This was a bottle gifted to me many years ago and subsequently "lost" in a corner of the cellar until today when I found it moving a few boxes around. With the caveat that this is a big, "in your face" style of wine that is definitely not my usual drinking sweet spot, this is actually pretty palatable.
Ripe blackberry fruit on the nose and palate. The finish is marred somewhat by an alcohol note, but I could see folks enjoying this with a burger, ribs or a steak.
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After decanting it, on the nose, i got candied strawberries, really a fake sugary smell, on the palette I got nothing but sourness, it gave a very weak fruit attempt but it was very very sour. It was pretty bland, and it was REALLY HOT on the back end.
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Ripe aromas of black currant, violets, cedar, raw beef, and cherry starbursts. Surprising balanced flavors. At first, the wine seemed very hot, and I thought that the fruit had faded. After opening for an hour, it was great. Lots of tar and blackberry on the palate. Some pepper and cedar too. Not too over the top.
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I was a little worried looking at these reviews, but this was kinda delicious. A New World Fruit Bomb that is balanced, not by acidity, but by a peppery spiceness owed to the viognier. Yes, tanins are low and this is NOT an elegant wine. BUT YOU HAD TO KNOW WHAT YOU WERE GETTING INTO!!! This is an Aussie co-feremented shiraz-viognier for 15 bucks. What did you think you were buying- a fine bordeaux? Anyway, this is interesting enough on its own or with a steak.
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I like to think that packaging doesn’t play a part in my appreciation for a wine. But I’d guess it’s probably part of my 92 points for this one. Damn! I LOVE the Z with a perpendicular line through it! ..and the red footprint, Zonte’s Footstep, is grand! As for the wine, I’m partial, and with good reason, to the Syrah/Viognier blend. It’s as good as it gets, for my taste. I think the Rhone probably has rivers flowing with this nectar. Aromatically intense, bountiful, full of rose petals and pumpkin-sized black raspberries. It’s the double chocolate velvet cake of the wine industry. Buy more!
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Shiraz-Viognier Designation vs Cote Rotie (The Club Birmingham): I am a big fan of Syrah/Viognier combos, especially if there has been some co-fermentation. This is, however, wide of the mark, and fundamentally over-priced plonk at $15 retail..not very enthused about this wine. Went next to a Brune et Blonde (Guigal 1999) so all was not lost for the evening
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4/12/2022 - Bob H wrote:
This was a bottle gifted to me many years ago and subsequently "lost" in a corner of the cellar until today when I found it moving a few boxes around. With the caveat that this is a big, "in your face" style of wine that is definitely not my usual drinking sweet spot, this is actually pretty palatable.
Ripe blackberry fruit on the nose and palate. The finish is marred somewhat by an alcohol note, but I could see folks enjoying this with a burger, ribs or a steak.
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2/4/2010 - jcwilson wrote: 87 Points
Pam and I both liked
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6/19/2008 - Kreepy13 wrote: 78 Points
After decanting it, on the nose, i got candied strawberries, really a fake sugary smell, on the palette I got nothing but sourness, it gave a very weak fruit attempt but it was very very sour. It was pretty bland, and it was REALLY HOT on the back end.
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5/27/2008 - Patches wrote: 88 Points
Ripe aromas of black currant, violets, cedar, raw beef, and cherry starbursts. Surprising balanced flavors. At first, the wine seemed very hot, and I thought that the fruit had faded. After opening for an hour, it was great. Lots of tar and blackberry on the palate. Some pepper and cedar too. Not too over the top.
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5/26/2008 - BodegaDan wrote: 88 Points
I was a little worried looking at these reviews, but this was kinda delicious. A New World Fruit Bomb that is balanced, not by acidity, but by a peppery spiceness owed to the viognier. Yes, tanins are low and this is NOT an elegant wine. BUT YOU HAD TO KNOW WHAT YOU WERE GETTING INTO!!! This is an Aussie co-feremented shiraz-viognier for 15 bucks. What did you think you were buying- a fine bordeaux? Anyway, this is interesting enough on its own or with a steak.
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7/4/2007 - Lukeout wrote:
Mushy in the mouth and not in a good way. Not a fan. No tannins or backbone to speak of while at the same time carrying a lot of undefined fruityness.
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3/14/2007 - Syrogr wrote: 92 Points
I like to think that packaging doesn’t play a part in my appreciation for a wine. But I’d guess it’s probably part of my 92 points for this one. Damn! I LOVE the Z with a perpendicular line through it! ..and the red footprint, Zonte’s Footstep, is grand! As for the wine, I’m partial, and with good reason, to the Syrah/Viognier blend. It’s as good as it gets, for my taste. I think the Rhone probably has rivers flowing with this nectar. Aromatically intense, bountiful, full of rose petals and pumpkin-sized black raspberries. It’s the double chocolate velvet cake of the wine industry. Buy more!
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9/17/2006 - TEDL wrote: 82 Points
Interesting. Better than expected.
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6/22/2006 - Lukeout wrote:
my first Shiraz/Viognier. Big, but it seemed overly "Grapey" (ala Welch's). Not my favorite, but certainly drinkable.
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3/24/2006 - amax wrote: 88 Points
Big, soft taste with a lot of fruit and nice mouth feel, not structured but good to drink.
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5/25/2005 - 1800kidney wrote: 82 Points
Shiraz-Viognier Designation vs Cote Rotie (The Club Birmingham): I am a big fan of Syrah/Viognier combos, especially if there has been some co-fermentation. This is, however, wide of the mark, and fundamentally over-priced plonk at $15 retail..not very enthused about this wine. Went next to a Brune et Blonde (Guigal 1999) so all was not lost for the evening
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