January 31, 2021 - The cork puled through and it has been on its side pretty much ever since I got it in 2014! That indicates Ravenswood needs to improve their corks.
Medium body with a lot of blueberry and boysenberry flavors, a little bit of smoke and a nice light spice end tannin. Bottle was at or near its peak. Yum!
July 17, 2019 - Last of two bottles. First bottle drunk in 2016 and had too much heat. This bottle was a much better experience. Very little zin heat. Lots of dark tannic dark chocolate. I have been drinking a lot of Italian wines lately and this was a nice change. The finish was too short as I was left with wanting more. Decanted for 2+ hours.
November 17, 2017 - No formal notes. 1/2 hour decant, a little sediment. This has come together. Fine, elegant, great balance and flavor. Worth the wait
September 18, 2016 - Similar experience as GALEWSKJ. Typical Zin heat, but nothing much but smooth light fruit that is a little boring. I wanted more...(2 hour decant)
September 14, 2016 - Pop and pour. Some significant alcohol blew off in the first 30 minutes. After that, extremely smooth to the extent that it's boring. No flaws and nothing of interest. Maybe on the decline? My textbook 88 - pleasant to drink, nothing wrong with it, and nothing to get excited about.
July 6, 2016 - Nice wine, with lots of dark fruits drinking well right now after getting past the typical initial "hotness" of Zindandel.
June 14, 2016 - Third bottle, 2 year inverval. Fully mature, starting to lose its tannic structure, adding a bit of jam on the finish. Still has balance, and a core of dark berry fruit that never overreaches. The dusty tannins are gone, and the freshness is on decline, but this is still a beautiful Zin with personality and grace.
May 31, 2016 - Big bold and briary with big tannin. No meek drinkers allowed! The juicy fruit fills the mouth and then the spice and prickly feeling hit and just slides into a full-mouth very dry tannin
July 31, 2014 - Good zin that offers nice, ripe dark fruit without being too jammy or sweet. There's some complexity here, as well, and I can see this evolving nicely with a year or two in the cellar. Still, it's showing well now, as well.
June 16, 2014 - Very good. Great example of a Sonoma zin, full of spicy red fruit. Perfect pair with a cheeseburger.