Opened and served. Solid ruby to pink/clear at the rim. Fruity port like nose. Tart and puckering at open, nearly sour notes. Strawberries, hoisin. A bit of heat. Some green tomato. Will update.
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This is really great right now. A great mouthfeel and acidity and nice dark fruits. Tannins are pretty integrated. Alcohol has blown off. Cedarbox and and over ripe black fruit.
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This wine has turned into a gem! The depth of the wine and the layers of goodness touches the palate with grace and excitement. Red and blue fruit are in the background, but are still apart of the show. The acidity has kept this wine stable. What a pleasant surprise! Great juice!
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Bright garnet colored, medium bodied, ripe cherry fruits with brambly blackberry and black raspberry notes accented by cinnamon and brown spices, hints of pepper vanilla and bacon fat with a moderate tannin, tangy finish. https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2019/06/fathers-day-special-dinner-features.html
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So much better than the last time we had this bottle. Peak drinking window IMO. Sleek, racy, elegant, traditional Zin. Not overly extracted, not syrup, really in a nice spot.
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Nose is dark fruit, with a tinge of spice. Crushed blueberry. Wine is still a little hot; comes thru on the nose and on entry, but dissipates quickly. Deep spices throughout entry and mid-palate, plus more blueberry. Finish is unremarkable. Very enjoyable right now, even a day after opening.
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Much better than the last bottle. Must have been some bottle variation. This is still going strong in terms of fruit, acidity and life. Don't like it as well as some of the other Biale Zins, but it's good. Blackberry flavors. Sits in the back of the mouth for a while. Not hugely complex, but eminently drinkable with pizza to burgers.
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I was a little apprehensive about this, thinking that it might be a little too Port-like or raisiny. However, notes I read from three weeks ago led me to believe that it might be over-the-hill, so I decided it was time to try one. It was beautiful - vibrant and racy, but not over-the-top and not over-the-hill, either. Nicely balanced, with plenty of brambly fruit and a really nice finish. Hard to say how much longer it will last, but I can't imagine it getting much better.
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38th Annual Zinfandel Retrospective - the 2011s (R&D's): Peppery black fruit, spice and raspberry. Black cherry, brambly dark fruit and pepper on the palate. I always like Biale's Zins- very lush fruit without getting overly ripe and raisiny.
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15.8% alcohol had me a bit scared but it never really shows itself. Instead one gets lots of bright expressive red and blue fruits, a little soy and pepper on the finish. Would pair well with ribs or brisket.
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Despite the 16% alcohol, the heat, while there, wasn't excessive. Tasted after being opened for 3 hours: Nice acid level, some spice (white pepper, touch of cedar and clove) alongside red fruits. Great with stewed short ribs.
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Leaner than other vintages of this wine, but typical for the year. Alcohol level comes through, but not overly so, and a bit green ion the finish. Don't think this will get any better. Enjoyed this bottle but happy it's my last 2011.
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Orange peel and perfume bouquet with some heat showing through. Rose bush bramble and nettles, raspberry, soy, black pepper and coffee cake notes on palette. Heat comes through on finish again but the overall expression is fruit and spice with a bite.
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Garnet to dark garnet color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of perfume, talc, berries and plums. Flavors of red currants, berries and cherries. Medium acidity, medium tannin, full bodied. Drink or hold.
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bright, fresh red fruits, no discernible tannins. Almost sweet, but not really. Full bodied and soft on the palate though not particularly complex. Nice length on the finish.
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I think the review by "ALLRED" nailed this wine. ALLRED wrote: "Dark color with aromas of pepper and spice, blackberry liqueur, raspberry and perfumed florals. Medium-bodied and balanced with nice fruit, structure and underlying acidity. Flavors of briars red fruit, raspberry, black fruit and pepper." I scored a bit lower but that's just preference. NIce wine.
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Ran this through a Vinturi, no time for decanting. On the light side, medium finish, very spicy in a pleasant sort of way and a little floral, enjoyable and will be more enjoyable in a couple of years with more bottle time.
