42nd Annual Zinfandel Retrospective - the 2015s (R&D's): Double decanted off its sediment and served with dinner 3.5 hours later. Light red color. Aromas of red berry fruit, cherry and white currants with floral undertones. Balanced. Elegant. Flavors of cherry, currants and pepper. No need to rush on these, though it is drinking beautifully now.
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Last bottle. Server with some filled chicken and veg. Perfectly fine - not as big as I remembered A bit hot when opened but opened up nicely in 30 min or so. If you have it, I’d drink it soon
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I’d suggest nicely in its drinking window. Not a jammy zin though just bright enough at front to get your attention. A little high in alcohol but styles down as it opened up over time. This is a strong value wine given big taste and decent price. Paired with Mexican food outside and a fire pit setting. Very good wine
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My last bottle of this excellent Zin, I love a good Zinfandel with pepperoni pizza. Spice with spice, higher alcohol, sweetness with savory. Love Italian,especially Chianti Classico with pizza but I encourage you to try Zin and pepperoni pizza pairing as well.
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So atypical for a California Zin. Rich, full and yet not jammy, with just enough of a sweet element to maintain interest. Not our preferred varietal, except when it comes across so smooth and elegant. Wonderfully crafted wine that is ready to drink now!
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Continue to love this Zin from Chateau Montelena. So smooth and refined without the jamminess and string pepper notes of most Zins. A great Saturday pairing with my pepperoni pizza.
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Needed about an hour to open up. Still strong for this old of a Zin. Had it along with a 2018 Baletto Zin. Color orange/brown at the rim but stood side by side on the nose with the 18. Good fruit, jammy!
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One of my go to Zinfandels, always enjoyable and well made and the extra age has balanced and smoothed out this wine. Medium bodied juicy blackberries, cola, espresso, and baking spice. Glad to have more bottles!
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One of my favorite Zinfandels to pair with my homemade from scratch Saturday pepperoni and sausage pizza. I enjoy the fresh blackberry, vanilla, and some said coconut flavors. This zin is not overly jammy nor overly spicy. 14.4 abv.
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4th Saturday Brown Bagger (Sue's): Single blind. Garnet color, with notes of earthy red fruit. Red fruit on the palate, turning slightly austere through the finish. The acidity is a bit much. Guessed Bordeaux.
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Nothing special. WAY OVERPRICED. Dark color and fruit, little finish. Smooth and balanced, but flat tasting. Also doesn't taste like most traditional CA Zins.
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Medium minus ruby color. Overripe cherry, blueberry, dried cranberry, dried flowers. Classic millerandage. Sweet with alcohol and fruit, elevated acid and medium tannins. A bit hot and bitter on the finish but overall well put together and very typical of CA zin. Feels around 15% (14.4%).
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my favorite zinfandel. just flat out drink-able. certainly can't tell if it is just this vintage, will have to wait until next year, but, while we always liked their estate zin, we like this one much more
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Crimson/ruby color with notes of brambly dark fruit, black raspberry liqueur, florals and spice. Medium-bodied, showing white pepper, black currant jelly, raspberry and spices with a lengthy finish. On the prettier side of Zinfandel, which is exactly what I have come to expect from Montelena's version. Delightful, and as perfect a match for the club's Sante Fe Pork Tacos as there could possibly be.
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3/2/2024 - AllRed wrote: 90 Points
Red berry with with pepper and briary overtones. Integrated and balanced.
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6/9/2023 - Query Likes this wine:
Decant. Really opens after an hour. Lighter Zin that can be had with or without food.
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5/28/2023 - AllRed wrote: 92 Points
42nd Annual Zinfandel Retrospective - the 2015s (R&D's): Double decanted off its sediment and served with dinner 3.5 hours later. Light red color. Aromas of red berry fruit, cherry and white currants with floral undertones. Balanced. Elegant. Flavors of cherry, currants and pepper. No need to rush on these, though it is drinking beautifully now.
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10/15/2021 - ernie237 Likes this wine:
Nice blend with or without food
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9/23/2021 - Lefty’s Writes wrote: 85 Points
Last bottle. Server with some filled chicken and veg. Perfectly fine - not as big as I remembered A bit hot when opened but opened up nicely in 30 min or so. If you have it, I’d drink it soon
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8/8/2021 - mdvillaverde wrote: 88 Points
14.4% abv. PnP. Ripe fruit with cedar and pepper notes but not a lot going on here.
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3/3/2021 - Alex Brogan wrote: 83 Points
The fruit struggles to break through the Oak on this. Cocoa, spice and pepper is there. All secondary stuff.
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10/10/2020 - Roman Empire Likes this wine: 88 Points
I’d suggest nicely in its drinking window. Not a jammy zin though just bright enough at front to get your attention. A little high in alcohol but styles down as it opened up over time. This is a strong value wine given big taste and decent price. Paired with Mexican food outside and a fire pit setting. Very good wine
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4/4/2020 - tedcholl Likes this wine: 90 Points
My last bottle of this excellent Zin, I love a good Zinfandel with pepperoni pizza. Spice with spice, higher alcohol, sweetness with savory. Love Italian,especially Chianti Classico with pizza but I encourage you to try Zin and pepperoni pizza pairing as well.
