Old Vine Sonoma Zinfandels (Vin Vino Wine, Palo Alto, CA): Lush, dark-fruited, baked plum nose. Full bodied with medium acidity. Chewy black fruits on the palate, moderate tannins, just a touch of heat. Fruit isn't jammy or overripe, just big. This needs time imo.
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I was very pleased with the complexity of this field blend zin. I will get some more at it's price point. I am did take the tour of Bucklin. It was what wine country used to be.
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Notes consistent with past tastings. What continues to surprise me about this historic wine is the subtle, nuanced flavor profile. An expectional wine.
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This wine immediately opens up in the glass and fills their with brambly dark berries and spices. It tastes delicious with complex mix of ripe fruit, spices, herbs, and some white pepper. The flavors are balanced and there is little indication of the 15 percent alcohol levels. The flavors linger with a long finish. This is a great California Zinfandel.
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15.3% Alcohol. Dark ruby red. Made by Will Bucklin. From a 14-acre dry-farmed field-blend (Zinfandel, Grenache, Alicante, Petite, Mourved, Syrah, Carignane, Tempranillo, Tannac and Grand Noir, plus other stuff).
Medium-dark ruby red. Complex and intriguing red and black fruit aromas. Flavors of cherries, plums, blackberries, cranberries, pepper, sage, spice. Great focus, complexity and balance, an aftertaste that lingers for 45 seconds. Very pure and fresh, should continue to improve for several years.
This wine is an unheralded treasure. Old Hill Ranch was planted in 1885. A great year for wine lovers, but a sad year for the Grant family - U.S. Grant, the Civil War hero, passed away. It is said that he was laid to rest in Grant's Tomb. This Zin has many years of vibrant life remaining.
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15.3% alcohol. From one of California's greatest heritage vineyards. Living, producing vines dating from 1885. A field blend - mostly Zinfandel, but also Grenache, Alicante Bouschet, Petite, Mourved, Syrah, Tempranillo and other varieties. Popped and poured. Medium ruby red. Expressive, mostly red fruit aromas. Layered and complex flavors of cherry, cassis, pepper and spice. No hint of alcohol. Very well balanced, focused and restrained flavors. Lingering aftertasted.
I was very excited to taste this - a treat! Much more subtle and nuanced than I expected - fascinating and delicious. An exceptionally cool wine! Bucklin Old Hills are known to thrive with age. I have several more of these and I'll be enjoying their development.
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9/9/2013 - tederf wrote: 90 Points
Very well made old vine zin. Well balanced with long finish. Didn't notice the 15+% alc.
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5/26/2013 - JPMC Likes this wine: 89 Points
Well made old vine zin. Nice fruit. Drinking well now, but can probably cellar for a couple of more years.
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5/5/2013 - patsox wrote: 92 Points
Superb, mature zin from an historic vineyard.
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3/4/2013 - JPMC Likes this wine: 89 Points
Solid Sonoma zin from a really interesting producer.
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7/9/2012 - patsox wrote: 92 Points
Wonderful wine!!
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5/4/2012 - Willsy wrote: 93 Points
Stunning. Big, rich but harmonious. A joy to drink. Very, very good bottle of wine and a lovely example of the variety.
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12/20/2011 - zscheiner Likes this wine: 89 Points
Old Vine Sonoma Zinfandels (Vin Vino Wine, Palo Alto, CA): Lush, dark-fruited, baked plum nose. Full bodied with medium acidity. Chewy black fruits on the palate, moderate tannins, just a touch of heat. Fruit isn't jammy or overripe, just big. This needs time imo.
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10/8/2011 - Wesley wrote: 91 Points
I was very pleased with the complexity of this field blend zin. I will get some more at it's price point. I am did take the tour of Bucklin. It was what wine country used to be.
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10/4/2011 - GlenviewGSW wrote: 91 Points
Comes across much more subtle and well balanced than most zins. Not overly heavy and alcoholic. Nice smooth finish.
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9/4/2011 - patsox wrote: 91 Points
Subtle, nuanced and elegant zin.
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8/24/2011 - Mike Dildine wrote: 92 Points
Notes consistent with past tastings. What continues to surprise me about this historic wine is the subtle, nuanced flavor profile. An expectional wine.
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7/11/2011 - tomlbs wrote: 91 Points
This wine immediately opens up in the glass and fills their with brambly dark berries and spices. It tastes delicious with complex mix of ripe fruit, spices, herbs, and some white pepper. The flavors are balanced and there is little indication of the 15 percent alcohol levels. The flavors linger with a long finish. This is a great California Zinfandel.
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9/19/2010 - Mike Dildine wrote: 93 Points
15.3% Alcohol. Dark ruby red. Made by Will Bucklin. From a 14-acre dry-farmed field-blend (Zinfandel, Grenache, Alicante, Petite, Mourved, Syrah, Carignane, Tempranillo, Tannac and Grand Noir, plus other stuff).
Medium-dark ruby red. Complex and intriguing red and black fruit aromas. Flavors of cherries, plums, blackberries, cranberries, pepper, sage, spice. Great focus, complexity and balance, an aftertaste that lingers for 45 seconds. Very pure and fresh, should continue to improve for several years.
This wine is an unheralded treasure. Old Hill Ranch was planted in 1885. A great year for wine lovers, but a sad year for the Grant family - U.S. Grant, the Civil War hero, passed away. It is said that he was laid to rest in Grant's Tomb. This Zin has many years of vibrant life remaining.
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5/25/2010 - Mike Dildine wrote: 92 Points
15.3% alcohol. From one of California's greatest heritage vineyards. Living, producing vines dating from 1885. A field blend - mostly Zinfandel, but also Grenache, Alicante Bouschet, Petite, Mourved, Syrah, Tempranillo and other varieties. Popped and poured. Medium ruby red. Expressive, mostly red fruit aromas. Layered and complex flavors of cherry, cassis, pepper and spice. No hint of alcohol. Very well balanced, focused and restrained flavors. Lingering aftertasted.
I was very excited to taste this - a treat! Much more subtle and nuanced than I expected - fascinating and delicious. An exceptionally cool wine! Bucklin Old Hills are known to thrive with age. I have several more of these and I'll be enjoying their development.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment