A very slight rim of bricking. The rest of the wine to the core is magenta. It has a blueberry funkiness along with the usual Zin funk. Although the wine’s nose acts tight at first giving up very little, eventually, I decide it is simply uninteresting. The flavors follow the nose, but add plum and brown sugar notes. Other than the attack, the wine expresses very little. Ok, for a 15% alc. wine, it is balanced. In fact, the mouthfeel is downright silky smooth, but the finish is bland, linear and without length or depth. A fair dose of sediment shadows most of the shoulder and it throws some slight grains. A blend of 88% Zin, 9% Alicante Bouschet and finished with 3% Petite Sirah. With chicken wings (flavors of old bay as well as mango and pistachio). Recommended with reservations. That the Saints lost to the 49ers in the last 9 seconds of the game didn’t help.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bright tangy cran-blueberry cocktail. No "cigar box" or raisin or port flavors. 15% alcohol very well integrated- no "heat" on the palate. A pleasure. Wish I had more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Classic Zin. Beautiful bright brambly fruit, bit of spice. No tannins, no sediment, no heat, despite 15% alcohol. Plenty of life ahead. Not decanted, poured about 15 minutes ahead. Had with Cassoulet, and then with some Murcia al Vino (Drunken Goat) cheese. Reliable Ridge Pagani.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Spring 06 TAC Vendor Sale (Tokyo American Club): Expressive nose featuring dark brambly, briary fruit and plum. There is also a little zinny pepper, but it never seems to be hot despite the 15% alcohol. In the mouth, sweet but not cloying with a little bit of tannic structure running right down the middle of the palate to keep it interesting. Finishes with a little smoky chocolate spice. Don’t want it often but it can be so very good. At the price, however, there are other things I’d rather drink most days. No need to wait on this. ($38.65)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Purchased on release for $28. Aromas and flavors of plums, prunes, rosehip jelly and a trace of wintergreen. Medium length finish. A restrained, almost rustic style of zin. Drink up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
cool fruit, berry, and a little peppery spice up front. soft on the finish, which isn’t very long nothing wrong with this zin! should last for a couple years...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
9/25/2013 - christyler Does not like this wine:
The alcohol was in check and there was decent balance, but this was just a little too grapey and port-like to be enjoyable. Over the hill?
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/14/2012 - timewithwine wrote:
A very slight rim of bricking. The rest of the wine to the core is magenta. It has a blueberry funkiness along with the usual Zin funk. Although the wine’s nose acts tight at first giving up very little, eventually, I decide it is simply uninteresting. The flavors follow the nose, but add plum and brown sugar notes. Other than the attack, the wine expresses very little. Ok, for a 15% alc. wine, it is balanced. In fact, the mouthfeel is downright silky smooth, but the finish is bland, linear and without length or depth. A fair dose of sediment shadows most of the shoulder and it throws some slight grains. A blend of 88% Zin, 9% Alicante Bouschet and finished with 3% Petite Sirah. With chicken wings (flavors of old bay as well as mango and pistachio). Recommended with reservations. That the Saints lost to the 49ers in the last 9 seconds of the game didn’t help.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/8/2011 - mabrewer7 wrote: 89 Points
Boudacious nose! Holding up very well. Agree with the 'baked plum' comment. Glad we have another one.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/7/2009 - FLI wrote: 91 Points
Bright tangy cran-blueberry cocktail. No "cigar box" or raisin or port flavors. 15% alcohol very well integrated- no "heat" on the palate. A pleasure. Wish I had more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/10/2009 - jfkwines wrote:
Fading fast, but drinkable
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/12/2007 - Alarak wrote: 91 Points
Classic Zin. Beautiful bright brambly fruit, bit of spice. No tannins, no sediment, no heat, despite 15% alcohol. Plenty of life ahead. Not decanted, poured about 15 minutes ahead. Had with Cassoulet, and then with some Murcia al Vino (Drunken Goat) cheese. Reliable Ridge Pagani.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/19/2007 - AlexHop wrote: 90 Points
solid, good fruit still. no hot taste unlike some zins. very balanced. medium finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/7/2007 - mebydef wrote: 89 Points
Turned to wood and dried plum. I didn’t much care for it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/8/2006 - JBVino wrote:
Solid old world style zin.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/3/2006 - jrufusj wrote:
Spring 06 TAC Vendor Sale (Tokyo American Club): Expressive nose featuring dark brambly, briary fruit and plum. There is also a little zinny pepper, but it never seems to be hot despite the 15% alcohol. In the mouth, sweet but not cloying with a little bit of tannic structure running right down the middle of the palate to keep it interesting. Finishes with a little smoky chocolate spice. Don’t want it often but it can be so very good. At the price, however, there are other things I’d rather drink most days. No need to wait on this. ($38.65)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/16/2005 - otisabdul wrote: 86 Points
Similar notes to April '05, with the prunes and stewed fruit even more in the forefront.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/29/2005 - otisabdul wrote: 88 Points
Purchased on release for $28. Aromas and flavors of plums, prunes, rosehip jelly and a trace of wintergreen. Medium length finish. A restrained, almost rustic style of zin. Drink up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/25/2005 - twoamps wrote: 89 Points
good for a 2000
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/8/2003 - twoamps wrote: 89 Points
cool fruit, berry, and a little peppery spice up front. soft on the finish, which isn’t very long nothing wrong with this zin! should last for a couple years...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment