ruby color; black fruit and forest floor on the nose; cigar box, blackberries, blueberries and white pepper up front with a very pleasant black currant ganache that lingers on the aftertaste. A hint of chocolate?
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Medium garnet color...legs form medium time, nice aroma of berry Black pepper, light anise and cinnamon.... Palate is cinnamon berry flavors, enjoyable Zin that's on the restrained side...not a big jammy Style but excellent....
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This was tasted as a vertical with the 2012. I liked the '11 better as it had a more brick red color and brighter aromas and palate highlighted by raspberry, cherry, white pepper and some herb. Good acidity which enhances if with food.
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Ok zin. A little flat for my liking and a very poor qpr, imo. I don't know what makes this an "interesting take" as it's a classy and correct zin, but it's way over priced.
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I'm a relative newbie to Zin...at least since I joined CT a year ago. Now I'm in the sophomore class, having developed a little better palate, worked on my vocabulary, and done my homework.
I'd heard zins were "hot," a trait that's not endearing to me. But this wine has 13.9% ABV.....a pleasant surprise. I'd also read that Napa zins could be full-bodied and fruity. I wouldn't put Storybook in that class. More of a light to medium body wine, with moderate fruit, noticeable acidity and some tannins. Those things should help its ageability (is that a Budweiser term? No, that's "drinkability") .....another trait not often found in a zin.
It's as if an Old World winemaker stole some cuttings from this, America's varietal, and put his fine wine-making touches to it. [I've read that primitivo is a close first cousin, so maybe zin is a sixth generation Italian-American wine].
As for reds, my preference remains the Rhone and Burgundy varietals. The American versions can be great when not too fruity or hot. But now I see there's reason to make room for a good zin in my wine cabinet.
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1/19/2022 - nfurlong Likes this wine: 89 Points
ruby color; black fruit and forest floor on the nose; cigar box, blackberries, blueberries and white pepper up front with a very pleasant black currant ganache that lingers on the aftertaste. A hint of chocolate?
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7/25/2020 - juneau bob wrote:
Much lighter, less fruit and lower alcohol than a lot of Zins.
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1/23/2017 - erekose Likes this wine: 88 Points
On the nose - cherry, vanilla, herbal component. A touch of tomato leaf.
Drinks more like a pinot than a Zinfandel. Light, easy drinking. Mild across the board.
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7/24/2016 - TwoSmoochies wrote: 88 Points
really light for a zin
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6/9/2016 - KJD45$ Likes this wine: 91 Points
Medium garnet color...legs form medium time, nice aroma of berry
Black pepper, light anise and cinnamon.... Palate is cinnamon berry flavors, enjoyable Zin that's on the restrained side...not a big jammy
Style but excellent....
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1/31/2016 - Blackwa Likes this wine: 91 Points
This was tasted as a vertical with the 2012. I liked the '11 better as it had a more brick red color and brighter aromas and palate highlighted by raspberry, cherry, white pepper and some herb. Good acidity which enhances if with food.
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11/2/2014 - easttide wrote: 88 Points
Ok zin. A little flat for my liking and a very poor qpr, imo. I don't know what makes this an "interesting take" as it's a classy and correct zin, but it's way over priced.
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8/2/2014 - Magnum Bill Likes this wine: 89 Points
I'm a relative newbie to Zin...at least since I joined CT a year ago. Now I'm in the sophomore class, having developed a little better palate, worked on my vocabulary, and done my homework.
I'd heard zins were "hot," a trait that's not endearing to me. But this wine has 13.9% ABV.....a pleasant surprise. I'd also read that Napa zins could be full-bodied and fruity. I wouldn't put Storybook in that class. More of a light to medium body wine, with moderate fruit, noticeable acidity and some tannins. Those things should help its ageability (is that a Budweiser term? No, that's "drinkability") .....another trait not often found in a zin.
It's as if an Old World winemaker stole some cuttings from this, America's varietal, and put his fine wine-making touches to it. [I've read that primitivo is a close first cousin, so maybe zin is a sixth generation Italian-American wine].
As for reds, my preference remains the Rhone and Burgundy varietals. The American versions can be great when not too fruity or hot. But now I see there's reason to make room for a good zin in my wine cabinet.
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1/4/2014 - sbwinedrinker Likes this wine: 91 Points
Delicious!
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10/12/2013 - wineduggery wrote: 90 Points
Unusual for a zin. Lighter in body, but still ample in flavor. Only 13.9% in alcohol. Interesting take on zin.
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