I don't know, Martinelli zins just aren't doing it for me anymore, so maybe it's me. But this seemed overwhelming in sweetness and cough syrup out of the bottle. Calmed down a little bit over time, but never hit that profile I prefer from other big boys like Turley and Carlisle.
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From magnum. When first opened, this wine had a nose of prunes that was too much for my taste. After the bottle was allowed to breath for a couple of hours, the prune nose dissipated and the wine improved significantly but still not to the level that one expects from a Martinelli zinfandel. IMO, time to drink up.
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Though this bottle had some similar characteristics to the bottle opened 7 months ago (93), this one came across as just average at best, with little complexity, and a little off in the nose. Ok wine but nothing special, very disappointing! I'll leave it at that...
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Deep purple color with a bouquet and flavor that has become a bit raisiny. Very high alcohol content that is not completely integrated. I am less of a fan of these monster Zinfandels than in the past. They are more interesting than compelling.
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Big fruit in the nose and flavor. Nose of raspberries, black cherries, currants, and hints of earthiness. Raspberries, black cherries, plums, and licorice in the flavor. Full bodied wine with nice balance, and a medium to long finish. There was absolutely no sign of the 16.5% alcohol. Very nice...
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In its prime now. Beautiful fruits, earth, mushroom, deep ruby color. Delicious. Drank with friends at Mediterranean restaurant in Palo Alto CA. Perfect match for all the grilled kabobs and skewers, olives, fetas, etc.
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PNP and consumed over three hours. I noted 3 years ago that this was "smooth" and that really applies now with no tannic bite or dryness. Dark fruits, slightly oaky, vanilla, and subtle all spice. Very enjoyable and ready to drink now. For us, this is 92-93 pointer.
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Ruby colored with a hint of magenta. The aroma leans toward musky fruit, with black raspberry and deeply buried thyme, monarda (bee balm), and a hint of mint. With aeration in the mouth, I get raspberry infused ganache, with very clean black pepper notes. It's a big, Figgy, silky tannined wine.
Pair with something roasted, or salty.
Provenance: from vineyard store release, stored at 50-60ºF since aquired.
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Two hour decant. Consumed over three hours. At 16.5% alcohol it's a bit "hot" but otherwise wonderful. Super dark fruit flavors, reasonable balance, long and smooth finish. A personal favorite and scoring in the 93-94 range.
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Popped and poured...haven't had this wine in about a year. Overwhelmed by the spicy, herbaceous nose and palate. Deep dark berries on the nose, along with menthol, anise and a hint of chocolate. Exotic flavors of cassis, in an almost almost syrupy amalgam, round out the experience. Unique and delicious.
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I was disappointed in two earlier bottles of this wine. This one, unfortunately my last, was much better. Balanced and sophisticated.....not overly fruity as is often the case with a zin. Perhaps it needed some time on the shelf.
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Lots of deep savory fruit and tannins that dig in a bit, not too deep though. Very ripe, and no candy, which I like. Wines that have sugar are for dessert, like old port, and Sauternes, and Tokaj balanced by vibrant acidity. This one had a dry ripe fruit that was present without the sweat sugar because it didn't need it.
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Took to an Italian restaurant . PNP. Very nice Zin, well crafted, complex but not jammy. Was better with time in the decanter, we did decant it, and paired well with their red sauce and a spicy cream sauce. I think some of the Carlisle Zins that I have had recently are a touch brighter and have a little more complexity. Similar style overall however.
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- Crimsom color - Loads of cherry, raspberry, and blackberry on the nose with a clear black licorice note underneath. Very nice. Very balanced on the tongue with a slight sweetness and counterbalancing acidity. Nice fruit continues on the palette. Exceeds expectations.
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Atypically lightweight zin. Medium red, Pinot-like color, bright berry fruit with not much behind it. Time didn't help. Not a bad wine, but pretty much the exact opposite of the usual G&L.
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A lot of heat out of the bottle, but some of the Martinelli Giuseppe blueberry and raisin-like funk eventually came out after really searching for it. I would think these need at least a few more years to settle down, and hopefully worth the wait like other vintages.
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Medium-dark ruby purple. Short of opaque. Great viscosity. Ripe fruit, boisenberry, but quite disappointing because it sorely lacks the exotic complexity every other vintage of this wine has always had. Same complaint on the palate. Flabby and alcoholic. What have they done to my favorite zin? 4-11-13-6: 84/100.
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Super effort. Great combo of fruit and balance. Mild tannins. If you have some in your cellar and you have not tasted yet, you really need to pull a cork. Wonderful wine.
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I really like this wine. The review by "corndoggydogg" is spot on. Wonderful balance with super subtle tannins and enough fruit to call it "fruity" but not over the top. Excellent wine but especially so considering all the horror stories surrounding the 2011 vintage.
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Outstanding effort once again by Martinelli. Well balanced, not too hot given the high alcohol, and a silky mouth feel that just coats the mouth. Subtle tannins provide nice structure. Tons of complexity...plum, cherry jolly rancher, spice, brown sugar, even a bit of french "funk" that I have never gotten from a zinfandel. My experience was different from a prior reviewer who called it jammy. I don't like jammy zins and did not find this to be jammy. Excellent, lingering finish. I had a 2005 recently and I found it to be an epic wine, and I anticipate this will be much like the 2005 in a few years. Not sure it should be put in the cellar quite that long, but this drinks outstanding now and will be even better in 2-3 years. I'd say drink by 2016.
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Purple-magenta. Great viscosity. Fine, effusive berry and lavender nose. Typical for this wine. Tremendous velvety yet viscous mouthfeel. Lovely rich fruit. Purple fruit. A classic G & L. Long finish. Clearly high alcohol, but it doesn't detract in any way. 4-12-17-9: 92/100.
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Did not have the same experience as other reviewers. The bottle I had was not full bodied and fruit forward, as I expect from a zin. Would describe it as "thin." Not a lot going on. Could have been a bad bottle, but that does not seem too likley with such a young wine.
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3/25/2021 - levinml wrote: 89 Points
I don't know, Martinelli zins just aren't doing it for me anymore, so maybe it's me. But this seemed overwhelming in sweetness and cough syrup out of the bottle. Calmed down a little bit over time, but never hit that profile I prefer from other big boys like Turley and Carlisle.
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1/2/2021 - Forklifts11 wrote: 92 Points
Rich, fruity and a little spicy. A perfect Zin.
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9/14/2019 - M DU VIN wrote: 89 Points
From magnum. When first opened, this wine had a nose of prunes that was too much for my taste. After the bottle was allowed to breath for a couple of hours, the prune nose dissipated and the wine improved significantly but still not to the level that one expects from a Martinelli zinfandel. IMO, time to drink up.
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10/20/2018 - buckeye76 wrote: 89 Points
Though this bottle had some similar characteristics to the bottle opened 7 months ago (93), this one came across as just average at best, with little complexity, and a little off in the nose. Ok wine but nothing special, very disappointing! I'll leave it at that...
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5/13/2018 - tcosgriff wrote: 86 Points
Deep purple color with a bouquet and flavor that has become a bit raisiny. Very high alcohol content that is not completely integrated.
I am less of a fan of these monster Zinfandels than in the past.
They are more interesting than compelling.
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3/18/2018 - buckeye76 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Big fruit in the nose and flavor. Nose of raspberries, black cherries, currants, and hints of earthiness. Raspberries, black cherries, plums, and licorice in the flavor. Full bodied wine with nice balance, and a medium to long finish. There was absolutely no sign of the 16.5% alcohol. Very nice...
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2/4/2018 - levinml wrote: 91 Points
Drank at Out-of-its during Super Bowl with Q39 BBQ. Big, hot, fruity zin. Calmed down after about an hour. Nice but a hair hot for me.
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1/20/2018 - JSolo wrote: 92 Points
G&L zin is consistently very good.
