1994 A. Rafanelli Zinfandel

Community Tasting Notes (13) Avg Score: 91.8 points

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  8/13/2023 - enthusiastic_amateur Likes this wine: 93 Points

  Showing very well, lots of solid structure. Fruit is vibrant. Mistaken for a left bank Bordeaux in bind tasting.

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  12/23/2022 - BHRH Likes this wine: 92 Points

  Slow ox in glass 45 minutes. No browning on the edges. Bursting with ripe raspberries and strawberries on the nose. Rich, sweet, deep red fruits ( almost liqueur-like) and brambleberry on the palate. Savory, herbal finish with a bit of acidity which threw off most of the blind tasters - leading them to conclude this was a fine, ripe Tuscan wine. Proves once again how well some of the 80s and early 90s Zin can age wonderfully when stored properly (an extra point on that account!).
  
  recommend drinking up sooner than later

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  11/8/2018 - bkc1428 Likes this wine: 93 Points

  Did not decant this like the first bottle I had, but this was still spectacular. Very similar tasting notes, plus the addition of very sweet cherry.
  
  This bottle tasted a little more advanced to me, but was still quite exceptional. Truly one of the great American wines from a time period where Zinfandel was spectacular.

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  10/4/2018 - bkc1428 Likes this wine: 95 Points

  WOW. Just WOW. Bought this on advice from Sally Mohr, MS, and it did not disappoint. Felt like this could hold for a few more years, but drinking beautifully right now.
  
  Classic Zinfandel spice, sweet cherries, brambly blackberry, potting soil, savory herbs, and cinnamon.

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  10/1/2017 - Andyofoto wrote:

  These are some of the great wines of the US. Drank along side growth Bordeaux of similar age, grand Cru Burgundy and other European greats. It held its own and was a more complete wine than many. Special stuff. This bottle of 94 was still very youthful I'd say in a mid secondary phase. No rush but it is awesome right now.

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