Delicious. Surprisingly young tasting and fruity at 16 years of age, but still has a good amount of secondary character to enhance the fruit. Very nice bottle.
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The thin cranberry rim and deep, opaque core suggest the continuing youthfulness of this wine. However, the nose and palate suggests a downward trajectory is all that remains for this wine. The sweet Zin fruit of this blend (87% Zin and 13% Pets) still delivers pleasure, but the fruit lacks the vibrancy it once had. Rhubarb, plum and some lingering brown sugar cover the attack. The finish fades into some Zin funk, dusty rose and black pepper. The mouthfeel delivers a powdery texture. But hints that the wine is fading are apparent. This lacks the punch that it once delivered. The fruit is not nearly as vibrant. Next to the ‘06 & ‘08 it falls to a distant third place. 14.8% alc. With (chicken) Coq au Zin with the Sheets and the Scripps. Recommended, but leaning toward Recommended with Reservations.
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36th Annual Zinfandel Retrospective - the 2009s (Rich & Dana's): Aromas of black raspberry and cherry, becoming darker and developing a molasses-like note- almost like a deep barbeque sauce quality- a bit smoky. Flavors of dark fruit, spice, currants and herbs with a subtle earthy note. 89+ pts.
My #3, Domino's #1 Group #1, 33 pts
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That this wine brought more pleasure two years ago might suggest that the height of drinking has passed. However, one bottle does not warrant a conclusion. Robust rhubarb with brown sugar and molasses (unsulphured) with fruit of plum and Zin funk on the nose and attack. The finish is more black pepper than mocha of two years ago. The powdery texture interrupted by the heat. 14.8% alc. With beef burgers at The Shack. Recommended, but leaning toward Recommended with Reservations.
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Six years have passed since I last tried one of these ‘04 York Creeks. The passing time has been most kind to this, with the tannins smoothing out. The body is now silky smooth. The profile is earth, mineral, sweet brown sugar, rhubarb, zin funk and a finish of chocolate .... and that’s just the nose. Every element of the bouquet is finely etched on the palate with additional complements of plum on the attack and a finish of cocoa. The powdery texture leaves a smooth and sexy mouthfeel. At peak? Not a clue, but I suspect this has years ahead of it. 14.8% alc. With chicken and sage sausages over pasta under tomato sauce. Recommended.
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This full bodied, mature red was delightful with the savory spicy foods we accompanied it with. The Petite Sirah was noticeable in both the bouquet and mid palate, and the finish was nice, albeit a touch short from a wine of this pedigree. Definitely more forward than many of Ridge's Zins - I would say that at 5 1/2 years after bottling its not done but I don't see it getting much better either. As with most of Ridge's stuff, it was well made, coherently put together and is pretty much what you would expect from a nice Spring Mountain Zin. I should probably give this a higher score but I have had better old Ridge Zins in the past (and hopefully the future - I have a lot in my cellar!) so overall I am happy with this score.
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Very dark color. Full-bodied with lot of dark fruit. Not a lot of tannin or acidity. My wife loved this but may be my least favorite Ridge zin that I've had.
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Very fine Zin. The oak has receded and mellowed since the last bottle in '09. I found this bottle much more enjoyable. Wine is integrated and well balanced. It went very well with the meal.
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Deep ruby color, towards black at the center. Big nose of peppery spice and blackberry liquor. Medium bodied and very spicy on the palate as well, great presence with juicy acidity. Pretty Zin.
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(14.8%) - 87% Zinfandel, 13% Petite Sirah - Intriguing nose of dark purple fruits, cloves and herbs. The initial palate is still vibrant and extremely juicy early on the palate. Literally loaded with blueberries. The structure here is fantastic supporting layer after layer of flavors. As we move to the mid-palate a pleasant acidity emerges along with dried herbs and black tea notes. The finish is beautiful and warm with nice spice and grippy tannins that linger on for days. This wine is perfectly balanced and integrated. Smooth throughout and a joy to drink. Worth every penny of the $25 I paid. So sad I only two more of these left. Time to restock my cellar with the latest vintages!
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very nice chewy peppery ridge zin. One of the nicest we’ve had recently. Went extremely well with pasta and burgers. Tannins had softened a bit, but otherwise, not old.
