Ship has sailed on this one, I’m afraid. Took a flyer on it at auction but just drinking poorly. Since it usually takes a few years in bottle I thought it might be interesting. Was wrong. One more that I will try here shortly.
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It was up from the cellars for this 15 year old beauty. I'm sure in its prime it was a big bad bruiser, a smack you in the face, smash your tongue splash of berries, wood, and brambleberry spice cake.
Well, after 15 long years its (finally) matured into that senior statesman, an almost aloof, sophisticated, suave, elegant, smooth, balanced, gentleman. The alcohol was present but not a dominate presence. Nice.
I don't think BEVETROPPO gave it enough time. And I only single him out because he wrote the only other interesting review over the past 15 years on this wine. THANK YOU!!
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I inadvertently acquired about eight diverse bottles of estate/single vineyard Storybook Mountain Zinfandels when they sort of fell into my lap after several friends and I acquired a cellar. They were like the last kids chosen in a pickup baseball game and they ended up on my team more because I had to take them than because I wanted to. I opened this one tonight when my wife needed a couple cups of red wine to make her famous short ribs for a dinner party, and I figured if nothing else it would have plenty of flavor to impart. The color is still a dense dark red, barely translucent at the center. The nose is bold and heavy with blackberry jam and a leathery brambly quality. It doesn't quite singe the nostril hairs but the alcohol is palpable. Big and syrupy as it sloshes around in your mouth, it seems low in acid leaving an unpleasantly long unbalanced finish with a lingering medicinal taste. Ok, so this isn't my cup of tea to begin with, but there isn't anything about it that makes me feel I'm missing something by generally avoiding wines of its ilk. Listed at 14.5%. Good luck to the short ribs.
Bright disc. Opaque ruby robe with red rim. Clean nose, showing ripe blackberry, chocolate, smoke and vanilla. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, with ample sweet tannins and good varietal character. Medium, fairly smooth finish. Would benefit from a year in the bottle to settle down, but this is quite nice even now.
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2/2/2024 - M.J.G. wrote: flawed
Ship has sailed on this one, I’m afraid. Took a flyer on it at auction but just drinking poorly. Since it usually takes a few years in bottle I thought it might be interesting. Was wrong. One more that I will try here shortly.
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1/28/2017 - BarrelFermented wrote: 86 Points
Nose is oxidative, a little past it's prime but still has structure and fruit. Others in the tasting really liked it
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9/2/2016 - bobadopolis Likes this wine: 92 Points
Wow. What a treasure.
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8/6/2015 - UpfromtheCellar wrote: 90 Points
It was up from the cellars for this 15 year old beauty. I'm sure in its prime it was a big bad bruiser, a smack you in the face, smash your tongue splash of berries, wood, and brambleberry spice cake.
Well, after 15 long years its (finally) matured into that senior statesman, an almost aloof, sophisticated, suave, elegant, smooth, balanced, gentleman. The alcohol was present but not a dominate presence. Nice.
I don't think BEVETROPPO gave it enough time. And I only single him out because he wrote the only other interesting review over the past 15 years on this wine. THANK YOU!!
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12/25/2011 - Winestache wrote: 88 Points
Still has alot to offer but I sense this will soon be gone. Alot of fruit on the front and a soft finish.
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3/26/2009 - bevetroppo wrote: 86 Points
I inadvertently acquired about eight diverse bottles of estate/single vineyard Storybook Mountain Zinfandels when they sort of fell into my lap after several friends and I acquired a cellar. They were like the last kids chosen in a pickup baseball game and they ended up on my team more because I had to take them than because I wanted to. I opened this one tonight when my wife needed a couple cups of red wine to make her famous short ribs for a dinner party, and I figured if nothing else it would have plenty of flavor to impart. The color is still a dense dark red, barely translucent at the center. The nose is bold and heavy with blackberry jam and a leathery brambly quality. It doesn't quite singe the nostril hairs but the alcohol is palpable. Big and syrupy as it sloshes around in your mouth, it seems low in acid leaving an unpleasantly long unbalanced finish with a lingering medicinal taste. Ok, so this isn't my cup of tea to begin with, but there isn't anything about it that makes me feel I'm missing something by generally avoiding wines of its ilk. Listed at 14.5%. Good luck to the short ribs.
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6/21/2008 - buckeye76 wrote: 92 Points
LICORICE, BRIARY FRUIT, BLACKBERRIES IN THE NOSE. BLACK CHERRIES IN THE FLAVOR WITH A HINT OF EARTHINESS. MEDIUM LENGTH FINISH.
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11/22/2002 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: 91 Points
Tasted at San Diego Wine Company tasting bar. Similar impression as 11/15/02.
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11/15/2002 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: 91 Points
Bright disc. Opaque ruby robe with red rim. Clean nose, showing ripe blackberry, chocolate, smoke and vanilla. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, with ample sweet tannins and good varietal character. Medium, fairly smooth finish. Would benefit from a year in the bottle to settle down, but this is quite nice even now.
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