Quite fruit forward.... very nice and in its prime. Good terrior and nice pepper. It has soften to the point where there is no worry on tannins like other Neal wines.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
really like the way this wine is going, but I don't have any more to drink. Decanted for about 90 minutes before first glass. On the nose blueberries, raspberries, vanilla, and just a touch of glycerine. On the palate the body was thicker than I remember. raspberries and blueberries with a really nice kick of cloves on the backend.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A good Zin, with nice dark color and strong floral overtones in the nose with a nice amount of Oak. Not particularly complex, but deep enough to appreciate wiht mild tanins and a hint of sweetness that went great with herb-roasted lamb.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
decanted for about 45 minutes before first glass. On the nose there was blueberries and raspberries with some serious alcohol and a bit of vanilla. On the palate there is lots of oak, and a bit too much heat, but during the last glass, 4 hours later(all in the decanter), the blueberries and raspberries are there with cloves, and just a touch of oak. I like the way this was going with that much time in the decanter, and would have scored higher if not for the heat.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
pop and pour, brought to BYOB. Heavy oak, dark fruit and some vanilla and spice. A bit of heat and harsh. Needed a decant or more time. saved 1/3rd of bottle to see if it improves.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Lighter fruit flavors with a candied quality and some spiciness. Some zip on the palate which went down smooth. Ultimately not as outstanding as I remebered.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very Nice ZIN. Nice berry/ chocalte tones wit ha good finish. I drink it with a Zin lover and she said it was just an outstanding wine. Never had Neal before and is know a fan.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened and let sit out on the counter for about 2 + hours before first glass. Ran each glass through the vinturi before drinking. On the nose glycerine, some slight raspberries, and a bit of clove. on the palate the alcohol was present, the acidity was a bit high, and the fruit while present wasn't as prevalant as I would have liked. I was expecting it to be fuller bodied, with the alcohol as high as it is.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Worst bottle of the 3 I've had. Nice enough nose of Blueberry jam, cinnamon and chocolate, but on the palate if felt a bit hollow. Still had some good flavor going but the finish was a bit too hot for my liking, giving it a bit of a medicinal feel.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Again, there seems to be something slightly off with this bottle. The nose had sort of a clove smell to it. That ain't what this wineusually displays. The palate, however, was not bad. I'm going to set the rest aside for a couple of hours and see what develops.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Good wine, not great. Nose of cedar, mocha, some chocolate, blueberries and spices. Big wine that was nice enough but felt a little disjointed. It didn't come together when drinking. Big spicy tannins and a short-medium finish with some acidity to it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decent food/steak wine. Detected a slight peppery zip and berries. I preferred the 2004 to this, but it's a nice bottle to please a crowd that's thin on winos. Decanted 90 minutes.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This was better at the winery. Took a while to open up. Got almost nothing in the first hour. After that it opened up a little to show a nose of chocolate, bright berries and some spice. Big wine with more tannins than I would expect from a Zin. Towards the end of the bottle, I picked up some cedar and a touch of cinnamon. This was good, but was a lot sharper at the winery, somthing was off this time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and poured while watching football. Primary, red fruit nose. A bit raisiny on the palate. Medium bodied and lacking the bright,berry and briary zin flavors of previous vintages. Reasonably long finish, but still somewhat monolithic. Disappointing given the attractiveness of prior Neal zin releases.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A decent bottle of wine- had with a rib-eye w/ grilled onions and a bake potato. Went okay. Good red fruit nose. A light strawberry jam taste with some pepper. No favors were over powering- a light/complex wine (can I say that...). Was a little hot and acidic on the finish. Food help keep the heat and acid away- without food the heat and acid came through a little too much. Overall a decent wine- I would like it better in the $14.99-19.99 range. As I write this review the wine in memory is growing more on me. Worth the try- everyone's tastes are different.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
PUC Elementary Fundraiser Dinner (Neal Family Vineyards): Another bottle provided for the table by the Neals, this showed aromas of jammy blue fruit and raspberry, along with subtle spice notes. Nice acidity, with spice, white pepper, raspberry and black cherry flavors.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
We opened this right away because the bottle had cracked in shipping. Plum, pepper and spices on the nose, with pepper, spices and jammy strawberry on the palate. This is deicious. A couple of hours later, we found tobacco on the nose, and chocolate on the palate.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Good bouquet but not at all up to previous years. No gravity, just a very light red, good for basics like steak, etc. but loses all flavor when paired with any strong flavors, such as lamb. Disappointed, will let age and see what happens.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Another great QPR Zin from Neal. Big, big wine. Already suprisingly accessable, but should improve considerably with time. Opened 2 hrs and paired well with chorizo-spiced braised butt!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