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Some pepper taste, some strawberry taste and smell, very enjoyable but so very smooth, almost too smooth. Glad we drank it now - with smoked pork shoulder and slaw, it worked very well.
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Dark color with aromas of pepper and spice, blackberry liqueur, raspberry and perfumed florals. Medium-bodied and balanced with nice fruit, structure and underlying acidity. Flavors of briars red fruit, raspberry, black fruit and pepper.
Opened at a tapas restaurant with our friends from Mexico. This paired quite well with the variety of dishes and spices. We visited Biale with them in October 2011 when this was in tank, so the bottling has some sentimental value as well.
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Clearly young and tight but appears to lack the spunk of the 09 and even 10 vintages to get excited about this BC. Decanted for about 1 hour, nose zin like, medium to light body for a zin, the fruit did not come through, light pepper spice nothing complex, the wine sort of lay flat after about 2 hours. I don't think it has the structure or fruit to cellar it in hopes it will become more enjoyable. Enjoyed the bottle in a ho hum sort of way, I will not be buying more.
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From Oak Knoll vineyards near Biale estate. Nice nose of red flowers, raspberry, not overly jammy, sweet strawberry. Palate explodes wth up front layers of spiced red fruits, jammed strawberry, bright raspberry, strong graphite component as well, acidity is there, tries to keep up. Not overly hot given the 15% alcohol. The graphite/lead really stays on through the finish. Interesting Zin!
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Tasted blind. This got my vote for best wine of the night in the blind tasting. Big, yes, but it had a nice core of acidity to balance it out. More red fruits on the nose and palate. Some nice spices. A nice finish added some elegance, although it would be a stretch to call it an elegant wine. I think this wine will age nicely for at least another decade.
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White truffle oil, shaved truffle and burnt marshmallow on the nose. Average fireplace smoke, clean kitchen counter and disappointing absence of bright fruit. The finish is balanced but completely dominated by spice and alcohol.
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Medium to light garnet in color. Spice on the nose. Bright raspberry and cherry flavors with a nice balance of spice. Notes of pepper, clove, allspice add some interest a complexity. A really delicious accompaniment to barbecued ribs, bleu cheese cole slaw and squash casserole.
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Gave this a try. It seems a bit thin and pale compared to the zins I usually like. Transluscent more like a oregon pinot noir. A bit peppery. Kind of like a Ravenswood but more expensive.
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Pulled the cork an hour before dinner. Light red color. Initially showed quite a bit of oak- vanilla and spice. Opened a bit in the glass with notes of white pepper and raspberry. Briary red fruit on the palate. Medium-bodied with juicy red fruit and spice tones on the finish.
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Light bodied in glass, pleasant nose with some alcohol coming through albeit unoffensive. No flabbiness or jamminess on this beauty. Lots of structure and perfect balance complemented by notes of pepper, blueberry and raspberry cobbler.
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My bottle was still a bit closed and in need of a little more time .. even with decanting but everything is there as expected. Will revisit in another 6 months to a year.
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4/1/2024 - pauldenisarcher wrote: flawed
Too old
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12/22/2023 - Senso-beak wrote: 87 Points
Opened and served. Solid ruby to pink/clear at the rim. Fruity port like nose. Tart and puckering at open, nearly sour notes. Strawberries, hoisin. A bit of heat. Some green tomato. Will update.
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1/5/2022 - awilliamson4 Likes this wine: 92 Points
This is really great right now. A great mouthfeel and acidity and nice dark fruits. Tannins are pretty integrated. Alcohol has blown off. Cedarbox and and over ripe black fruit.
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9/28/2019 - Oldmanzin Likes this wine: 93 Points
This wine has turned into a gem! The depth of the wine and the layers of goodness touches the palate with grace and excitement. Red and blue fruit are in the background, but are still apart of the show. The acidity has kept this wine stable. What a pleasant surprise! Great juice!
