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Wine Type
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Vintage
Name
Variety
Locale
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Date
Posted
Score
Helpful
Comments
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Red
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2006 Bradford Mountain Zinfandel
Dry Creek Valley
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Great example of a straight-forward medium bodied Zin.
On the nose - tons of red fruit, generous spice, a little earth.
On tongue - lots of ripe fruit, big time cherry and some decent spice in the middle, with a lingering finish. Decent QPR when buying in the mid teens.
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Red
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2004 Twomey Merlot Napa Valley
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Earthy with mild fruits on the nose. Mouthfeel has some residual tannins but the fruit is nice. I'm not a big Merlot fan but would have this again if presented with other merlots. Not like the Yokum Bridge Merlot, which I think was the last I had, this is more muted. Not as complex as I know Merlot can be, but its a fine accompaniment for lighter meals. Tried alone only.
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Red
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2005 Scholium Project Iseult Hudson Vineyard
Napa Valley
Syrah more
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Trying this over a three night period. First night I triple decanted using an airator for a 12 hour period. Nose and mouth the same: overwhelming olives. Can't rate that because I'm not a huge olive fan and this is just overwhelming. A hint of olive is one thing, but this is pretty much like opening a jar of olives with some tar thrown in for good measure. The alcohol is very present, or at least seems that way at first. Will update progress over the next few days, but at the very least this needs to wait another 3 years.
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Red
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1986 Foppiano Petite Sirah
Russian River Valley
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Super Tannic, rather dry, and devoid of all fruit. But somewhat surprisingly not spoiled. Chances are you've already drank this if you've got it - but if not - it's definitely pass time.
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Red
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2005 The Other Guys Zinfandel Plungerhead Lodi
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One last time... it's still drinking pretty darn well. Last two bottles are both uncorked and checking them out over the next few days. (Yeah I know, have to update the online cellar)
Still a great QPR if you have them. The original bright red cherry has faded a bit, and it's definitely lost some body... but its still got some solid body left. Another round of Spring Cellar Cleaning 2010.
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Red
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2002 Chateau St. Jean Cabernet Sauvignon California
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On the nose - wet cement gives away to subtle dark fruits, burnt toffee, and tobacco.
Solid mouthfeel, thought definitely past prime. It's still got some red fruit there, and I'd call it a medium body at best. Many of the nuances are pretty soft, yet I'm still getting a tartness... and notes more akin to a Syrah.
For a wine in this price range I'd say it's held up amazingly well. This is the fourth bottle I've tried over the last 2 months (it's spring cellar cleaning).
This time tried alone, with veggie fried rice, and an assortment of mild cheddar. Best served around 70 degrees.... needs a bit of a chill.
If you've got'em, drink'em.
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Red
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2006 Robert Biale Petite Sirah Thomann Station
Napa Valley
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Too early for a real score on this, needs at least 2 more years before a full review.
Tried alone and with foods over 3 nights - bottle capped in cellar. Early on there seems to be a predominance of cola and coffee on the nose, which gives away to a lot of buried dark fruit by the second day. Almost syrupy in the mouth - this bad boy needs a lot more time.
Fav pairing was with Wild Boar burritos.
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Red
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2002 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District
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Best consumed within the first 90 minutes, or after 1 day open in the cellar. Did not hold up for me after that.
Locks of dark cherry, a some plum and oak. Still quite nice.
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Red
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2006 Neyers Zinfandel Tofanelli Vineyard
Napa Valley
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Nose - lots of fruit, mild heat early, and some white pepper.
Tongue - Lots and lots of fruit, a bit of briar, and little vanilla, and a hint of herb(?).
Reminds me of a less bold, less integrated Talty Felice Conolly. That's not bad, but at this price I would expect more.
Tried alone and with cheese bread.
Overall Rating reflects a $30 price tag, which seem $10 too much considering everything else out there.
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Red
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2007 Valley of the Moon Zinfandel
Sonoma County
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On the nose: Some heat at first opening, but quickly dissipates. Mocha, Caramel, dusty currant pie.
On the tongue: Light to medium body, lots of raspberry, blue berry, slightly sweet, but not overly so.
Tried alone and with Mozza Squash Blossom Pizza and excellent Burrata.
This is on the lighter side of what I normally prefer, but the nose is quite expressive after 10 min of opening and the flavors are quintessential zin.
This would be another AP 2006 if it had a bolder mouthfeel. Regardless, it's an excellent QPR at $10-$11 and the best I've had in this price range in a long time.
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Red
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2007 Ancient Peaks Zinfandel
Paso Robles Santa Margarita Ranch
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As a huge fan of the AP 2006 (I rated it a 90 and would have gone considerably higher based on the QPR alone)I initially bought 3 cases and ultimately bought 4 more from various sources. Sadly it is nearly all gone... and I eagerly awaited the latest vintage.
At the end of August I purchased a case of the 07. Since that time I have tried it alone, with food, and with a cellared bottle open over a period of 3 days. I have surveyed my friends in a side-by-side with the 2006. I have also more recently tried it side by side with 2006, over a period of 3 days (same bottles). I did this twice.
Why was I so thorough with this one? Well, I hoped my initial instincts were wrong, so waited awhile to try it again. I then read the first 2 CT reviews, which were rather glowing, and I felt like I must have missed something. And yet...
My conclusion: This is, at best, a shadow of what the 2006 was. 2007 lacks the jammy fruit, the creamy finish, and the overall killer integration of the previous year.
Dark fruit, a bit one dimensional, poorly integrated tannins and a lackluster finish.
From an (overly simple) generalization, I would make these comparisons:
2006 AP similar to 2006 Rafanelli (whoa, and I LOVE Rafanelli)
2007 AP similar to 2006 Cline Ancient Vines
The QPR is okay, but I won't be buying more, even with free shipping and a 20% club discount.
Disappointed, but looking forward to trying the '08.
BTW, not sure of how skinowdrinklater was tasting this, but all of my side-by-side comparisons were the exact opposite of his....
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Red
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2007 MacLaren Syrah Unti Vineyards
Russian River Valley
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Holding final judgement on this for a few years.
The very first of the MacClaren Syrah Unti Vineyards. The final product has less to do in nose and taste with Unti and rather lies in the distinct influence of Michael Talty. Ultimately this is a Syrah made by Taltly, if such a thing existed. That's not bad thing, but there are characteristics here that differ this from a typical syrah and that's where the pre-mentioned influence seems to really come in.
On the nose - Boatloads of leather, considerable amount of lavender, black cherry, another herb?, with some mocha and dark and red berries.
On the tongue - Starts out almost as if there is a touch of zin in there - practically like some kind of proprietary blend, with a decent amount of red fruit right up front, especially raspberry. Integration is nice even at this point, and then tobacco and mocha.
I'm truly enjoying this one ad look forward to how it evolves over the next few years. A perfect Syrah for Zin-atics and those looking for a break from the same old style.
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Red
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2001 Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Estates
Columbia Valley
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First off - this is a great QPR but be forewarned - my experience was based on buying this wine when it first became available and then holding it in a properly maintained cellar. Your local retailer may not have gone to the same lengths for a $10 bottle.
On the nose - mocha, damp earth, some dusty oak.
On the tongue - tobacco, cranberry, fading red fruit. Tannins still there, amazingly.
This is shockingly good for its QPR and age. Is it past its prime? Most definitely, but still quite worthy of a nice burger or pasta and red sauce.
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Red
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2006 Storybook Mountain Vineyards Zinfandel Eastern Exposures
Napa Valley
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On the nose - definite oak and spice, especially sweet anise and dark berries.
On the tongue - spice, oak, black berries, touch of tar.
Good structure and balance, wish there was a bit more sweet fruit for the long haul.
Will wait at least one year for this one, it's still too early. Has the potential to be a real keeper.
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Red
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2005 Rosenblum Cellars Zinfandel Reserve St. Peter's Church Vineyard
Sonoma County
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Tried over 3 nights - Becomes more syrah-like over time.
Among the most complex (and best) of the Rosenblums.
On the nose there is burnt caramel, blackberry, coffee, and bit of oak.
On the tongue - more black berry, cherry, blue berries, oak. Dry. And still a little hot. This is not a typical Big Berry Zin - it's rich, but more medium than full (or rather big-bodied). Definitely can hang out for another 2-3 years, maybe a bit more.
Tried alone and with veggie pizza.
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White - Sweet/Dessert
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2005 Château Doisy-Daëne
Barsac
Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend more
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Hints of pear and cooked rice on the nose. Sweeter than I expected, but seemed to mellow a bit on the second night.
On the tongue there is honey, apricot, and a little apple on the backend.
Very interested in how this will develop. Will try again in 2011.
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Red
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2004 Rued Zinfandel
Dry Creek Valley
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Way dusty, but opens to more fruit over time.
Good grief - it's been a long time since my last post... I apologize, new family member is taking mucho time.
Reminds me very much of Christopher Creek on both the nose and general mouthfeel.
More hot on the finish than I would expect for a 2004. Unusually so.
I think I'm expecting more fruit to balance out the pepper, but it's not quite there.
Overall I like it - even more so after it opens up - but I will need to revise on day 2 for a more accurate reading
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Red
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2007 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Sonoma County
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Based on QPR alone this would have rated even higher.
Deserves a more detailed rating at a later time, but this among the best of the straight Sonoma Zins the Ted has done.
Still hot, but not surprising considering how young it is.
Have been purchasing by the case for around $16/bottle. Only second to Ancient Peaks as the best deal in Zin out there.
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Red
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2005 Ridge Zinfandel Nervo
Sonoma County
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This is a solid, if unexceptional effort from Ridge. I'm a big fan of some of their smaller productions, but the QPR on this is not very good.
The wine seems very one dimensional, lacking the depth and complexity of offerings like their Buchignani.
Overall I'd say I'm a bit disappointed and definitely will not be buying.
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Red
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2005 Etude Fortitude Shake Ridge
Amador County
Zinfandel Blend, Zinfandel more
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On the nose - The fruit is sharp, almost tangy, like ripe fruit mixed with yogurt - seems a bit too acidic.
On the palate - The tannins are potent, with plum and currant as the dominants. The finish is medium length at best, but the overall experience is dampened by the acidity which seems out of balance. I'm left with a tartness that isn't what I expected nor desired.
This wine seems to have an identity crisis. The label reads nearly half the blend is Zin, and another 20% is petite, but the nose and taste are darker than that - much more Syrah-like. Sad to say this is disappointing to me.
Tried alone only. I will try again over then next 2 days and update as necessary.
Tried again tonight after a loosely corked bottle in the cellar (56F) over night. Tannins seem over the top still. Possibly it jut needs more time, but I still think its out of balance. Tried with no food.
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Red
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2006 Trader Moon Zinfandel Old Moon [Old Vine]
California
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Given to me as a gift from a friend, not for the wine itself but rather, apparently, for the label.
Eh, you get what you (don't) pay for.
Anywho, pretty blah - can't speak to a QPR in this price range, but for double the price (11-12) you can get some really nice wines.
Everything here is pretty muted, I get a little spice, a tin amount of berry, and that's it.
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Red
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2004 Christopher Creek Zinfandel Russian River Valley
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On the nose - Much currant and pepper, a touch of oak.
On the palate - Dark, syrah-like plum and dark fruit. A solid finish with a bit of berry and oak.
This is certainly reminiscent of the CC Petite Syrah, which is still one of my fav Petites out there.
A great zin if you like them darker, and a bit less fruit forward.
Definitely more fruit is showing after 15-20m, and as it warms to room temp.
Tried alone and with Potato Leek soup.
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Red
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2005 Condado de Haza Ribera del Duero Crianza
Tempranillo more
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Friends brought over and tried it with them. No score - this should have been decanted for a little while first.
Definite complexity here, medium - big body hints of oak over dark berries, maybe a bit of smoke. Big, lengthy finish.
Drier than I prefer, but this is a keeper, among the best Spanish wines I've tasted recently.
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Red
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2006 Gamba Old Vine Zinfandel Gamba Estate Vineyard
Russian River Valley
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On the nose: Whoa, stunning fruit, smoke, with light floral overtones. Overall a classic big zin. In the mouth - Bold and smokey, but has considerable depth. High alcohol is buried, which is impressive. There is blackberry, a sweet fruit I can't place, dark spice and smoked mesquite.
I'd like to revisit this in a another couple of years, but right now it's completely worth a spin. Bold but astute, with complexity not often found in many of today's zins.
Tried over two hours - alone, with Top Sirloin, mushrooms with fingerling potatoes, and with Smart Puffs (give it a whirl).
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Red
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2006 Gamba Old Vine Zinfandel Moratto Vineyard
Russian River Valley
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On the nose dark cherry, intense chocolate, anise, and smoke.
The taste indicates more alcohol, along with somewhat riper fruit, but still I'm overwhelmed by smoke.
It's too early to drink this, though it is enjoyable now if you have the right food combo. I would call 2010 as a start.
No rating for now, it would not be accurate, but I wouldn't turn down another dance with this one.
Tried alone and with morel mushroom tortellini with pesto.
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