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Nice Zin, not complex but not a fruit bomb either, used some to make lamb shank Osso Bucco and it was a great accompanying wine. I wouldn't wait too long to drink, don't think there is much to improve.
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P&P - Dark reddish with a hint of that dusty brick color from the Petite. Really crisp Zin nose, heady dark herbs, black tea, dried Chinese herbs. A touch of green on the palate then a wave of ripe, tight Zin, layered and complex, but finish is not deep, but very tasty. Tannins are still a bit much, the Petite is just giving this too much backbone for now, give it 12 months+ this one is built for the long haul. A killer Zin, great value and lovely wine making.
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Jammy black currants, blackberries, spice, black cherry, tart cherry, blackberry, dried rose, blue fruit, nice acidity, a hint of candied fruit, meaty, red fruit, ready to drink. This got top marks for drinking with BBQ.
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This was dead-on consistent with the last bottle I had. Wonderfully balanced fruit and tannins. Great plushness and freshness. This has got to be the perfect window. Drink 'em if you got 'em.
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TWATS VI (Clive's Crib): Dark reddish. Purple. Smells of raspberries bit of alch. Just like yaggermeister, pepper licorice, spicy. Well crafted, meaty big blend, good. Good.
Clive – position 12.
Last sip Pre Skirt lifting – Yaggerness gone, deeper, richer.
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Deacnted for about and hour and it delivered with a wonderful nose and killer zin palate that paired really well with a grilled meat collection of rubbed country spare ribs, moroccan lamb and skirt steak.
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Color is taking on slight brickish quality. Nose has some fairly strong oak notes. Dusty plum. It has lost the brambly notes it had when it was younger. Still a great nose. Wow, can you say balanced? This wine is in such a great place. Tannins are perfectly integrated. Pure, vibrant blackberry juice flavors. The American oak really imparts an interesting cedary note. If you have these, drink them soon. It will stick around for years yet, but I don't see how it can get better than where it's at now.
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A lot of oak on the nose; more than I generally warm up to. Wonderful plum comes through on the swirl. The nose surpasses the taste. However, fine balance between the fruit, tannins and acidic textures. Goes well with mildly spiced sausage from the grill.
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Got this on sale for nearly half price. Tasted blind alongside two other Zins. Dark inky purple in glass (darkest of the three). Loads of Plum/prune on the nose with a unique paint-like characteristic that blew off the second day. A very juicy attack again with plum and prune flavors without much else. Densely extracted fruit slightly overpowering the acidity, but very smooth tasting with well integrated tannins. A little MIA on the mid-palate but recovers with a very long smooth finish dominated by the soft tannins (petite syrah). Dominating feature of this wine is how smooth it is with great mouthfeel. A bit too much plum fruit for my tastes, but well made. At the original retail value: C+/B-.
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I tasted this wine in a blind tasting and it scored second behind Collier Falls Primitivo.
Strong paint smell on the nose with prune. Very juicy front end . . . almost cranberry juice box for a child . . . which subsided quickly into a well bodied full mouth. Missing middle and short finish.
I scored this wine 88 points.
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Over the top Zin....wonder if they will ever make it again....almost a desert wine, rivals an older Turley (This was notes for a Late Picked York Creek Zin)
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On the nose I found the elements of a great dessert. Vanilla, chocolate and blueberries dominated, with a hint of anise rounding out the aroma. In mouth the wine was silky smooth; the bottle disappeared before I knew it. I got blackberries, blueberries, and a peppery kick. Overall the fruit tasted very fresh.
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Sweet nose of darker red fruit, wet earth, nice spiciness of the baking variety...medium-bodied, tannins are nicely integrated though present, spicy - as the wine opened up this gained terrific texture. Nice enough, nothing blockbuster - but you can call this balanced. Never hot. Putting off my last bottle until summer of 2008 to let it integrate.