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6/18/2019 - rmcnees wrote: 89 Points
Bright garnet colored, medium bodied, ripe cherry fruits with brambly blackberry and black raspberry notes accented by cinnamon and brown spices, hints of pepper vanilla and bacon fat with a moderate tannin, tangy finish.
https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2019/06/fathers-day-special-dinner-features.html
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5/24/2019 - Neecies Likes this wine:
Quoting NEAT WATER BACK below: Peak drinking window. Sleek, racy, elegant, traditional Zin. Not overly extracted, not syrup, really in a nice spot.
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9/15/2018 - jpdel wrote: 91 Points
drinking well, but time to drink up
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8/26/2018 - JSolo Does not like this wine: 85 Points
Fruit is gone. Only alcohol remains.
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4/13/2018 - knorthrip wrote: 91 Points
Complex wine. Ripe cherry and brambly blackberry with notes of baking spice, sage, vanilla, and bacon.
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3/3/2018 - Mdubnik Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very nice Zin. Still life left in this wine. Drinking well now. Nice pepper note.
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2/9/2018 - Neat Water Back Likes this wine:
So much better than the last time we had this bottle. Peak drinking window IMO. Sleek, racy, elegant, traditional Zin. Not overly extracted, not syrup, really in a nice spot.
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8/20/2017 - Kahnru12 wrote: 90 Points
Nose is dark fruit, with a tinge of spice. Crushed blueberry. Wine is still a little hot; comes thru on the nose and on entry, but dissipates quickly. Deep spices throughout entry and mid-palate, plus more blueberry. Finish is unremarkable. Very enjoyable right now, even a day after opening.
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8/11/2017 - Night Train Likes this wine: 91 Points
Holding up just fine.
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4/17/2017 - ebert Likes this wine: 91 Points
Tasting great now with bright fruit flavors
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2/23/2017 - kenthargis wrote: 88 Points
Much better than the last bottle. Must have been some bottle variation. This is still going strong in terms of fruit, acidity and life. Don't like it as well as some of the other Biale Zins, but it's good. Blackberry flavors. Sits in the back of the mouth for a while. Not hugely complex, but eminently drinkable with pizza to burgers.
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2/17/2017 - Night Train Likes this wine: 91 Points
I was a little apprehensive about this, thinking that it might be a little too Port-like or raisiny. However, notes I read from three weeks ago led me to believe that it might be over-the-hill, so I decided it was time to try one. It was beautiful - vibrant and racy, but not over-the-top and not over-the-hill, either. Nicely balanced, with plenty of brambly fruit and a really nice finish. Hard to say how much longer it will last, but I can't imagine it getting much better.
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1/28/2017 - kenthargis wrote: 84 Points
Probably waited a little too long for this. Decent still, but not as much life or complexity as I would have hoped for.
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7/17/2016 - AllRed wrote: 91 Points
38th Annual Zinfandel Retrospective - the 2011s (R&D's): Peppery black fruit, spice and raspberry. Black cherry, brambly dark fruit and pepper on the palate. I always like Biale's Zins- very lush fruit without getting overly ripe and raisiny.
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4/3/2016 - ebert Likes this wine: 93 Points
Great earthiness, complexity and good balance. Tasting great right now and tasted great over 3 nights after opening.
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3/5/2016 - Bellissimo wrote:
15.8% alcohol had me a bit scared but it never really shows itself. Instead one gets lots of bright expressive red and blue fruits, a little soy and pepper on the finish. Would pair well with ribs or brisket.
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2/18/2016 - vbwineenthusiast Likes this wine: 91 Points
Great as always
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2/9/2016 - shank wrote: 88 Points
Not as big as I remember. Still hot!
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12/15/2015 - Baudelaire wrote: 89 Points
Despite the 16% alcohol, the heat, while there, wasn't excessive. Tasted after being opened for 3 hours: Nice acid level, some spice (white pepper, touch of cedar and clove) alongside red fruits. Great with stewed short ribs.
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9/14/2015 - garyty wrote: 88 Points
What jpmo said below...
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7/12/2015 - jpmo Likes this wine: 88 Points
Leaner than other vintages of this wine, but typical for the year. Alcohol level comes through, but not overly so, and a bit green ion the finish. Don't think this will get any better. Enjoyed this bottle but happy it's my last 2011.
