Sappy, vegetal, and oaky after 11 years. Difficult to imagine how oaky it was when bottled. The style is not a preference but the wine is well made. It has thrown a lot of sediment and has peaked. Drink by 2017. 89-90.
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I won't lie, this Zin tasted like a Bordeaux which is why I liked it. Pencil lead, medium-to-rich body, with strong hints of the earth to showcase that it was dry-farmed.
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Decanted for about 1 hour, put back in the bottle and bought to a BYOB. Dark and spicy on the nose, with a touch of expresso. On the palate this wine is smooth. There is a creaminess in the beginning that mixes with spicy berries and finishes off with a touch of chocolate. Really nice zin. kicking myself for not buying more.
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Great structure along with blackberry and dark cherry fruit. Subtle chocolate overtones on a fairly lengthy finish. Let this decant for at least an hour. Got better over time. This still has a few more years in it. I'd buy again at $27.
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Drinking very well. Paired nicely with a salad topped with confit of duck; sturdy enough to stand up to the vinaigrette dressing, didn't overpower the duck, and the abundant fruit blended well with the pecans and pears.
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I have had quiet a few of these in the last few months and it would say it is really coming around right now. (First few were just so-so an did not post any notes.) Good fruit with berry on the palate and the alcohol is finally in balance. Hints of smoke and darker fruit. Glad I have a few more on hand.
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Upon opening this wine was a bit harsh. A couple hours later it smoothed out a bit. A decent varietal zin with lots of blueberry and plenty weight. Overall not as much pleasure as I would like to see for this price.
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Layers of dark fruit, smoke, earth, chocolate, and spice on the nose. The nose carried through on the palate, leading to a finish that was nicely balanced with plenty of acidity to support the fruit. Got so much better as the night went on. Kicking myself for not decanting. Reminded me of a Martinelli. One of the best Sonoma zins I've had for under $30. Highly recommend finding some of this.
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Nicely balanced, blackberry and spice in the nose. Paired very well with bbq lamb. I don't think this is going to get any better, so planning to drink up the rest of my bottles over the course of 2010.
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I generally don't drink a lot of Zin, and this bottle reminds me why. Was it tasty? Of course--very tasty and heavy dose of fruit. Very approachable on the pop-and-pour with a nose heavy on the red fruit and oak. The palate was over-oaked in my opinion. Very smooth and fruity but pretty one-dimensional. Zin lovers should dig this, but this doesn't inspire me. For my palate 85 points, but I won't rate because I don't generally like red zin.
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A fair amount of fruit. No alcohol burn as with some zins - tannins are balanced nicely. It was ready to drink as soon as I opened it. I would not suggest decanting. This wine is ready to drink now.
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This was a very well balanced Zin. Definitely one of the better Zins I have had lately. Some compare this to Rafanelli, comes close. Smell balckberries and cherries on the nose. Fruit forward but not jammy. Light tannins. Believe it will age well..
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This was a very tasty Zin with BBQ Ribs. It's along the lines of Martinelli, but a bit less fruit and more pepper. Very well balanced and low alcohol for a modern Zin.
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5/13/2016 - Motz wrote: 90 Points
Sappy, vegetal, and oaky after 11 years. Difficult to imagine how oaky it was when bottled. The style is not a preference but the wine is well made. It has thrown a lot of sediment and has peaked. Drink by 2017. 89-90.
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2/16/2016 - ChowHaus Likes this wine: 89 Points
I won't lie, this Zin tasted like a Bordeaux which is why I liked it. Pencil lead, medium-to-rich body, with strong hints of the earth to showcase that it was dry-farmed.
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2/16/2016 - km5 wrote:
Wow, prime aged, cedar mushroom, Bordeaux, amazing. Soft tannins, forest moss served by the best host ever - dave and stephenie!
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12/30/2014 - Wine78613 wrote: 88 Points
Getting old
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11/27/2014 - Wine78613 wrote: 89 Points
Getting a little old, did not enjoy as much as previous bottles.
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12/19/2013 - Wine78613 wrote: 92 Points
Near the top end of its drinking range but still exceptional. Has benefitted from cold storage.
