2006 Howell Mountain Vineyards Zinfandel Bear & Lion Old Vine

Community Tasting Notes (10) Avg Score: 87.8 points

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  1/15/2013 - Grillgod wrote: 90 Points

  Dark cherry and loads of dark chocolate on the palate. Structure is a bit hot. No detectable Zin jammyness. Solid flavors and long finish for a Zin. Mouthfeel has seen better days but still a very good wine that has held up well.

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  11/22/2012 - srh Likes this wine:

  N: Alch dominant, SOME berries/cherries?
  
  P: BALANCED, lingers nicely, EXCELLENT acidity, a touch of heat (15.5% ABV declared), poss some spice? Definitely past its prime™, though the acidity worked well with Thanksgiving Roast Turkey. [Purchased several yrs ago @ TJ's for $9.99, so one certainly can't quibble 'bout the QPR!] ;)
  
  ™Admittedly, however, for a bottle stored far < ideally. :( Also, 1st tasted on 8/1/09.

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  3/3/2010 - caeleric Likes this wine: 85 Points

  straight forward cali zin. nothing stands out, but typical briar, pepper, and brambly red fruits. quaffable.

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  10/10/2009 - Ronzer wrote: 93 Points

  Jammy and tasty. Good with food, but could go by itself.

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  8/1/2009 - srh wrote: 94 Points

  N: Closed, some alcohol; Perhaps some berries with a touch of cedar? The aromas never did particularly develop.
  
  P: MF body, **SPICY**, NICELY balanced! VERY nice acidity, yet with a jamminess as it opened, which it did after not too long. NO particular sense of tannins other than to firm the finish.
  
  Very, VERY enjoyable bottle! Though I seldom use the 100-pt system, I DECIDED to in this case, *based upon* Trader Joe's $9.99 price. Though this is my first bottle of a 5 bottle "stash" [3 going to folks with a "Howell" connection], I'll PROBABLY try to pick up a couple of more. My best "guess": This will continue to "improve" [i.e., be more IMMEDIATELY yielding] thru '10, then "hold on" thru '13. Even were it NOT 2/3 the TJ's price for the same winery's '06 Black Sears bottling, I feel this is much, MUCH the "safer" purchase!

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