Big, brambly Zin that doesn't hold anything back. Some dark fruit, a touch of raisin, earth, and supple tannins frame this wine. Despite the fairly high ABV it seems rather balanced for this style of Zin (big!). Drinking well and will probably continue to do so for the next 2-3 years. 93 pts. PJP 2016.
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Spicy finish with a little heat. Red fruit, hint of cocoa, hint of licorice. Fairly long finish. Only let decant for like 30 minutes. Probably could have waited longer. Got smoother as it opened up.
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Similar tasting notes as previous. Seemed like it needed more of a decant than what we gave it, but we were powering through some great bottles. Thinking it could use more time in the cellar. 90-92 pts. PJP 2015.
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Decanted 4 hours and had with BBQ ribs. Wonderful pairing. Dark fruit on the nose was enticing. Jammy bramble speaks all the way through a long finish. What a great wine with tannins to ensure a long lay down and an even greater product in the future.
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Popped, poured, drank with burgers. Cellar temp. Over the course of 45-60 minutes. Was neither as impressed as I remember being, years back, nor as impressed as others here seem to continue to be. Smooth, to be sure, but somehow unexceptional. Will revisit the leftover half today and report in. ............... Originally gave this an 86-87. Came back to this one and two days later, intending to use it in a coq au vin -- and found it suddenly too delicious to waste on a bird. In 24-48 hrs it integrated into a luscious, chocolate, redcurrant silky-smooth number. Have upgraded accordingly. Would recommend opening/decanting at *least* a few hours before serving.
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Great example of an old vine Dry Creek Zin. Subtle concentration with a bit of prune and raisin and other dark fruits on the nose and palate. Nice touch of oak and acidity round this one out. Will hold up for a few more years. 90-92 pts. PJP 2013.
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Expressive nose of black raspberry, dark cherry, cocoa and herbs. Medium body black and red raspberry, espresso, and white pepper. Moderate tannins and medium plus finish.
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Full ruby color. Nose: rich, sweet Boysenberry and cherry reduction with accents of licorice, marzipan/candied nuts, Dr. Pepper cola, and some roasted herbs. Medium/full body on the silky palate: sweet candied cherry and juicy Boysenberry fruit framed by graham cracker, licorice, mocha, and black tea. Medium+ acidity. Lighter tannins. Lingering graham cracker, black tea, and mocha on the long finish. A little heat on the back end. Lusty and rich, yet with a distinctly high-toned and refined character which never veers into brash or gooey...stays fresh on the palate. Classic, distinctly DCV Zin. Give it another year in the bottle to fully integrate and enjoy over the next 5 years.
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Awesome nose. Very nice red fruit flavor. Just a little young. Needs to develop in the bottle another year or so to be the wine that we tasted in the barrel.
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Delicious taste treat. Nose has amaretto, black fruit, black berry leaf, sweet pastry dough with marzipan. Full on approachable! Rich mouthfeel, nice balance, good acidity. Has nice integrity to the structure.
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1/26/2018 - norzano Likes this wine: 88 Points
Big difference two years later. I think this is on the way down. Some bramble, raspberry, raisin notes.
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11/13/2016 - ppaluszewski Likes this wine: 93 Points
Big, brambly Zin that doesn't hold anything back. Some dark fruit, a touch of raisin, earth, and supple tannins frame this wine. Despite the fairly high ABV it seems rather balanced for this style of Zin (big!). Drinking well and will probably continue to do so for the next 2-3 years. 93 pts. PJP 2016.
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9/20/2015 - norzano Likes this wine: 90 Points
Spicy finish with a little heat. Red fruit, hint of cocoa, hint of licorice. Fairly long finish. Only let decant for like 30 minutes. Probably could have waited longer. Got smoother as it opened up.
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8/15/2015 - ppaluszewski Likes this wine:
Similar tasting notes as previous. Seemed like it needed more of a decant than what we gave it, but we were powering through some great bottles. Thinking it could use more time in the cellar. 90-92 pts. PJP 2015.
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4/18/2015 - brminz wrote: 93 Points
Properly decanted (at least 3-4 hours), this wine is smooth, complex and rich.
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4/18/2015 - Kahnru12 wrote: 89 Points
Still bright but starting to lose some chewiness and depth. Mouth feel is quite enjoyable. Drink it up.
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5/21/2014 - wormfarmer wrote:
Ha! Failed to read my previous note. Popped and poured and this is what I wrote *before* I read my earlier note:
Seemed rather unexceptional this eve. Monodimensional. Blackberries.
I'm not entering a score here. Others seemed to love this wine and it seems possible I wasn't paying great attention to it at this point in the eve.
Would certainly continue to recommend an early open and decant for others, though.
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1/10/2014 - Kahnru12 wrote: 91 Points
Decanted 4 hours and had with BBQ ribs. Wonderful pairing. Dark fruit on the nose was enticing. Jammy bramble speaks all the way through a long finish. What a great wine with tannins to ensure a long lay down and an even greater product in the future.
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12/6/2013 - wormfarmer wrote: 90 Points
Popped, poured, drank with burgers. Cellar temp. Over the course of 45-60 minutes. Was neither as impressed as I remember being, years back, nor as impressed as others here seem to continue to be. Smooth, to be sure, but somehow unexceptional. Will revisit the leftover half today and report in.
...............
Originally gave this an 86-87. Came back to this one and two days later, intending to use it in a coq au vin -- and found it suddenly too delicious to waste on a bird. In 24-48 hrs it integrated into a luscious, chocolate, redcurrant silky-smooth number. Have upgraded accordingly. Would recommend opening/decanting at *least* a few hours before serving.
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10/10/2013 - blabbott wrote: 92 Points
This wine starts with a spicy dark fruit nose. This is followed by big, rich, spicy dark fruit flavors and a long full finish.
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8/14/2013 - ppaluszewski Likes this wine: 91 Points
Great example of an old vine Dry Creek Zin. Subtle concentration with a bit of prune and raisin and other dark fruits on the nose and palate. Nice touch of oak and acidity round this one out. Will hold up for a few more years. 90-92 pts. PJP 2013.
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10/31/2012 - cdmiller450 wrote: 90 Points
A little immature, with age, should be a great wine.
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5/30/2012 - Kssexton wrote: 85 Points
Blackberry, currants, herbs and pepper on the nose. Sweet berry and pepper with a smooth finish
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5/22/2012 - bobpsi wrote: 90 Points
Expressive nose of black raspberry, dark cherry, cocoa and herbs. Medium body black and red raspberry, espresso, and white pepper. Moderate tannins and medium plus finish.
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3/14/2012 - nieuwoudt Likes this wine: 92 Points
much better than 6 months ago but could still use some time...
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3/9/2012 - Michael K. Likes this wine: 89 Points
nuanced, but mostly sweet & jammy
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2/11/2012 - spee wrote: 92 Points
Took some time to really open up.
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12/17/2011 - jsums wrote: 91 Points
Full ruby color. Nose: rich, sweet Boysenberry and cherry reduction with accents of licorice, marzipan/candied nuts, Dr. Pepper cola, and some roasted herbs. Medium/full body on the silky palate: sweet candied cherry and juicy Boysenberry fruit framed by graham cracker, licorice, mocha, and black tea. Medium+ acidity. Lighter tannins. Lingering graham cracker, black tea, and mocha on the long finish. A little heat on the back end. Lusty and rich, yet with a distinctly high-toned and refined character which never veers into brash or gooey...stays fresh on the palate. Classic, distinctly DCV Zin. Give it another year in the bottle to fully integrate and enjoy over the next 5 years.
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7/29/2011 - CousinGreg wrote: 85 Points
Awesome nose. Very nice red fruit flavor. Just a little young. Needs to develop in the bottle another year or so to be the wine that we tasted in the barrel.
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6/19/2011 - KRakowski wrote: 90 Points
Full-bodied, cocoa and berries, very smooth
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5/6/2011 - Russ P wrote: 92 Points
Cocoa, licorice, dusty chocolate powder and a bit of spice. Developed quickly after opening.
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4/16/2011 - rosesandthorns wrote: 89 Points
Delicious taste treat. Nose has amaretto, black fruit, black berry leaf, sweet pastry dough with marzipan. Full on approachable! Rich mouthfeel, nice balance, good acidity. Has nice integrity to the structure.
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