I'm a fan of old Pickberries but, while this one has held up well, the fruit profile is just a little ripe and sweet for my taste. I prefer the 92 and the 93.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This was good, but not as exciting/special as the other Ravenswood zins I’ve opened from the library sale. It was a little tired and lacking vibrancy. Still, given it’s 26 years old, it’s doing pretty well.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
For whatever reason this bottle was very cloudy and it never settled. It was not flawed an delivered ripe plum and tobacco with a smoky finish...very different from the last bottle which just goes to show that we have to be aware of individual bottle variation...especially with a 22 year old.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wow. I was a little worried when the brick wasn't just at the edges, but then the nose told me that not only was everything okay, but that I was in for a ride. Incredibly elegant perfectly aged meritage drinking like an old right bank Bordeaux...who says merlot can't age (63% merlot). Perfect harmony here. Soft tannins, balanced fruit and acidity. Just a luscious experience. Don't decant. Enjoy soon.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
1994 Ravenswood Pickberry (63% Merlot, 21% Cab. Sauv., 16% Cab. Franc) bottom of cork was soft but but Rabbit did the trick Remarkably dark color for its age - more brick tones typical of older wine, but still dark Shorter teardrop legs (13.5%) Characteristic plummy Merlot nose Mellow and a bit flat on the palate initially, but opening up to plum, earth and mushroom notes Very smooth, but tannins still present Medium finish
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Color: medium ruby -> light garnet rim. Light bouquet of berries, plum, a little ash and leather. Singed, sour cherries, a little cedar and cassis coming through before the acid and tannins take over a pretty short finish. Palate definitely showing signs of fatigue; still alive but going over the hills and far away. This didn't get better as it sat for a few hours in the decanter (checking in every half hour or so). Drink soon (like this second).
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Ruby red color with an alluring aroma of dark red fruit, cedar, spice and herbs. The palate is bright, fruity, and has fine length. The acidity keeps the wine fresh and inviting.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nice, distinctive nose of signature California mint, tobacco, clearly delineated plum (reflecting the Merlot base) and an element of fig. A burnt caramel note might be oak. So tannic in the mouth that it cuts off much of the action, and I don't think there's enough fruit for this to ever fully come into balance.
A second bottle from a different source failed to impress.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Translucent with some bricking. Dried berries, cedar, pepper, and dust on the nose. Baked tart berry palate. Sternly structured with adequate acidity and astringent tannins that clamp down on the finish. Nice enough but no real complexity or freshness and probably not going anywhere with fading fruit.
Quaint gov't warning on the back label: "Research has reconfirmed that wine is most often used moderately and responsibly and contributes significantly to the American culture, society, and economy."
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
color with slight bricking, nose initially off but after 1 hour decanted nice fruit in nose, surprising complexity with long finish. Great wine, blind tasting with 8 people all rated it 90 or better
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
9/17/2023 - coremill wrote: 88 Points
I'm a fan of old Pickberries but, while this one has held up well, the fruit profile is just a little ripe and sweet for my taste. I prefer the 92 and the 93.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/20/2023 - Harry Cantrell Likes this wine: 89 Points
Garnet. Nose of medium weight of plums, seasoned salt and dried herbs. Taste had a strong acid kick with hint of licorice and black fruits. Drink.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/2/2021 - td1836 wrote: 89 Points
This was good, but not as exciting/special as the other Ravenswood zins I’ve opened from the library sale. It was a little tired and lacking vibrancy. Still, given it’s 26 years old, it’s doing pretty well.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/14/2016 - Tannic Monster Likes this wine: 90 Points
For whatever reason this bottle was very cloudy and it never settled. It was not flawed an delivered ripe plum and tobacco with a smoky finish...very different from the last bottle which just goes to show that we have to be aware of individual bottle variation...especially with a 22 year old.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/11/2016 - Tannic Monster wrote: 93 Points
Wow. I was a little worried when the brick wasn't just at the edges, but then the nose told me that not only was everything okay, but that I was in for a ride. Incredibly elegant perfectly aged meritage drinking like an old right bank Bordeaux...who says merlot can't age (63% merlot). Perfect harmony here. Soft tannins, balanced fruit and acidity. Just a luscious experience. Don't decant. Enjoy soon.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/4/2015 - TVB223 wrote: 90 Points
1994 Ravenswood Pickberry (63% Merlot, 21% Cab. Sauv., 16% Cab. Franc)
bottom of cork was soft but but Rabbit did the trick
Remarkably dark color for its age - more brick tones typical of older wine, but still dark
Shorter teardrop legs (13.5%)
Characteristic plummy Merlot nose
Mellow and a bit flat on the palate initially, but opening up to plum, earth and mushroom notes
Very smooth, but tannins still present
Medium finish
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/25/2014 - affordableCollector wrote: 90 Points
deep red, orange rim, in the color. blackberry, blueberry, spices, earth, tobacco, leather, on the nose. high acid, low-medium tannins, on the finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/12/2014 - BVal wrote: 85 Points
Color: medium ruby -> light garnet rim. Light bouquet of berries, plum, a little ash and leather. Singed, sour cherries, a little cedar and cassis coming through before the acid and tannins take over a pretty short finish. Palate definitely showing signs of fatigue; still alive but going over the hills and far away. This didn't get better as it sat for a few hours in the decanter (checking in every half hour or so). Drink soon (like this second).
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/5/2013 - Rieslingfan wrote:
Ruby red color with an alluring aroma of dark red fruit, cedar, spice and herbs. The palate is bright, fruity, and has fine length. The acidity keeps the wine fresh and inviting.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/4/2013 - cooberp wrote: 89 Points
Nice, distinctive nose of signature California mint, tobacco, clearly delineated plum (reflecting the Merlot base) and an element of fig. A burnt caramel note might be oak. So tannic in the mouth that it cuts off much of the action, and I don't think there's enough fruit for this to ever fully come into balance.
A second bottle from a different source failed to impress.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/11/2011 - andtheodor wrote:
Translucent with some bricking. Dried berries, cedar, pepper, and dust on the nose. Baked tart berry palate. Sternly structured with adequate acidity and astringent tannins that clamp down on the finish. Nice enough but no real complexity or freshness and probably not going anywhere with fading fruit.
Quaint gov't warning on the back label:
"Research has reconfirmed that wine is most often used moderately and responsibly and contributes significantly to the American culture, society, and economy."
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/9/2010 - Duce wrote: 92 Points
color with slight bricking, nose initially off but after 1 hour decanted nice fruit in nose, surprising complexity with long finish. Great wine, blind tasting with 8 people all rated it 90 or better
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/15/2009 - Johann Von Mastiff wrote: 89 Points
Fully mature. A nice wine but not blowing me away.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/9/2007 - mtdv wrote: 92 Points
Gorgeous, ripe, juicy, and silky. A great wine, and food friendly. I'll have to try and find some more of this '94 !!!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/12/2004 - 1800kidney wrote: 92 Points
Lovely, great fruity presentation, wonderful mid palates, tannins undercontrol, quite drinkable
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment