5/31/2014 - jbengfort wrote:

Who would have believed? Lost in cellar. Just opened. No ullage, cork moist but very firm--used AhSo to open. Lemon/citrus, some vanilla. Clear, green-gold. NO aging effect!!! Taste bright, etched citrus. Smooth,balanced, lingering. MORE! Tannin 2+, Acid 3, glycerine 3, Fruit 3.
Delicious, could have finished the bottle myself.

3/25/2012 - jbengfort wrote:

last tasted 3/19/08: no ullage, cork long/soft. brick red, thick legs . smooth/long aftertaste. smells of cedar/pencils. delicious. 19/20 delicious. time to try again. tannin3 acid 3 glycerin 3 fruit 3--balanced. a very nice aged "bordeaux".

1/25/2012 - jbengfort wrote:

http://www.ojaivineyard.com/Press%20clippings/Tanzer%20Nov%2011.html

12/27/2011 - jbengfort wrote:

drank with prime rib 12/25/2011. still deep purple, a touch brown. cork good no ullage. fragrant--some cinnamon, ceder spice, held up through out evening and into next day. delicious. 95/100 and holding! This was 59% cab, 24% Zinfandel, and 17% Pinot Noir blend. just delicious--well balanced, smooth, hint of sweet vanilla.

10/29/2011 - jbengfort wrote:

second try on 10/26/2011. Apples galore, hint of lemon-- out of the glass and around. Don't drink too cold. Initial taste is delicious, crisp,apple-y, lingering, then a touch of bitterness and a hint of heat greater that the 13.5% alcohol would suggest. But still very delicious all by itself. Holds up to food reasonably well, but probably a better cocktail wine.

10/29/2011 - jbengfort wrote:

HUGE wine. Well balanced. will age a long time--20 to 30 years. 18.5/20 rating for current state/longevity.

4/20/2011 - jbengfort wrote:

opened 4/19/2011. about 1/2 inch ullage. cork moist/soft--used ah so to pull. pouring, it was very light--brick red/ pinot- like. Not a lot of sediment. Smelled of dried rose petals, some cherry. tasted like pinot noir--would have guessed that blindfolded. It surely rewards the cellar time. 18/20. smooth, slowly forming, long thick legs. wonderful aftertaste/lingering. well balanced. simply delicious and did well with grilled sirloin. not a lot of sediment. Old Zins often become pinot noir like in their geriatricity in my experience.

2/17/2011 - jbengfort wrote:

Absolutely delicious and will hold 4 to 5 years or longer--stayed good on countertop for 4 days just recorked. May be better than the 2007! QPR 98!

2/16/2011 - jbengfort wrote:

Opened this two nights ago--it was medium purple, had clear edges, minimal browning. Thick swirl--14% alcohol. Tannin 3, acid 3 fruit 3, glycerin 3. well balanced, but seemed tight despite some oxygenation. Faint hint of oranges, dried violets. Seemed better as the meal progressed. Kept wanting to drink a bit more. two of us drank about 2/3 the bottle. Corked it, placed it on the kitchen cabinet and went back to it this evening. What a nice surprise--opened up lots of orange, walnuts. Very smooth, initially suggestion of sweetness though very dry. Nice lingering aftertaste. This one has taken its time. The cork was removed with an ah so but was soft tho sound. 18.5/20 Got this in 1980 as a sale wine--list 18.99. It was very hard, tannic, and closed in. Probably why is was on sale as an 11 year old wine.

1/21/2011 - jbengfort wrote:

deep burgundy--no bricks here. thick velvety swirl. pungent rhubarb on the nose. tannen 3+ but VERY smooth, acidity 3, fruit/glycerin 3+ hint of sweet but it is dry= fruit to me. Opens over time. drank over 4 days--no real diminution. great bargain. Probably will drink well for a decade. Reminds me of a fine Pommard. Oh, I didn't appreciate the alcohol--14.5%! This wine is better balanced than one initially thinks.

1/13/2011 - jbengfort wrote:

cork long, soft. no ullage. purple still, but garnet in the light, and clear at edge and throughout. Not much if any sediment. fragrance closed in at first, then opening to diried violet smell with a hint of orange
T: 3-, A: 3, G: 3. F: 3. Smooth at first pour, then becomes more integrated and smoother. Nice lingering aftertaste. Had with spaghetti and meat sauce. It has lasted these 34 years though it has seen better days in its youth. I will taste it again tomorrow. 17.5/20