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4/2/2020 - Tahlequahdave1972 Likes this wine: 90 Points
So atypical for a California Zin. Rich, full and yet not jammy, with just enough of a sweet element to maintain interest. Not our preferred varietal, except when it comes across so smooth and elegant. Wonderfully crafted wine that is ready to drink now!
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3/7/2020 - tedcholl Likes this wine: 90 Points
Continue to love this Zin from Chateau Montelena. So smooth and refined without the jamminess and string pepper notes of most Zins. A great Saturday pairing with my pepperoni pizza.
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2/23/2020 - RojoVino24 wrote: 89 Points
Needed about an hour to open up. Still strong for this old of a Zin. Had it along with a 2018 Baletto Zin. Color orange/brown at the rim but stood side by side on the nose with the 18. Good fruit, jammy!
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2/22/2020 - tedcholl Likes this wine: 90 Points
One of my go to Zinfandels, always enjoyable and well made and the extra age has balanced and smoothed out this wine. Medium bodied juicy blackberries, cola, espresso, and baking spice. Glad to have more bottles!
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2/1/2020 - tedcholl Likes this wine: 90 Points
One of my favorite Zinfandels to pair with my homemade from scratch Saturday pepperoni and sausage pizza. I enjoy the fresh blackberry, vanilla, and some said coconut flavors. This zin is not overly jammy nor overly spicy. 14.4 abv.
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1/4/2020 - SPfromTX Likes this wine: 93 Points
Awesome, balanced, fruit forward, classic zin
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7/10/2019 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 89 Points
Chateau Montelena at the Westin Hotel, San Francisco (Westin Hotel, San Francisco, Ca.): Noe of plum and mint, same on the palate, medium/big body, tasty, touch old tasting, and a medium/long finish.
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6/22/2019 - Bhohne wrote: 90 Points
Great with salmon
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4/29/2019 - muehmm wrote:
Smooth tasting Zinfandel with honts of chocolate. Berries, and a hint of pepper. 93 points.
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12/2/2018 - Bhohne wrote: 91 Points
Great after 15-20 minutes
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6/19/2018 - kr522 wrote: 90 Points
Easy drinking wine, with deep berries and dark cherry, and not made in an overrripe style. Missing the Zin spiciness and complexity, for now at least
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1/27/2018 - AllRed wrote: 86 Points
4th Saturday Brown Bagger (Sue's): Single blind. Garnet color, with notes of earthy red fruit. Red fruit on the palate, turning slightly austere through the finish. The acidity is a bit much. Guessed Bordeaux.
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1/5/2018 - wcf1946 Does not like this wine: 86 Points
Nothing special. WAY OVERPRICED. Dark color and fruit, little finish. Smooth and balanced, but flat tasting. Also doesn't taste like most traditional CA Zins.
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10/22/2017 - Colpete Likes this wine: 95 Points
The best pizza wine I've ever had
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7/17/2017 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Earthy and black fruited, rich, with lots of drive and energy.
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2/15/2017 - RajivAyyangar wrote: 82 Points
Medium minus ruby color.
Overripe cherry, blueberry, dried cranberry, dried flowers. Classic millerandage.
Sweet with alcohol and fruit, elevated acid and medium tannins. A bit hot and bitter on the finish but overall well put together and very typical of CA zin. Feels around 15% (14.4%).
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12/9/2016 - Frank-H wrote: 86 Points
Good as Zinfandel goes. I was in a wine club and they sent me this. Would not buy it again.
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10/25/2016 - EMichels wrote:
Another beautiful nose; Light body; Bright character; Medium finish
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10/8/2016 - Desertdi wrote: 86 Points
Not their best...would probably not purchase again
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10/4/2016 - Desertdi Likes this wine: 89 Points
A good Zin but I think there much better
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9/30/2016 - jzebrack Likes this wine: 92 Points
my favorite zinfandel. just flat out drink-able. certainly can't tell if it is just this vintage, will have to wait until next year, but, while we always liked their estate zin, we like this one much more
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9/21/2016 - AllRed wrote: 91 Points
Crimson/ruby color with notes of brambly dark fruit, black raspberry liqueur, florals and spice. Medium-bodied, showing white pepper, black currant jelly, raspberry and spices with a lengthy finish. On the prettier side of Zinfandel, which is exactly what I have come to expect from Montelena's version. Delightful, and as perfect a match for the club's Sante Fe Pork Tacos as there could possibly be.
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7/24/2016 - AllRed wrote: 92 Points
Blue fruit, white pepper, vanilla and raspberry. Nice fruit and spice on the palate; elegant.
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7/12/2016 - AllRed wrote: 92 Points
Courtesy of TLV. Raspberry and briary dark fruit with a hint of vanilla. Jammy and ripe but not overly so. Good balance and length.
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5/28/2016 - pvewino Likes this wine: 89 Points
Decent wine. Opened and let breathe for an hour then poured through a vinturi aerator. The wine is on the lighter side.
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