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Mr. Draper’s package arrived the other day and curiosity got the better of me. I hadn’t pulled a York Creek since the ‘02 Late Picked version. And while this wasn’t the port-like brew of that bottle its high alcohol (14.8%) certainly reminded me of that bottle. Zin-berry galore with good zin-funk. Fresh red berries like a zin should have, but not at all milkshakish. Smoky rhubarb and coffee follow; a bit of anise and a good dose of vanilla on the finish. Unfortunately the heat of the alcohol kicks in also. This needs time as the tannins are not at all integrated and will benefit from an opportunity to soften. Mr. Draper recommends drinking over the “next five to seven years.” I find his recommendations refreshingly conservative. I might try one in 7 or 8 years just to see how it’s coming along. This would benefit from a food pairing - BBQ or smoke ribs would be lovely. With the Dortons on a lark; no food pairing.
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5/23/2020 - klezman wrote:
Delicious. Surprisingly young tasting and fruity at 16 years of age, but still has a good amount of secondary character to enhance the fruit. Very nice bottle.
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2/13/2015 - timewithwine wrote:
The thin cranberry rim and deep, opaque core suggest the continuing youthfulness of this wine. However, the nose and palate suggests a downward trajectory is all that remains for this wine. The sweet Zin fruit of this blend (87% Zin and 13% Pets) still delivers pleasure, but the fruit lacks the vibrancy it once had. Rhubarb, plum and some lingering brown sugar cover the attack. The finish fades into some Zin funk, dusty rose and black pepper. The mouthfeel delivers a powdery texture. But hints that the wine is fading are apparent. This lacks the punch that it once delivered. The fruit is not nearly as vibrant. Next to the ‘06 & ‘08 it falls to a distant third place. 14.8% alc. With (chicken) Coq au Zin with the Sheets and the Scripps. Recommended, but leaning toward Recommended with Reservations.
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5/25/2014 - AllRed wrote: 89 Points
36th Annual Zinfandel Retrospective - the 2009s (Rich & Dana's): Aromas of black raspberry and cherry, becoming darker and developing a molasses-like note- almost like a deep barbeque sauce quality- a bit smoky. Flavors of dark fruit, spice, currants and herbs with a subtle earthy note. 89+ pts.
My #3, Domino's #1
Group #1, 33 pts
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5/7/2014 - timewithwine wrote:
That this wine brought more pleasure two years ago might suggest that the height of drinking has passed. However, one bottle does not warrant a conclusion. Robust rhubarb with brown sugar and molasses (unsulphured) with fruit of plum and Zin funk on the nose and attack. The finish is more black pepper than mocha of two years ago. The powdery texture interrupted by the heat. 14.8% alc. With beef burgers at The Shack. Recommended, but leaning toward Recommended with Reservations.
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2/17/2013 - ErikaandAmy wrote:
This was heavy and jammy. Not my favorite. Didnt finish. Have one more bottle that we will save for awhile
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11/1/2012 - timewithwine wrote:
Six years have passed since I last tried one of these ‘04 York Creeks. The passing time has been most kind to this, with the tannins smoothing out. The body is now silky smooth. The profile is earth, mineral, sweet brown sugar, rhubarb, zin funk and a finish of chocolate .... and that’s just the nose. Every element of the bouquet is finely etched on the palate with additional complements of plum on the attack and a finish of cocoa. The powdery texture leaves a smooth and sexy mouthfeel. At peak? Not a clue, but I suspect this has years ahead of it. 14.8% alc. With chicken and sage sausages over pasta under tomato sauce. Recommended.
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9/18/2011 - UpfromtheCellar Likes this wine: 88 Points
This full bodied, mature red was delightful with the savory spicy foods we accompanied it with. The Petite Sirah was noticeable in both the bouquet and mid palate, and the finish was nice, albeit a touch short from a wine of this pedigree. Definitely more forward than many of Ridge's Zins - I would say that at 5 1/2 years after bottling its not done but I don't see it getting much better either. As with most of Ridge's stuff, it was well made, coherently put together and is pretty much what you would expect from a nice Spring Mountain Zin. I should probably give this a higher score but I have had better old Ridge Zins in the past (and hopefully the future - I have a lot in my cellar!) so overall I am happy with this score.
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7/10/2011 - Walbourn wrote: 83 Points
We waited a bit too long to drink this one.
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6/18/2011 - kmack wrote:
Very dark color. Full-bodied with lot of dark fruit. Not a lot of tannin or acidity. My wife loved this but may be my least favorite Ridge zin that I've had.
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4/12/2011 - dabovino wrote: 90 Points
No formal notes. Really enjoyed this wine. It has developed beautifully and is drinking very well right now. Ridge knows its zin.