2/14/2016 - nick&nora Likes this wine:
Always nice
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/5/2016 - nick&nora Likes this wine:
Still have several of these, and they've held up quite nicely. Delicious.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/8/2012 - MPH wrote: 90 Points
Outstanding still. Was expecting a drop off, but this shined tonight.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/8/2011 - spectrumphoto wrote: 92 Points
Quite fruit forward.... very nice and in its prime. Good terrior and nice pepper. It has soften to the point where there is no worry on tannins like other Neal wines.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/7/2011 - dsimmons wrote: 90 Points
The best of these so far
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/26/2010 - JCaress wrote: 88 Points
Nice fruit, opening up well after 1 hour. Pepper, dark berry, not overpowering tannins.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/27/2010 - dsimmons wrote: 92 Points
Nice zin. Needs a little time open to drink at its best. This wine is actually better on day two.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/10/2010 - bbigelow wrote: 96 Points
The Neal Zin is one of my favorite reds ever!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/6/2010 - budman wrote: 91 Points
Last bottle. One of the best.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/26/2009 - robnmo wrote: 88 Points
really like the way this wine is going, but I don't have any more to drink. Decanted for about 90 minutes before first glass. On the nose blueberries, raspberries, vanilla, and just a touch of glycerine. On the palate the body was thicker than I remember.
raspberries and blueberries with a really nice kick of cloves on the backend.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2009 - -m- wrote: 88 Points
A good Zin, with nice dark color and strong floral overtones in the nose with a nice amount of Oak. Not particularly complex, but deep enough to appreciate wiht mild tanins and a hint of sweetness that went great with herb-roasted lamb.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/24/2009 - robnmo wrote: 87 Points
decanted for about 45 minutes before first glass. On the nose there was blueberries and raspberries with some serious alcohol and a bit of vanilla. On the palate there is lots of oak, and a bit too much heat, but during the last glass, 4 hours later(all in the decanter), the blueberries and raspberries are there with cloves, and just a touch of oak. I like the way this was going with that much time in the decanter, and would have scored higher if not for the heat.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/4/2009 - kenito799 wrote: 82 Points
Fruit bomb, very sweet. Not my thing, not bad. I have a hard time understanding why people pay so much for these wines.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/12/2009 - Grape_ape wrote: 88 Points
pop and pour, brought to BYOB. Heavy oak, dark fruit and some vanilla and spice. A bit of heat and harsh. Needed a decant or more time. saved 1/3rd of bottle to see if it improves.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/12/2009 - InternationalWineReport wrote: 80 Points
Showing some charred oak, with tart and plum flavors. Short on the finish. - JD80
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/8/2009 - dsimmons wrote: 90 Points
Decant this for an hour before drinking. A bit harsh on opening but smothes put with a little time. Develops nice zinberry flavors.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/6/2009 - budman wrote: 91 Points
Superb zin - excellent QPR!!!!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/23/2009 - budman wrote: 89 Points
Smooth as silk.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/23/2009 - budman wrote: 90 Points
Great stuff. Can't wait for the 07.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/11/2009 - budman wrote: 92 Points
Best bottle yet!!!! Paired very well with pizza.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/14/2009 - budman wrote: 90 Points
Drank extremely well with stromboli tonight!!!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/1/2009 - gmbdds wrote: 87 Points
Lighter fruit flavors with a candied quality and some spiciness. Some zip on the palate which went down smooth. Ultimately not as outstanding as I remebered.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/1/2009 - GWE wrote: 89 Points
Very Nice ZIN. Nice berry/ chocalte tones wit ha good finish. I drink it with a Zin lover and she said it was just an outstanding wine. Never had Neal before and is know a fan.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/24/2009 - robnmo wrote: 86 Points
Opened and let sit out on the counter for about 2 + hours before first glass. Ran each glass through the vinturi before drinking. On the nose glycerine, some slight raspberries, and a bit of clove. on the palate the alcohol was present, the acidity was a bit high, and the fruit while present wasn't as prevalant as I would have liked. I was expecting it to be fuller bodied, with the alcohol as high as it is.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/17/2009 - hiltondg wrote: 84 Points
Had this at a tasting. Nose of gasoline. Hollow/lacking palate. Not that good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/29/2008 - budman wrote: 90 Points
Really good bottle!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/5/2008 - yonster24 wrote: 84 Points
Worst bottle of the 3 I've had. Nice enough nose of Blueberry jam, cinnamon and chocolate, but on the palate if felt a bit hollow. Still had some good flavor going but the finish was a bit too hot for my liking, giving it a bit of a medicinal feel.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/25/2008 - budman wrote: 88 Points
Again, there seems to be something slightly off with this bottle. The nose had sort of a clove
smell to it. That ain't what this wineusually displays. The palate, however, was not bad.
I'm going to set the rest aside for a couple of hours and see what develops.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/5/2008 - quagland wrote:
Average bottle...Maybe a bit of bottle shock from the 8 day trip...Fruit went out after 2 hours in the bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/1/2008 - dsimmons wrote: 91 Points
Delicious zin, drinking very well.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/13/2008 - budman wrote: 90 Points
Solid effort!!!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/5/2008 - yonster24 wrote: 86 Points
Good wine, not great. Nose of cedar, mocha, some chocolate, blueberries and spices. Big wine that was nice enough but felt a little disjointed. It didn't come together when drinking. Big spicy tannins and a short-medium finish with some acidity to it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/24/2008 - budman wrote: 90 Points
Zingy red fruit. A very good bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/22/2008 - MPH wrote: 88 Points
Decent food/steak wine. Detected a slight peppery zip and berries. I preferred the 2004 to this, but it's a nice bottle to please a crowd that's thin on winos. Decanted 90 minutes.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/6/2008 - yonster24 wrote: 87 Points
This was better at the winery. Took a while to open up. Got almost nothing in the first hour. After that it opened up a little to show a nose of chocolate, bright berries and some spice. Big wine with more tannins than I would expect from a Zin. Towards the end of the bottle, I picked up some cedar and a touch of cinnamon. This was good, but was a lot sharper at the winery, somthing was off this time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/4/2008 - scottj wrote: 85 Points
Popped and poured while watching football. Primary, red fruit nose. A bit raisiny on the palate. Medium bodied and lacking the bright,berry and briary zin flavors of previous vintages. Reasonably long finish, but still somewhat monolithic. Disappointing given the attractiveness of prior Neal zin releases.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/3/2008 - budman wrote: 90 Points
Consistent. Good stuff.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/26/2008 - budman wrote: 90 Points
Me likey!!!!!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/5/2008 - budman wrote: 90 Points
Paired very well with burgers
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/1/2008 - VinoPKM wrote: 87 Points
A decent bottle of wine- had with a rib-eye w/ grilled onions and a bake potato. Went okay. Good red fruit nose. A light strawberry jam taste with some pepper. No favors were over powering- a light/complex wine (can I say that...). Was a little hot and acidic on the finish. Food help keep the heat and acid away- without food the heat and acid came through a little too much. Overall a decent wine- I would like it better in the $14.99-19.99 range. As I write this review the wine in memory is growing more on me. Worth the try- everyone's tastes are different.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/17/2008 - budman wrote: 87 Points
Disappointing, given the last 2 bottles. Perhaps slightly flawed.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/11/2008 - dsimmons wrote: 90 Points
Very nice easy drinking zin with lots for fruit and decent complexity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/9/2008 - budman wrote: 90 Points
My first bottle. It was really tasty. I'll be buying more in the Fall if offered.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/3/2008 - AllRed wrote: 91 Points
PUC Elementary Fundraiser Dinner (Neal Family Vineyards): Another bottle provided for the table by the Neals, this showed aromas of jammy blue fruit and raspberry, along with subtle spice notes. Nice acidity, with spice, white pepper, raspberry and black cherry flavors.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/5/2008 - nick&nora wrote:
We opened this right away because the bottle had cracked in shipping. Plum, pepper and spices on the nose, with pepper, spices and jammy strawberry on the palate. This is deicious. A couple of hours later, we found tobacco on the nose, and chocolate on the palate.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/25/2008 - Tastemaster wrote: 75 Points
Good bouquet but not at all up to previous years. No gravity, just a very light red, good for basics like steak, etc. but loses all flavor when paired with any strong flavors, such as lamb. Disappointed, will let age and see what happens.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/24/2008 - good old ludwig van wrote: 88 Points
Didn't get a lot of specifics on this. Went fine with BBQ pork tenderloin, but I'm not real impressed overall.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/5/2008 - Chasse wrote: 91 Points
Another great QPR Zin from Neal. Big, big wine. Already suprisingly accessable, but should improve considerably with time. Opened 2 hrs and paired well with chorizo-spiced braised butt!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment