A high extract, high intensity, high alcohol, high oak, soft and slightly sweet Zin. Actually quite pleasing if you like this style of wine. Almost better to drink by itself than with food.
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As a value offering, I understand the appeal of this, but this was not an enjoyable pour for me. A heavy hand with oak with missing acidity to keep it in tension, so it just feels disorganized. Could potentially work with a food pairing, but this wasn't my thing. There are other American zinfandels in this price range that I would rather seek out instead.
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Blind tasting for New Years Eve. 4 zins: Rombauer 2018, Klinker Brick 2015, Ancient Peaks 2016, Turley Pesenti Vineyard 2018. Ancient Peaks most preferred by a landslide. Turley was a little hot out of the bottle and may need some time. Klinker Brick a close second. Pains me to say but Rombauer a distant 4th. Both Ancient Peaks and Klinker Brick offer great value. Hopefully future vintages keep up the quality. Nice work!
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A little different. Dark fruit - cherry, berry. A little peppery and smoky, which is what makes this one different. Rounded and full. Pairs well with various smoked foods.
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Brambly black fruit, dark chocolate, spices, and more than a hint of watermelon. The palate is smooth, balanced, with ripe dark fruit that borders on shriveled. Ample acidity keeps everything in place. Tasty.
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Enticing nose of purple fruit (plums, currants), vanilla and cocoa; a bomb of plums and other dark fruit, almost sweet, a touch of chocolate and spice, and a classic zippy, briary midpalate and finish; crunchy tannins for balance. Give it an hour or so after popping to let the tannins settle down. Terrific value and sure to be a crowd pleaser with barbecue, pot roast, or other such fare.
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P: Med body; ALMOST swtish frt (threshold R.S.?) nicely counterbalanced by an acidity which morphs into a LONG, decently balanced, finish with a puckery swtness (& occasional VERY slight bitterness) to the dusty tannins. NEEDS into, if not through, '20, then drinking for 3 yrs more. My VG+, more IF it handles the cellaring -- & one takes into account this vendor's $13.99, which is AS competitive as anyone currently listed on wine-searcher.
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12/22/2021 - oakville72 Likes this wine: 88 Points
A high extract, high intensity, high alcohol, high oak, soft and slightly sweet Zin. Actually quite pleasing if you like this style of wine. Almost better to drink by itself than with food.
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5/4/2021 - dbast Does not like this wine: 85 Points
As a value offering, I understand the appeal of this, but this was not an enjoyable pour for me. A heavy hand with oak with missing acidity to keep it in tension, so it just feels disorganized. Could potentially work with a food pairing, but this wasn't my thing. There are other American zinfandels in this price range that I would rather seek out instead.
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12/31/2020 - SDzinner wrote: 92 Points
Blind tasting for New Years Eve. 4 zins: Rombauer 2018, Klinker Brick 2015, Ancient Peaks 2016, Turley Pesenti Vineyard 2018. Ancient Peaks most preferred by a landslide. Turley was a little hot out of the bottle and may need some time. Klinker Brick a close second. Pains me to say but Rombauer a distant 4th. Both Ancient Peaks and Klinker Brick offer great value. Hopefully future vintages keep up the quality. Nice work!
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6/28/2020 - Stampeder Likes this wine: 89 Points
A little different. Dark fruit - cherry, berry. A little peppery and smoky, which is what makes this one different. Rounded and full. Pairs well with various smoked foods.
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6/1/2020 - Baron Slick wrote: 91 Points
Brambly black fruit, dark chocolate, spices, and more than a hint of watermelon. The palate is smooth, balanced, with ripe dark fruit that borders on shriveled. Ample acidity keeps everything in place. Tasty.
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5/31/2020 - HB&LC Likes this wine:
Awesome!!
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5/31/2020 - HB&LC Likes this wine:
Amazing bitchin Zin!! $19 in Tacoma
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9/9/2019 - BobMilton Likes this wine: 90 Points
Good dark fruit, rich but not jammy.
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8/15/2019 - CappyD Likes this wine: 90 Points
Quite dark, rich and smooth. Seems like a real winner. Excellent on day 2 also
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8/15/2019 - SLOman Likes this wine: 90 Points
Drinking nicely now
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4/28/2019 - Grantmanon Likes this wine: 90 Points
Strong dark fruit, vanilla
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3/19/2019 - SLOman Likes this wine: 89 Points
Nice now but could use some decanting (air time) to soften the finish. Should improve for the next couple years. Great P/V
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3/15/2019 - SLOman Likes this wine: 88 Points
Very nice nose, good fruit on the palate, not so great finish. Should benefit from a couple years in the bottle to mellow/mature imho.
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2/3/2019 - wahoo70 wrote: 90 Points
Enticing nose of purple fruit (plums, currants), vanilla and cocoa; a bomb of plums and other dark fruit, almost sweet, a touch of chocolate and spice, and a classic zippy, briary midpalate and finish; crunchy tannins for balance. Give it an hour or so after popping to let the tannins settle down. Terrific value and sure to be a crowd pleaser with barbecue, pot roast, or other such fare.
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7/31/2018 - Macki wrote:
Full bore zin gets it done at price point. Good acidity
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6/30/2018 - srh Likes this wine:
4th of July BBQ Wines (San Diego Wine Co.): Aged 16 mos in FR & AM oak barrels; 15.5% ABV, 0.648 g/mL T.A., & 4.13 pH.
N: Smokey bacon
P: Med body; ALMOST swtish frt (threshold R.S.?) nicely counterbalanced by an acidity which morphs into a LONG, decently balanced, finish with a puckery swtness (& occasional VERY slight bitterness) to the dusty tannins. NEEDS into, if not through, '20, then drinking for 3 yrs more. My VG+, more IF it handles the cellaring -- & one takes into account this vendor's $13.99, which is AS competitive as anyone currently listed on wine-searcher.
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