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4/9/2011 - RussK wrote: 90 Points
RUSSK WSW BB-Zin tasting at Peter's. Mid tier. Sweet nose, finishing dryer. some heat.
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4/3/2011 - up4wine wrote: 89 Points
Very fine Zin. The oak has receded and mellowed since the last bottle in '09. I found this bottle much more enjoyable. Wine is integrated and well balanced. It went very well with the meal.
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1/8/2011 - ogres3 wrote:
Margaret drank when I was on call.
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11/21/2010 - dougsmith wrote: 91 Points
Deep ruby color, towards black at the center. Big nose of peppery spice and blackberry liquor. Medium bodied and very spicy on the palate as well, great presence with juicy acidity. Pretty Zin.
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10/24/2010 - Jason Rzutkiewicz Likes this wine: 91 Points
(14.8%) - 87% Zinfandel, 13% Petite Sirah - Intriguing nose of dark purple fruits, cloves and herbs. The initial palate is still vibrant and extremely juicy early on the palate. Literally loaded with blueberries. The structure here is fantastic supporting layer after layer of flavors. As we move to the mid-palate a pleasant acidity emerges along with dried herbs and black tea notes. The finish is beautiful and warm with nice spice and grippy tannins that linger on for days. This wine is perfectly balanced and integrated. Smooth throughout and a joy to drink. Worth every penny of the $25 I paid. So sad I only two more of these left. Time to restock my cellar with the latest vintages!
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10/13/2010 - bcahill wrote: 84 Points
Not a bad bottle but not typical of my experience with Ridge. Wine seemed hot and disjointed at times but mellowed some with a bit of air.
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4/20/2010 - twoamps wrote: 91 Points
very nice chewy peppery ridge zin. One of the nicest we’ve had recently. Went extremely well with pasta and burgers. Tannins had softened a bit, but otherwise, not old.
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12/1/2009 - OTTnMIA wrote: 89 Points
Good, not great. Enjoyed it, but there's much better wines (and zins) out there for $30.
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11/17/2009 - Double D wrote: 91 Points
Nice Zin, not complex but not a fruit bomb either, used some to make lamb shank Osso Bucco and it was a great accompanying wine.
I wouldn't wait too long to drink, don't think there is much to improve.
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10/30/2009 - tplskylrk wrote: 91 Points
P&P - Dark reddish with a hint of that dusty brick color from the Petite. Really crisp Zin nose, heady dark herbs, black tea, dried Chinese herbs. A touch of green on the palate then a wave of ripe, tight Zin, layered and complex, but finish is not deep, but very tasty. Tannins are still a bit much, the Petite is just giving this too much backbone for now, give it 12 months+ this one is built for the long haul. A killer Zin, great value and lovely wine making.
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8/12/2009 - sonadora Likes this wine:
Jammy black currants, blackberries, spice, black cherry, tart cherry, blackberry, dried rose, blue fruit, nice acidity, a hint of candied fruit, meaty, red fruit, ready to drink. This got top marks for drinking with BBQ.
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6/19/2009 - Beavis77 wrote:
This was dead-on consistent with the last bottle I had. Wonderfully balanced fruit and tannins. Great plushness and freshness. This has got to be the perfect window.
Drink 'em if you got 'em.
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5/15/2009 - tplskylrk wrote:
TWATS VI (Clive's Crib): Dark reddish. Purple. Smells of raspberries bit of alch. Just like yaggermeister, pepper licorice, spicy. Well crafted, meaty big blend, good. Good.
Clive – position 12.
Last sip Pre Skirt lifting – Yaggerness gone, deeper, richer.
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4/27/2009 - Battleship wrote: 91 Points
Deacnted for about and hour and it delivered with a wonderful nose and killer zin palate that paired really well with a grilled meat collection of rubbed country spare ribs, moroccan lamb and skirt steak.
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4/4/2009 - Beavis77 wrote:
Color is taking on slight brickish quality.
Nose has some fairly strong oak notes. Dusty plum. It has lost the brambly notes it had when it was younger. Still a great nose.
Wow, can you say balanced? This wine is in such a great place. Tannins are perfectly integrated. Pure, vibrant blackberry juice flavors. The American oak really imparts an interesting cedary note.