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8/20/2011 - robnmo wrote: 91 Points
Decanted for about 1 hour, put back in the bottle and bought to a BYOB. Dark and spicy on the nose, with a touch of expresso. On the palate this wine is smooth. There is a creaminess in the beginning that mixes with spicy berries and finishes off with a touch of chocolate. Really nice zin. kicking myself for not buying more.
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2/13/2011 - Sniffy-Sniff Likes this wine: 91 Points
Great structure along with blackberry and dark cherry fruit. Subtle chocolate overtones on a fairly lengthy finish. Let this decant for at least an hour. Got better over time. This still has a few more years in it. I'd buy again at $27.
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12/28/2010 - smcg wrote: 90 Points
Drinking very well. Paired nicely with a salad topped with confit of duck; sturdy enough to stand up to the vinaigrette dressing, didn't overpower the duck, and the abundant fruit blended well with the pecans and pears.
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10/1/2010 - mclancy10006 Likes this wine: 90 Points
I have had quiet a few of these in the last few months and it would say it is really coming around right now. (First few were just so-so an did not post any notes.) Good fruit with berry on the palate and the alcohol is finally in balance. Hints of smoke and darker fruit. Glad I have a few more on hand.
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9/22/2010 - skaliner wrote: 95 Points
excellent zinfandel!! Smooth with berries and cream
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8/18/2010 - pkatz wrote: 89 Points
Upon opening this wine was a bit harsh. A couple hours later it smoothed out a bit. A decent varietal zin with lots of blueberry and plenty weight. Overall not as much pleasure as I would like to see for this price.
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7/24/2010 - Sniffy-Sniff Likes this wine: 92 Points
Layers of dark fruit, smoke, earth, chocolate, and spice on the nose. The nose carried through on the palate, leading to a finish that was nicely balanced with plenty of acidity to support the fruit. Got so much better as the night went on. Kicking myself for not decanting. Reminded me of a Martinelli. One of the best Sonoma zins I've had for under $30. Highly recommend finding some of this.
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6/2/2010 - smcg wrote: 90 Points
Nicely balanced, blackberry and spice in the nose. Paired very well with bbq lamb. I don't think this is going to get any better, so planning to drink up the rest of my bottles over the course of 2010.
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4/17/2010 - DRod wrote:
I generally don't drink a lot of Zin, and this bottle reminds me why. Was it tasty? Of course--very tasty and heavy dose of fruit. Very approachable on the pop-and-pour with a nose heavy on the red fruit and oak. The palate was over-oaked in my opinion. Very smooth and fruity but pretty one-dimensional. Zin lovers should dig this, but this doesn't inspire me. For my palate 85 points, but I won't rate because I don't generally like red zin.
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4/17/2010 - magoedecker wrote: 90 Points
A fair amount of fruit. No alcohol burn as with some zins - tannins are balanced nicely. It was ready to drink as soon as I opened it. I would not suggest decanting. This wine is ready to drink now.
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4/15/2010 - SyrahQueen wrote: 90 Points
This was a very well balanced Zin. Definitely one of the better Zins I have had lately. Some compare this to Rafanelli, comes close. Smell balckberries and cherries on the nose. Fruit forward but not jammy. Light tannins. Believe it will age well..
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4/3/2010 - pwarms wrote: 90 Points
Tons of fruit - ahhh you are a tasty little zin...
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4/2/2010 - Mophair wrote: 90 Points
Very nice bottle, smooth tasting, very robust, little hint of blackcherry, have 7 more bottles that should get better with age.
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12/10/2009 - PIntag wrote: 89 Points
Showing a bit more earth and less fruit this time. Some prominent tannins on the finish -- this probably could use a couple more years in bottle.
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11/28/2009 - PIntag wrote: 90 Points
Nicely balanced and beautiful Zin. This one should age very well.
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6/15/2009 - Berno wrote: 93 Points
This was a very tasty Zin with BBQ Ribs. It's along the lines of Martinelli, but a bit less fruit and more pepper. Very well balanced and low alcohol for a modern Zin.
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5/8/2009 - bahiadave wrote:
very sweet, but body needs more heft to balance it. should be better for price.
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2/15/2009 - smcg wrote: 91 Points
Great fruit and balance; drink over the next couple of years
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