Slow ox in glass 45 minutes. No browning on the edges. Bursting with ripe raspberries and strawberries on the nose. Rich, sweet, deep red fruits ( almost liqueur-like) and brambleberry on the palate. Savory, herbal finish with a bit of acidity which threw off most of the blind tasters - leading them to conclude this was a fine, ripe Tuscan wine. Proves once again how well some of the 80s and early 90s Zin can age wonderfully when stored properly (an extra point on that account!).
recommend drinking up sooner than later
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Did not decant this like the first bottle I had, but this was still spectacular. Very similar tasting notes, plus the addition of very sweet cherry.
This bottle tasted a little more advanced to me, but was still quite exceptional. Truly one of the great American wines from a time period where Zinfandel was spectacular.
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WOW. Just WOW. Bought this on advice from Sally Mohr, MS, and it did not disappoint. Felt like this could hold for a few more years, but drinking beautifully right now.
These are some of the great wines of the US. Drank along side growth Bordeaux of similar age, grand Cru Burgundy and other European greats. It held its own and was a more complete wine than many. Special stuff. This bottle of 94 was still very youthful I'd say in a mid secondary phase. No rush but it is awesome right now.
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Medium dark red-garnet color. Nose of fresh plums, raisin, beets, milk chocolate. Medium tannin, low acidity. Amply fruited and chunky in the mouth. Fresh plum and raisin with oaky seasoning in the mouth. Wines like this might persuade many drinkers that zins age nicely, but for me most do not. This is the exception: it's very good indeed. Bottle #12 of twelve.
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Opened this on a whim a few weeks back. It was massive and dark ruby at the start, and really took a few hours to come out of its shell. Deep, dark, brambly red fruits with lots of black pepper, a touch of earth, and some cedar and leather. Powerful and long in the mouth and the fruit notes gained softness with time. this was a killer bottle and very enjoyable.
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This one just holding on. Definitely time to drink....
Lighter red/ruby color. Bright aged Zinfandel nose of red cranberry and cherry with some cedar and a hint of mushrooms. Acidity and tannin peeking through but still well balanced and a pleasure to drink. I wouldn't wait any longer on this wine.
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Tasting of six zinfandels. third place. Lovely rich dark fruit on the nose with a hint of dust, more of the same on the palate, good tasting but not great, supple and rich, nice balance, medium body, at its peak but only two/three years left, medium finish. Tasted three pours.
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8/13/2023 - enthusiastic_amateur Likes this wine: 93 Points
Showing very well, lots of solid structure. Fruit is vibrant. Mistaken for a left bank Bordeaux in bind tasting.
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12/23/2022 - BHRH Likes this wine: 92 Points
Slow ox in glass 45 minutes. No browning on the edges. Bursting with ripe raspberries and strawberries on the nose. Rich, sweet, deep red fruits ( almost liqueur-like) and brambleberry on the palate. Savory, herbal finish with a bit of acidity which threw off most of the blind tasters - leading them to conclude this was a fine, ripe Tuscan wine. Proves once again how well some of the 80s and early 90s Zin can age wonderfully when stored properly (an extra point on that account!).
recommend drinking up sooner than later
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11/8/2018 - bkc1428 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Did not decant this like the first bottle I had, but this was still spectacular. Very similar tasting notes, plus the addition of very sweet cherry.
This bottle tasted a little more advanced to me, but was still quite exceptional. Truly one of the great American wines from a time period where Zinfandel was spectacular.
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10/4/2018 - bkc1428 Likes this wine: 95 Points
WOW. Just WOW. Bought this on advice from Sally Mohr, MS, and it did not disappoint. Felt like this could hold for a few more years, but drinking beautifully right now.
Classic Zinfandel spice, sweet cherries, brambly blackberry, potting soil, savory herbs, and cinnamon.
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10/1/2017 - Andyofoto wrote:
These are some of the great wines of the US. Drank along side growth Bordeaux of similar age, grand Cru Burgundy and other European greats. It held its own and was a more complete wine than many. Special stuff. This bottle of 94 was still very youthful I'd say in a mid secondary phase. No rush but it is awesome right now.
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9/8/2011 - Hodby wrote: 90 Points
Medium dark red-garnet color. Nose of fresh plums, raisin, beets, milk chocolate. Medium tannin, low acidity. Amply fruited and chunky in the mouth. Fresh plum and raisin with oaky seasoning in the mouth. Wines like this might persuade many drinkers that zins age nicely, but for me most do not. This is the exception: it's very good indeed. Bottle #12 of twelve.
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4/3/2010 - kanab ram wrote:
Drank along with a '93. Consistent with others' notes. A bit more tannin structure than the '93. Maturing nicely.
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2/24/2010 - bigwineguy420 wrote: 91 Points
Opened this on a whim a few weeks back. It was massive and dark ruby at the start, and really took a few hours to come out of its shell. Deep, dark, brambly red fruits with lots of black pepper, a touch of earth, and some cedar and leather. Powerful and long in the mouth and the fruit notes gained softness with time. this was a killer bottle and very enjoyable.
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5/23/2008 - locovino wrote: 89 Points
This one just holding on. Definitely time to drink....
Lighter red/ruby color. Bright aged Zinfandel nose of red cranberry and cherry with some cedar and a hint of mushrooms. Acidity and tannin peeking through but still well balanced and a pleasure to drink. I wouldn't wait any longer on this wine.
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5/28/2000 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 91 Points
Tasting of six zinfandels. third place. Lovely rich dark fruit on the nose with a hint of dust, more of the same on the palate, good tasting but not great, supple and rich, nice balance, medium body, at its peak but only two/three years left, medium finish. Tasted three pours.
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3/18/1999 - dbg wrote:
excellent
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8/5/1996 - dbg wrote:
fairly oaky, less fruit than '93 to stand up to it
some leakage around cork but fill within mm of cork, not cooked
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7/19/1996 - dbg wrote: flawed
cooked! all 4 bottles returned
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