great Californian Zins but excellent, especially for the price. 88-89
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12/17/2015 - pilatus88 wrote: 80 Points
No, not exciting. I used it to cook a good red wine risotto rather than drinking it and it worked well.
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12/2/2015 - williamswhine wrote: 87 Points
Good deep color, dar fruit/blackberry with a little black cherry on the nose and palate. Nice acidity. A bit thin towards the end. Generally prefer spicier more expressive Zins. Not a bad wine, both there are better choices out there.
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9/10/2015 - johnrm Likes this wine: 85 Points
Good deep colour, sweet blackberry and cherry on the nose and palate. Reasonable cherry acidity. A bit thin towards the end. I normally keep Zin longer than this but will drink the rest of this case.
Good basic Zin. Not expensive - quite good value.
Good next day - soft and enjoyable.
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5/26/2015 - adam78 Likes this wine: 85 Points
Boysenberry, cherry on nose. Earthy vanilla notes. Reminded me of a slightly watered port. Went well with a good steak.
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11/27/2014 - Evjoker wrote: 85 Points
Jammy but with too high of an alcohol sensation and too thin of a finish. Tart cherry. A little pepper and earth.
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7/2/2014 - john.matthewiv@gmail.com Likes this wine:
Typical good wine that works well with grilled meats. Should be part of my essential cellar.
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5/18/2014 - docjer wrote:
- Crimsom color with medium forming legs. It's somewhat balanced.
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4/7/2014 - SAND Likes this wine:
Medium deep ruby colour. Transparent.
Nose: Forward fruity. Blackberries, dark plums,
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3/17/2014 - john.matthewiv@gmail.com Likes this wine:
Great with pasta with meat sauce. House Zinfandel.
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2/16/2014 - SpiSan Likes this wine: 88 Points
same as first bottle -- no real change after additional months.
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2/16/2014 - tayls_81 wrote: 90 Points
Blackberry Juice
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1/29/2014 - Mspiggy wrote: 91 Points
aroma and taste of ripe berries.
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1/21/2014 - Der0505 wrote: 86 Points
Raspberry, cherry, pepper, slightly sweet
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12/23/2013 - Sakas wrote:
made cranberry sauce with this, it was awesome. Reduced sugar in recipe to 2/3 cup of each.
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Spiced-Cranberry-Sauce-with-Zinfandel-105838
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12/15/2013 - WineSteeler Likes this wine:
Bill Likes it just find for a $12 bottle of wine.
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11/30/2013 - Joerg65 Likes this wine: 87 Points
Nice everyday Zinfandel for 8 - 10 Euro ! Full body, nice acidity, taste of blackberries and black currants. Finish has some taste of vanilla, gets better after 30min. opening.
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10/26/2013 - Motz wrote: 84 Points
Inoffensive and uninteresting. A simple fruit bomb without fundamental flaws.
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10/20/2013 - Norm52 wrote:
Good table wine, can't go wrong with a$17 bottle even though it is light, medium body and fruity.
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10/17/2013 - Epic Tale Likes this wine: 84 Points
11/15/13 - nose: nada - sad!; more fruity than green, as before, and with a chewy finish of black pepper, coke, and dark chocolate. Simple juice, pleasant but no sizzle -- but beggars can't be choosers in Japan's northern reaches
11/9/13 - 86 pts - another pour! nose: oak and cherry; taste: more fruity than green - happily! - with a finish which tastes of dark chocolate mixed with coke. Overall: happier thoughts this time -- offers casual taste and fun, and a decent QPR ($11/bottle).
10/17/13 - 84 pts - revisit: as before, nose offers minimal if dull scent of forest-in-the-distance oak; cherry taste - mostly fruity, but sadly a little green as well; overall - simple for sure! yet a whisker ahead of typical airplane beverage-cart plonk, reasonable if less than stellar QPR at $11/bottle
8/28/13 - Happy Labor Day weekend! Re-visit: serviceable quality and taste, yet too hot and tangy (vegetal, unripe fruit) to pass muster as a go-to BBQ pour.
8/11/13 - 86 points: color: dark purple; nose: faintest oak; taste: full-bodied cut-it-with-a-knife mouth feel, cherry-oak taste, medium-length finish of licorice and black pepper; overall: simple, fruity, balanced, and happy-tasting juice which should pair fine with grilled chicken or burgers - while it was a little hot, the wine exceeded my expectations for a value-priced pour. And it is available in Japan!
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10/4/2013 - Norm52 wrote: 89 Points
Served at Company's dinner as table wine. Great value and no wastage. Colour is medium hue, smell of light oak and blackberries. Taste light and fruity.
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9/21/2013 - Birorganic Likes this wine: 88 Points
Bought at Macaroni Grill for$17.50, half price promo. Nice wine. Nothing special but not bad.
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9/21/2013 - Luvtexwine Likes this wine: 85 Points
Decent enjoyable Zin for the price. Did not disappoint as some sub-$10 Zins have. Pleasant drinking for casual fare: pizza, burgers and such. Plum jam and wild cherry.
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9/6/2013 - Kesslerc14 wrote: 82 Points
Ole faithful. For $6 a bottle, you can't ask for more. Simple easy drinker that will never take the place of a real bottle, but its much more serviceable than other low cost bottles.
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7/22/2013 - ericmca wrote: 90 Points
No flaws. Little character, but a pleasant enough sipping wine over a long conversation.
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6/23/2013 - Coleman wrote: 87 Points
Boysenberry and cherry. Pretty fruit, easy drinking, nice wine for the price.
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4/26/2013 - mmacphail wrote:
Good quaffing wine. Not amazing, but nice on a "man, a glass of wine would be great right now" kind of night. Tonight is that night.
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4/13/2013 - SpiSan Likes this wine: 88 Points
Lighter with more fresh fruit than expected but very good. Had more than enough tannins to enjoy with a BBQ beef steak.
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3/24/2013 - guccio Likes this wine: 87 Points
Arômes assez subtils.
Attaque assez neutre mais beaucoup de fruit par la suite (cerise rouge). Finale épicée assez intense, longueur moyenne.
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3/14/2013 - pilatus88 wrote: 79 Points
Sweet, mellow and very fruity but no structure or spice. Disapointing.
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3/2/2013 - RandomNeutral wrote: 74 Points
Opened on a Saturday evening as a second bottle and wasn't real impressed.
Very fruity on the nose. With a few sips, there is very little of the boldness expected from a Ravenswood Zin. Mostly fruit, bordering on sweet. No balance, no acid, no tannins.
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2/24/2013 - dr_astin wrote: 80 Points
too early?
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1/24/2013 - leatonmb Likes this wine: 88 Points
Ravenswood is making a name for it self with the Zinfandels that they have produced at a very reasonable price point. The 2011 vintners blend, has a very pleasant nose, with oak being fairly prominent. On the front it has some blackberry and cherry fruit some tartness, nice acidity and tannins to give it the full body that you want in a zinfandel. On the finish there is some cinnamon and slight taste of vanilla . fairly well balanced. This wine benefits from an aerator, or decanting. A really solid wine for the price of 10 - 12 dollars. if you can find for less, well worth it
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1/19/2013 - wtianseter Likes this wine: 84 Points
Heavy fruited solid zinfandel. The wine has a nice spice and good red and black fruit. Finish is mosly fruit. Quite easy drinkable wine
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12/25/2012 - Mike Kopanski wrote: 87 Points
Very clean and solid. Not particularly concentrated, but tasty and enjoyable, especially considering the price. Rich purple color. The nose has some wet earth and sweat socks with mulberry, blueberry, and even a hint of sandalwood. There is a non typical amount of acid affecting the feel and flavor of fruit on the palate, suggesting a decanter, a vinturi, or some bottle age. There is alcohol, but we expect a Zin to have some heat. Air really helps. Black cherry finish
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10/21/2012 - BalthazarVonBratwurst wrote: 87 Points
Nice for the price.
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9/16/2012 - hubas wrote: 86 Points
Lots of oak and fruit in the aroma.Darkberris perhaps a bit low in acidity but A very nice Zin
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