1996 Rosenblum Cellars Zinfandel Harris Kratka Vineyard

Community Tasting Notes (1) Avg Score: 94 points

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  6/1/2023 - forceberry wrote: 92 Points

  A blend of Zinfandel (75%) and Carignan (25%) from the 7-hectare (17-acre) Harris Kratka Vineyard located at the southern end of Alexander Valley. 15% alcohol.
  
  Moderately translucent and somewhat evolved ruby-red color with a brick-red hue. The brooding nose feels somewhat restrained with dark-toned, slightly sweetish aromas of blueberries and boysenberries, some wizened cherry tones, light green-toned nuances of eucalyptus and bay leaf, a little bit of earthy spices, a hint of brambly blackberry and a touch of plum liqueur. The wine feels dense, concentrated and pretty muscular on the palate with a full body and moderately evolved flavors of dark forest fruits and ripe dark plums, some blueberry tones, a little bit of savory oak spice, light cooling nuances of eucalyptus, a developed hint of meat stew with Mediterranean herbs and a touch of earth. The wine is quite high in acidity with still relatively grippy and stern tannins. The high alcohol lends a little bit of warmth to the palate. The finish is long, somewhat evolved and quite tannic with a focused yet not particularly intense aftertaste of sweet dark plums and ripe bilberries, some wild strawberries, light woody notes of savory oak spice, a little bit of eucalyptus, a hint of red licorice and a touch of brambly black raspberry.
  
  A fine, nuanced and tasty Zinfandel that shows some age, yet doesn't come across as too old in any way. Especially structurally the wine feels very impressive, feeling more similar to an old-school Bordeaux rather than any modern peer made from Zinfandel - I guess that might have to do with that rather hefty 1/4 addition of Carignan in the blend. Nevertheless, the wine is otherwise quite archetypal Zinfandel with its ripe, sweet-toned fruit flavors, brambly overtones and high alcohol. The wine is holding up really well for its age; I'd say it is either at its plateau of maturity, or even still on its way up. I wouldn't be surprised if this wine continued to evolve and improve for a handful of years more. Terrific stuff and excellent value at 31€.

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