Very light in almost every aspect even though it's a Bordeaux blend of Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, and Petit Verdot. It's a good casual wine to have at a picnic or weekday dinner, but nothing special. Surprisingly thin as most Virginia clarets have more varietal character. VA produces very good Cab Francs, but that's not evident here. The Cab Sauv characteristics are dominant. Almost transparent with a wide meniscus. Bouquet is primarily earth and some dark fruit. One dimensional taste of fruit with limited tannins to strengthen it. Almost no finish. There's nothing "wrong" with this wine, but I'm glad this was a gift as it doesn't justify its current $55 retail price.
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I last had this a few years ago and liked it, but it has now truly come into its own. I did not expect to enjoy this as much as I did. The balance of fruit, minerality, spice, and acidity is remarkable. As others have noted it has all the classic Grenache flavors but softened and enhanced by the Cinsault and Syrah. Earlier tastings featured the alcohol, but now it's all in harmony. I wish I had bought more. If you can find it, buy it.
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I posted a review of this wine a year ago and said it needed time to dome together. Thankfully, in one year it is already proving to be a well balanced wine that's ready now. It will likely continue to develop, but the fruit, acid, tannin, and mineral notes are all in harmony now. This wine is much more complex than many other Zins which makes it a real pleasure to enjoy with almost any cuisine. I have one more bottle left, and I'll wait a few years and see just how good this can be.
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2021 Delaplane Cellars Adjacency
2/17/2024 - Wolfde wrote: 85 Points
Very light in almost every aspect even though it's a Bordeaux blend of Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, and Petit Verdot. It's a good casual wine to have at a picnic or weekday dinner, but nothing special. Surprisingly thin as most Virginia clarets have more varietal character. VA produces very good Cab Francs, but that's not evident here. The Cab Sauv characteristics are dominant. Almost transparent with a wide meniscus. Bouquet is primarily earth and some dark fruit. One dimensional taste of fruit with limited tannins to strengthen it. Almost no finish. There's nothing "wrong" with this wine, but I'm glad this was a gift as it doesn't justify its current $55 retail price.
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2007 Roger Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Olivets
12/25/2023 - Wolfde Likes this wine: 93 Points
I last had this a few years ago and liked it, but it has now truly come into its own. I did not expect to enjoy this as much as I did. The balance of fruit, minerality, spice, and acidity is remarkable. As others have noted it has all the classic Grenache flavors but softened and enhanced by the Cinsault and Syrah. Earlier tastings featured the alcohol, but now it's all in harmony. I wish I had bought more. If you can find it, buy it.
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2018 Zialena Zinfandel
10/22/2023 - Wolfde Likes this wine: 92 Points
I posted a review of this wine a year ago and said it needed time to dome together. Thankfully, in one year it is already proving to be a well balanced wine that's ready now. It will likely continue to develop, but the fruit, acid, tannin, and mineral notes are all in harmony now. This wine is much more complex than many other Zins which makes it a real pleasure to enjoy with almost any cuisine. I have one more bottle left, and I'll wait a few years and see just how good this can be.
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