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1/7/2018 - e-r.portzline Likes this wine: 93 Points
In its prime now. Beautiful fruits, earth, mushroom, deep ruby color. Delicious. Drank with friends at Mediterranean restaurant in Palo Alto CA. Perfect match for all the grilled kabobs and skewers, olives, fetas, etc.
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9/30/2017 - kstroble Likes this wine: 92 Points
Lively bright fruit
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9/2/2017 - rpenn77 wrote: 92 Points
Rich fruity zin.
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2/2/2017 - RobbieC Likes this wine:
PNP and consumed over three hours. I noted 3 years ago that this was "smooth" and that really applies now with no tannic bite or dryness. Dark fruits, slightly oaky, vanilla, and subtle all spice. Very enjoyable and ready to drink now. For us, this is 92-93 pointer.
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1/12/2017 - Roentgen Ray Likes this wine: 92 Points
Ruby colored with a hint of magenta.
The aroma leans toward musky fruit, with black raspberry and deeply buried thyme, monarda (bee balm), and a hint of mint.
With aeration in the mouth, I get raspberry infused ganache, with very clean black pepper notes.
It's a big, Figgy, silky tannined wine.
Pair with something roasted, or salty.
Provenance: from vineyard store release, stored at 50-60ºF since aquired.
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10/23/2016 - JSolo Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drank with ravioli and spaghetti with Italian spinach. Seems like it is ready to drink now.
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7/24/2016 - sbern Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking beautifully now. Delicious.
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5/9/2016 - bemeyer wrote:
Fruit dissapating a bit. Did not hold up the second night. Drink now
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4/23/2016 - Ridgerunner Likes this wine: 92 Points
A lot of life left. Classic Martinelli Zinfandel.
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3/1/2016 - rpenn77 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Fruity but nicely concentrated with a long finish. Yum.
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12/19/2015 - RobbieC Likes this wine:
Two hour decant. Consumed over three hours. At 16.5% alcohol it's a bit "hot" but otherwise wonderful. Super dark fruit flavors, reasonable balance, long and smooth finish. A personal favorite and scoring in the 93-94 range.
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12/18/2015 - Deb293 wrote: 92 Points
Popped and poured...haven't had this wine in about a year. Overwhelmed by the spicy, herbaceous nose and palate. Deep dark berries on the nose, along with menthol, anise and a hint of chocolate. Exotic flavors of cassis, in an almost almost syrupy amalgam, round out the experience. Unique and delicious.
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10/7/2015 - WineGuyFL Likes this wine: 92 Points
I was disappointed in two earlier bottles of this wine. This one, unfortunately my last, was much better. Balanced and sophisticated.....not overly fruity as is often the case with a zin. Perhaps it needed some time on the shelf.
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8/29/2015 - Robertpthomasjr@gmail.com Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted two hours - alcohol subsided significantly between the open and drinking after decanting.
Wet earth, cherries, plum on the nose.
Light tannins, good structure, surprisingly good long finish. Alcohol level balanced nicely and not overpowering with fruit.
Good now.
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8/23/2015 - Roentgen Ray Likes this wine: 92 Points
Lots of deep savory fruit and tannins that dig in a bit, not too deep though. Very ripe, and no candy, which I like. Wines that have sugar are for dessert, like old port, and Sauternes, and Tokaj balanced by vibrant acidity. This one had a dry ripe fruit that was present without the sweat sugar because it didn't need it.
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5/24/2015 - rustyRudy Likes this wine: 92 Points
Took to an Italian restaurant . PNP. Very nice Zin, well crafted, complex but not jammy. Was better with time in the decanter, we did decant it, and paired well with their red sauce and a spicy cream sauce. I think some of the Carlisle Zins that I have had recently are a touch brighter and have a little more complexity. Similar style overall however.
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3/5/2015 - rougeamore wrote: 93 Points
- Crimsom color - Loads of cherry, raspberry, and blackberry on the nose with a clear black licorice note underneath. Very nice. Very balanced on the tongue with a slight sweetness and counterbalancing acidity. Nice fruit continues on the palette. Exceeds expectations.