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6/20/2015 - wbduval Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very full and a bit hot at 15.8%, but I'm always pleased with Biale
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4/13/2015 - RSTAR4 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Good balanced zin with some extra "heat" (alcohol). Let it breathe for a while to smooth out.
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3/22/2015 - JumpAroundOnGrapes Likes this wine: 91 Points
Good wine. High alc content. Adds some richness to the wine. Should be had with food.
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2/16/2015 - TheGrizz Likes this wine: 93 Points
Typical fruit forward Biale Zin. Drank with Zwiebelfleisch (German beef with onions). Worked well beacause of the forward fruit and peppery finish.
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2/4/2015 - dfresh wrote: 90 Points
Orange peel and perfume bouquet with some heat showing through. Rose bush bramble and nettles, raspberry, soy, black pepper and coffee cake notes on palette. Heat comes through on finish again but the overall expression is fruit and spice with a bite.
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11/11/2014 - stconner Likes this wine: 93 Points
nice combo of fruit and long finish.
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11/5/2014 - wineismylife wrote: 92 Points
WIML92
Tasted non blind.
Garnet to dark garnet color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of perfume, talc, berries and plums. Flavors of red currants, berries and cherries. Medium acidity, medium tannin, full bodied. Drink or hold.
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10/19/2014 - Kesslerc14 wrote: 92 Points
This is just a great bottle of zin. Ripe cherry and berry flavors and an excellent long finish.
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9/25/2014 - stconner Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nice nose. Some sweatness on the front-end, very nice & longer finish.
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8/16/2014 - Dono1212 wrote: 88 Points
Nice nose; OK, but not outstanding - worked well with spicy red pasta sauce & bison meatballs: 88
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7/6/2014 - skinut Likes this wine: 91 Points
bright, fresh red fruits, no discernible tannins. Almost sweet, but not really. Full bodied and soft on the palate though not particularly complex. Nice length on the finish.
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3/28/2014 - Steven A wrote: 92 Points
- Crimsom color.
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2/17/2014 - Ktsat Likes this wine: 91 Points
great bottle of wine.
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2/8/2014 - RobbieC wrote: 90 Points
I think the review by "ALLRED" nailed this wine. ALLRED wrote: "Dark color with aromas of pepper and spice, blackberry liqueur, raspberry and perfumed florals. Medium-bodied and balanced with nice fruit, structure and underlying acidity. Flavors of briars red fruit, raspberry, black fruit and pepper." I scored a bit lower but that's just preference. NIce wine.
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1/23/2014 - quaffnov Likes this wine: 92 Points
Ran this through a Vinturi, no time for decanting. On the light side, medium finish, very spicy in a pleasant sort of way and a little floral, enjoyable and will be more enjoyable in a couple of years with more bottle time.
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1/5/2014 - Innerducky wrote: 90 Points
Some pepper taste, some strawberry taste and smell, very enjoyable but so very smooth, almost too smooth. Glad we drank it now - with smoked pork shoulder and slaw, it worked very well.
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1/2/2014 - AllRed wrote: 92 Points
Dark color with aromas of pepper and spice, blackberry liqueur, raspberry and perfumed florals. Medium-bodied and balanced with nice fruit, structure and underlying acidity. Flavors of briars red fruit, raspberry, black fruit and pepper.
Opened at a tapas restaurant with our friends from Mexico. This paired quite well with the variety of dishes and spices. We visited Biale with them in October 2011 when this was in tank, so the bottling has some sentimental value as well.
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12/25/2013 - DeeAlex623 wrote: 91 Points
2011 may be a down year
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12/23/2013 - difran wrote: 92 Points
Berry, fruit forward, lighter than most zin from napa. Well made.
