2016 Cabot Vineyards Tributary

Community Tasting Notes (2) Avg Score: 93 points

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  2/23/2022 - wineshlub wrote: 93 Points

  Popped and poured. Complex aroma includes roses, cherry, and some leafy notes. Clean flavor of cherry up front, bramble mid palate, full and slightly bitter finish. This manages to be hearty and delicate at the same time, a nice balancing act. Another outstanding Berskerkerday purchase.

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  4/15/2020 - ptaylor2112 wrote:

  This is my first northern California Zinfandel, and I am not a Zin person, so I am not going to rate this wine. Cabot was unable to make Zin for a couple of vintages due to forest fires. I’ve had several Cabot Syrahs (love them!), so when this Zin came up on Berserker Day, I placed an order. Tasted over two days in a tulip style glass.
  
  Day 1: I like that this is nothing like the stereotypical, jammy fruit bombs found in the grocery store. This one is dark and brooding. The color is deep purple, with a slight watery edge. I get a little blackberry on the nose, and a touch of graphite, but the nose is otherwise reluctant. This may be due to the alcohol content (14.8%). The wine is full bodied enough to balance the ABV, and there's no burn, but you know it is there.
  
  The mid palate and finish are full bodied, with an excellent deep black cherry taste and good tannins. It paired great with spicy black bean chili. There’s also rich chocolate taste that coats the palate. If I had this blind, I would guess this was a Bordeaux blend from Washington.
  
  Day 2: the wine has softened overall. The nose is still muted. The tannins have grip but are smoother. I can still sense the alcohol. It’s not overpowering, but it is just kinda present throughout, adding a bit of extra weight.
  
  The wine pairs nicely with the peanuts and dark chocolate I’m nibbling on. The finish is lengthy, more focused and fruitier. If I had blind, I’d guess this was a domestic Rhone blend, as the finish has lost its Merlot-ness.
  
  Overall, this is an interesting wine, especially if you're a Zinophile. I’d really like to see how this would show at 14% ABV, but not sure if that is possible these days.

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