Very different from the last bottle of this I opened back in May. 2hrs decanted before it came together. Blackberry, cloves, tart acidity, mild tannins. A touch of age on the nose but overall fresh and lively when it finally opened up. Really good.
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A vertical of Joseph Swan Zins (Scott & Jo's): First, how did an 02 wine get to be 14 years old. SMH. Once I get over that, this is more clearly a Zin. The nose has cherries, some black raspberries, and bramble. Also, some black pepper which would be a theme with the younger wines. There is some dust in the background. Juicy acidity. Black raspberries, dark cherries and a slight moist earthiness to it. The longest finish I think of any wine this night. Worked with both courses of food. Seems like it will last a lot longer. On its own, I did not notice age. Only later when drinking younger ones and going back to this, did I appreciate that this was showing older characteristics. Eventually, this should be every bit the wine the 94 is. Maybe better.
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First I was surprised by how light and bright in color the wine was when I poured it. Then, I was equally surprised by its intensity and range of flavors. A really good zin that held up well to zesty barbecued pork spare ribs. Wish I had more.
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2 Chard, 8 Zins, 2 Ports: Somewhat disappointing but only because I had high hopes for this. Still drinking nicely. Ruby in color with some browning. The nose has a fair amount of VA with some black raspberries. On the palate, soft, sweet black cherries. Tannins and a mint component on the finish. Worked much better with food. 15.3% Alc and not really noticeable.
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15.3% alcohol. Such a youthful wine. Beautiful red color. Terrific bouquet mixing in red with typical black Zinfandel fruit. Excellent spicy character and fabulous acidity that keeps the wine very focused and eliminates any possibility of flabbiness. Quite complex, more so than the average Zin. These Swans just age so well. This is still young, and it will drink well for at least a couple more years. No heat on the finish. Still a touch of tannin. Excellent. A-
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Nose: Beautiful black and blueberry, cakespice. Perfumed and really lovely.
Taste: Mature Zinfandel, firmly in the connaisseur's spectrum. A very late release for a 2002, but showing outstanding balance, structure, rhubarb and cherry fruit, complex tea flavors and excellent length. Superb.
Summary: Most Zins are styled in big, extracted, high alcohol blockbuster themes these days....and more than a few of us are sick of that. This Zin is totally opposite; its an intellectual wine, showing the delicate nature of the grape if vinified correctly. No need to wax poetic on the merits of this winery, its well documented.
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Purchased recently, this wine was a little tired and over the hill. Showing dark fruits, acetone and earthy flavors, it was probably 2 years past it's drinking peak.
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Not the best fit for my palate. I prefer a darker zin that's got more oak to match to the fruit. This is a bit lighter than some other favorites like Dashe or Bella and would be best paired with food. It is a 2002 and I'm comparing to 2004 zins....
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5/4/2019 - blank blank wrote: flawed
Oxidized. Cork seemed fine, wine wasn’t tho.
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7/27/2016 - River Rat Likes this wine:
Very different from the last bottle of this I opened back in May. 2hrs decanted before it came together. Blackberry, cloves, tart acidity, mild tannins. A touch of age on the nose but overall fresh and lively when it finally opened up. Really good.
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1/25/2016 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 91 Points
A vertical of Joseph Swan Zins (Scott & Jo's): First, how did an 02 wine get to be 14 years old. SMH. Once I get over that, this is more clearly a Zin. The nose has cherries, some black raspberries, and bramble. Also, some black pepper which would be a theme with the younger wines. There is some dust in the background. Juicy acidity. Black raspberries, dark cherries and a slight moist earthiness to it. The longest finish I think of any wine this night. Worked with both courses of food. Seems like it will last a lot longer. On its own, I did not notice age. Only later when drinking younger ones and going back to this, did I appreciate that this was showing older characteristics. Eventually, this should be every bit the wine the 94 is. Maybe better.
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3/4/2015 - rsprouse Likes this wine: 90 Points
First I was surprised by how light and bright in color the wine was when I poured it. Then, I was equally surprised by its intensity and range of flavors. A really good zin that held up well to zesty barbecued pork spare ribs. Wish I had more.
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7/6/2013 - srp_gc Likes this wine:
Good Zinfandel; lots of fruit and flavour; and feels like there's still more life in it.
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5/6/2011 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 87 Points
2 Chard, 8 Zins, 2 Ports: Somewhat disappointing but only because I had high hopes for this. Still drinking nicely. Ruby in color with some browning. The nose has a fair amount of VA with some black raspberries. On the palate, soft, sweet black cherries. Tannins and a mint component on the finish. Worked much better with food. 15.3% Alc and not really noticeable.
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6/29/2010 - pontac wrote: 79 Points
Seems past it: smells like an old wine with a sherry like smell. Thin fading fruit, old wine. Why? I'ts less than 8 years old?
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9/3/2009 - DocH wrote: 84 Points
A good Californian Zin, well balanced but lacking complexity as too smooth. Not sure if this will improve.
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7/27/2008 - gutt22 wrote:
15.3% alcohol. Such a youthful wine. Beautiful red color. Terrific bouquet mixing in red with typical black Zinfandel fruit. Excellent spicy character and fabulous acidity that keeps the wine very focused and eliminates any possibility of flabbiness. Quite complex, more so than the average Zin. These Swans just age so well. This is still young, and it will drink well for at least a couple more years. No heat on the finish. Still a touch of tannin. Excellent. A-
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10/1/2007 - RSLyss wrote: 91 Points
Nose: Beautiful black and blueberry, cakespice. Perfumed and really lovely.
Taste: Mature Zinfandel, firmly in the connaisseur's spectrum. A very late release for a 2002, but showing outstanding balance, structure, rhubarb and cherry fruit, complex tea flavors and excellent length. Superb.
Summary: Most Zins are styled in big, extracted, high alcohol blockbuster themes these days....and more than a few of us are sick of that. This Zin is totally opposite; its an intellectual wine, showing the delicate nature of the grape if vinified correctly. No need to wax poetic on the merits of this winery, its well documented.
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8/15/2007 - jaimetown wrote:
Purchased recently, this wine was a little tired and over the hill. Showing dark fruits, acetone and earthy flavors, it was probably 2 years past it's drinking peak.
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2/24/2007 - MBrown wrote: 86 Points
Not the best fit for my palate. I prefer a darker zin that's got more oak to match to the fruit. This is a bit lighter than some other favorites like Dashe or Bella and would be best paired with food. It is a 2002 and I'm comparing to 2004 zins....
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