If you have these, drink them soon. It will stick around for years yet, but I don't see how it can get better than where it's at now.
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3/16/2009 - up4wine wrote: 86 Points
A lot of oak on the nose; more than I generally warm up to. Wonderful plum comes through on the swirl. The nose surpasses the taste. However, fine balance between the fruit, tannins and acidic textures. Goes well with mildly spiced sausage from the grill.
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2/8/2009 - SteveH wrote: 91 Points
Beautifully balanced, drinking great. So sorry it's my last.
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11/23/2008 - ogres3 wrote:
full-bodied, chewy ridge
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6/12/2008 - Combee1 wrote: 88 Points
Got this on sale for nearly half price. Tasted blind alongside two other Zins. Dark inky purple in glass (darkest of the three). Loads of Plum/prune on the nose with a unique paint-like characteristic that blew off the second day. A very juicy attack again with plum and prune flavors without much else. Densely extracted fruit slightly overpowering the acidity, but very smooth tasting with well integrated tannins. A little MIA on the mid-palate but recovers with a very long smooth finish dominated by the soft tannins (petite syrah). Dominating feature of this wine is how smooth it is with great mouthfeel. A bit too much plum fruit for my tastes, but well made. At the original retail value: C+/B-.
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6/9/2008 - glymps wrote: 88 Points
I tasted this wine in a blind tasting and it scored second behind Collier Falls Primitivo.
Strong paint smell on the nose with prune. Very juicy front end . . . almost cranberry juice box for a child . . . which subsided quickly into a well bodied full mouth. Missing middle and short finish.
I scored this wine 88 points.
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1/19/2008 - wino_tim wrote: 86 Points
Briary with lots of dried fruit, nuts licorice, blueberry and allspice. Super rich, jammy fruit.
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12/15/2007 - klmarshall wrote: 91 Points
Classic Ridge. Classicly good. Drinking very well now.
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10/29/2007 - Double D wrote: 93 Points
Over the top Zin....wonder if they will ever make it again....almost a desert wine, rivals an older Turley (This was notes for a Late Picked York Creek Zin)
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7/27/2007 - sonadora wrote:
On the nose I found the elements of a great dessert. Vanilla, chocolate and blueberries dominated, with a hint of anise rounding out the aroma. In mouth the wine was silky smooth; the bottle disappeared before I knew it. I got blackberries, blueberries, and a peppery kick. Overall the fruit tasted very fresh.
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3/10/2007 - CO CHRIS wrote: 88 Points
Sweet nose of darker red fruit, wet earth, nice spiciness of the baking variety...medium-bodied, tannins are nicely integrated though present, spicy - as the wine opened up this gained terrific texture. Nice enough, nothing blockbuster - but you can call this balanced. Never hot. Putting off my last bottle until summer of 2008 to let it integrate.
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3/10/2007 - kmack wrote:
Dark color, rather opaque. Dark fruit with a touch of cedar on the nose. Dark fruits with some licorice and minerality on the palate. Very tannic.
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11/28/2006 - tmay wrote: 88 Points
Big but not hot. Lots of zin fruit.
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11/23/2006 - dbarco wrote: 90 Points
Enjoyed for Thanksgiving - smooth and drinkable, moderate acidity, bright fruit but dark undertones of leather.
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8/16/2006 - timewithwine wrote:
Mr. Draper’s package arrived the other day and curiosity got the better of me. I hadn’t pulled a York Creek since the ‘02 Late Picked version. And while this wasn’t the port-like brew of that bottle its high alcohol (14.8%) certainly reminded me of that bottle. Zin-berry galore with good zin-funk. Fresh red berries like a zin should have, but not at all milkshakish. Smoky rhubarb and coffee follow; a bit of anise and a good dose of vanilla on the finish. Unfortunately the heat of the alcohol kicks in also. This needs time as the tannins are not at all integrated and will benefit from an opportunity to soften. Mr. Draper recommends drinking over the “next five to seven years.” I find his recommendations refreshingly conservative. I might try one in 7 or 8 years just to see how it’s coming along. This would benefit from a food pairing - BBQ or smoke ribs would be lovely. With the Dortons on a lark; no food pairing.
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