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12/19/2014 - twoamps Does not like this wine: 86 Points
Atypically lightweight zin. Medium red, Pinot-like color, bright berry fruit with not much behind it. Time didn't help. Not a bad wine, but pretty much the exact opposite of the usual G&L.
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9/5/2014 - dutradan@msn.com Likes this wine: 92 Points
Big badass fruit bomb. Balanced and alcohol is in check
Drinking great right now and over the next few years I would guess
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7/18/2014 - MMiazga wrote: 90 Points
A lot of heat out of the bottle, but some of the Martinelli Giuseppe blueberry and raisin-like funk eventually came out after really searching for it. I would think these need at least a few more years to settle down, and hopefully worth the wait like other vintages.
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5/31/2014 - MicklethePickle wrote: 84 Points
Medium-dark ruby purple. Short of opaque. Great viscosity. Ripe fruit, boisenberry, but quite disappointing because it sorely lacks the exotic complexity every other vintage of this wine has always had. Same complaint on the palate. Flabby and alcoholic. What have they done to my favorite zin? 4-11-13-6: 84/100.
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5/3/2014 - BodegaMateo wrote: 91 Points
Elegant and soft for a Zin. Much lighter than norm.
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4/25/2014 - gew71walsh wrote: 88 Points
High alcohol, but it is not hot. Probably drank a little young. Fruits are forward, with some spiciness to them.
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3/18/2014 - RobbieC wrote: 93 Points
Super effort. Great combo of fruit and balance. Mild tannins. If you have some in your cellar and you have not tasted yet, you really need to pull a cork. Wonderful wine.
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12/30/2013 - RobbieC wrote: 93 Points
I really like this wine. The review by "corndoggydogg" is spot on. Wonderful balance with super subtle tannins and enough fruit to call it "fruity" but not over the top. Excellent wine but especially so considering all the horror stories surrounding the 2011 vintage.
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12/9/2013 - CornDoggyDogg Likes this wine: 94 Points
Outstanding effort once again by Martinelli. Well balanced, not too hot given the high alcohol, and a silky mouth feel that just coats the mouth. Subtle tannins provide nice structure. Tons of complexity...plum, cherry jolly rancher, spice, brown sugar, even a bit of french "funk" that I have never gotten from a zinfandel. My experience was different from a prior reviewer who called it jammy. I don't like jammy zins and did not find this to be jammy. Excellent, lingering finish. I had a 2005 recently and I found it to be an epic wine, and I anticipate this will be much like the 2005 in a few years. Not sure it should be put in the cellar quite that long, but this drinks outstanding now and will be even better in 2-3 years. I'd say drink by 2016.
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12/7/2013 - MicklethePickle wrote: 92 Points
Purple-magenta. Great viscosity. Fine, effusive berry and lavender nose. Typical for this wine. Tremendous velvety yet viscous mouthfeel. Lovely rich fruit. Purple fruit. A classic G & L. Long finish. Clearly high alcohol, but it doesn't detract in any way. 4-12-17-9: 92/100.
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11/24/2013 - Scharin wrote: 92 Points
A little hot, but has delicious jammy flavors and some nice spice and earth characteristics that kept it interesting.
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8/29/2013 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 92 Points
Finished my excellent G&L '11s. Looking forward to the '12s!
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8/17/2013 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 92 Points
Family Winemakers. Lovely nose of spice, black cherry fruit, and cassis, more of the same on the palate, medium/big body, long finish.
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5/19/2013 - joeroth wrote: 92 Points
Still young but very approachable. I like it.
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5/14/2013 - WineGuyFL wrote: 88 Points
Did not have the same experience as other reviewers. The bottle I had was not full bodied and fruit forward, as I expect from a zin. Would describe it as "thin." Not a lot going on. Could have been a bad bottle, but that does not seem too likley with such a young wine.
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3/10/2013 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine: 92 Points
This is an excellent Zin in a rich, robust and exuberant style. Well balanced, luscious and delicious. Aftertaste goes on and on.
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3/7/2013 - Drankthewholebottle wrote: 92 Points
Everything that you'd expect from a massive zin. It kind of reminded me of the young 2003 version.
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