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12/1/2013 - vinomex wrote: 88 Points
Clearly young and tight but appears to lack the spunk of the 09 and even 10 vintages to get excited about this BC. Decanted for about 1 hour, nose zin like, medium to light body for a zin, the fruit did not come through, light pepper spice nothing complex, the wine sort of lay flat after about 2 hours. I don't think it has the structure or fruit to cellar it in hopes it will become more enjoyable. Enjoyed the bottle in a ho hum sort of way, I will not be buying more.
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11/13/2013 - ebert wrote: 91 Points
Spirited dark fruits with nice acidity balance
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11/5/2013 - GTFreek wrote:
From Oak Knoll vineyards near Biale estate. Nice nose of red flowers, raspberry, not overly jammy, sweet strawberry. Palate explodes wth up front layers of spiced red fruits, jammed strawberry, bright raspberry, strong graphite component as well, acidity is there, tries to keep up. Not overly hot given the 15% alcohol. The graphite/lead really stays on through the finish. Interesting Zin!
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10/26/2013 - Ellis205 wrote: 86 Points
Very young. Wait until end of drinkable range. This one needs to soften up.
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10/25/2013 - vegasoenophile Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nice finesse and good balance.
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10/21/2013 - stevetimko Likes this wine:
Tasted blind. This got my vote for best wine of the night in the blind tasting. Big, yes, but it had a nice core of acidity to balance it out. More red fruits on the nose and palate. Some nice spices. A nice finish added some elegance, although it would be a stretch to call it an elegant wine. I think this wine will age nicely for at least another decade.
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10/18/2013 - Mallards wrote: 91 Points
Nice refined Zin. Has the slight sweetness and depth without overwhelming you.
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9/3/2013 - Steven A wrote: 91 Points
Would buy again.. Well balanced
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9/3/2013 - tenor12bucks wrote: 92 Points
Tasted at winery. Very bright flavors, good acidity. Complex minerality and a long finish. Very well crafted, if pricey.
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8/8/2013 - beej wrote: 87 Points
White truffle oil, shaved truffle and burnt marshmallow on the nose.
Average fireplace smoke, clean kitchen counter and disappointing absence of bright fruit. The finish is balanced but completely dominated by spice and alcohol.
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7/20/2013 - wconnolly Likes this wine: 88 Points
Medium to light garnet in color. Spice on the nose. Bright raspberry and cherry flavors with a nice balance of spice. Notes of pepper, clove, allspice add some interest a complexity. A really delicious accompaniment to barbecued ribs, bleu cheese cole slaw and squash casserole.
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6/19/2013 - Rktekt3 wrote: 89 Points
Gave this a try. It seems a bit thin and pale compared to the zins I usually like. Transluscent more like a oregon pinot noir. A bit peppery. Kind of like a Ravenswood but more expensive.
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6/16/2013 - cupoverflowing1 Likes this wine: 91 Points
consistent... nice peppery palate... smooth finish, but room to improve with age... good wine/QPR
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6/7/2013 - AllRed wrote: 90 Points
Pulled the cork an hour before dinner. Light red color. Initially showed quite a bit of oak- vanilla and spice. Opened a bit in the glass with notes of white pepper and raspberry. Briary red fruit on the palate. Medium-bodied with juicy red fruit and spice tones on the finish.
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5/27/2013 - dfresh wrote: 93 Points
Light bodied in glass, pleasant nose with some alcohol coming through albeit unoffensive. No flabbiness or jamminess on this beauty. Lots of structure and perfect balance complemented by notes of pepper, blueberry and raspberry cobbler.
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5/24/2013 - JLetizia56 wrote: 91 Points
Smooth, fruity smell, low tannin
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5/12/2013 - cmr Likes this wine: 90 Points
My bottle was still a bit closed and in need of a little more time .. even with decanting but everything is there as expected. Will revisit in another 6 months to a year.
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5/4/2013 - KramerK1610 Likes this wine: 91 Points
very enjoyable
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4/14/2013 - cupoverflowing1 Likes this wine: 91 Points
above average nose; nice peppery finish... medium body... spot on QPR (not bad or great)
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4/13/2013 - Varnerhome wrote: 92 Points
Good nose, nice finish, little bit of pepper, fruity.
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