Starting 11th Year at Amici

This tasting commemorates the beginning of the 11th year of monthly tastings for this group. I have the honor of being a new addition. The first tasting ever for this group originated from a bet involving Zinfandels, and thus the reason for the yearly Zinfandel tasting.

• 2003 Roberto Anselmi Capitel Croce Bianco Veneto IGT 90 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Veneto IGT

  Surprisingly crisp wine with a hint of honeyed lemon aromas and a bit of a dusty finish. Really enjoyed this wine. 89-92

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• 2001 Martinelli Chardonnay Lambing Barn Ridge Three Sisters Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  This wine hits you right in the face with its oak, butter and caramel. Almost unreal and too much. Set the stage for the many Zinfandels that followed. On certain days, I would love this wine, and on other days, I really would not like it, based on what I was having with it. 86-94

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• 1997 Rabbit Ridge Zinfandel Grand Reserve 80 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  A bit amber on the edges and seemed past its prime, yet remained fairly tannic. Interesting in that I liked the aromas of this wine, but the flavors detracted from the experience. 80-82

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• 1997 Howell Mountain Vineyards Zinfandel Beatty Ranch 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain

  Still fairly vibrant wine with a nice deep red color. Interesting very smooth mouthfeel that I found very nice--seemed to hide the 15.5% alcohol level. 88-91

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• 2000 Mauritson Wines Zinfandel Grower's Reserve 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

  With many Zinfandels, I find the oak aromas masked by other characteristics. This wine had a nice oak aroma still present, mixed with some raspberry and bit of pine cone. Texture was fairly smooth. Enjoyed this more than the vast majority of 2000 California Cabs. 257 cases made, 15.5% alcohol. 89-93

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• 2001 Rosenblum Cellars Zinfandel Lyons 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Very deep red color--awesome shade of deep red. Nice aromas of red fruit, primarily raspberry. Very enjoyable wine, even at 15.8% alcohol. 88-91

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• 2002 A. Rafanelli Zinfandel 89 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley

  Very solid California Zinfandel at 14.6% alcohol. Classic Zinfandel aromas with a fairly smooth finish. 88-90

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• 2004 Jeff Cohn Cellars Zinfandel Arrowhead Mountain 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley

  Big wine, with strong red fruit aromas that were overshadowed by a nice vanilla scent. Smooth finish--overall this wine stood out a bit. 89-92

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• 2004 Hartford / Hartford Court Zinfandel Highwire Vineyard 88 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Very fruit forward, big wine that was unfined and unfiltered. Did not seem as smooth in texture as many other wines tasted tonight. 496 cases made. 86-89

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• 1999 Martinelli Zinfandel Jackass Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Very big wine, that at this point of its life is settling down--flavors seemed more refined that other Zinfandels tasted, but the fruit aromas were still very present. The 15.9% alcohol seemed more masked in this wine than other high alcohol wines of the night. My WOTN. 90-93

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• 2004 Turley Zinfandel Old Vines 90 Points

  USA, California

  Classic Turley Zinfandel, but not extremely overpowering. 88-92

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• 2004 Martinelli Zinfandel Vigneto di Evo 88 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  I have had the 2002 vintage of this wine, and this one is much, much better. Still seems very sweet, with a hint of caramel, but it has a lightness (for a Zinfandel--14.9% alcohol) that was pleasing. 87-90

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• 2002 Martinelli Zinfandel Giuseppe & Luisa 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Have had this wine numerous times, and it seems to be aging nicely and does not hit you in the face as hard anymore (not as hard, but still pretty hard--more of a backhand slap as opposed to a left cross). 88-92

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