January 7, 2017 - Popped and slow-ox for 1.5hrs. Aromas of red fruit and earth in the glass. Balanced flavors of black berry, cherry, and raspberry fruits with dusty tannin backbone that seems to be fading. Everything seems to work with each other in the wine, nicely balanced- but starting on the backside of the slope. Not bad for a 13 year old bottle of zinfandel... A real pleasant suprise.
December 2, 2015 - What a great wine. Doesn't seem like you can ever go wrong with Howell Mountain grapes. We drank this wine over 2 days, very dark fruit, has the signature pepper you come to expect, great acidity and the finish last for 20+ seconds. These wines can be aged for at least a decade and this wine is proof.
February 20, 2015 - Peppery nose. Fruit, pepper, decent balancing acid and tannins remain. A bit ripe. Bitter finish at PnP that goes away, leaving black fruit and sweet milk chocolate. Reminds me a bit of big Parker Aussie Shiraz, which I'll admit is enjoyable sometimes.
January 1, 2013 - NYD Open House. Wasn't sure how this would turn out when first opened. Slight oxidation, and super tight. Left bottle open for couple of hours and returned to find it had opened up nicely. Each bottle from '03 has been completely different- which doesn't instill confidence. Still- nice leather and blackberry jam notes, tannins still there but smoothed out- much bottle than last fall's bottle.
October 28, 2012 - Cork broke about 5/6 of the way in the bottle, cork bottom was wet; I've stored it properly the whole time I've owned it. Not great start, but decanted and gave it a little airtime (30 mins). The nose was boysenberry, slight tar, wet leaves- nice- but a little hot on the palate, even with this bottle age. 15.4abv speaking up. Tannins were still present, so I might hold on the last bottle for 6mos. It did hold its own on Day Two (refrigerated in decanter). I usually love LFV more than this...
August 22, 2012 - Still tons of fruit going. Lacking a little backbone. Amazing its aging this well.
May 3, 2011 - Wow, a mature, 8 year old zinfandel with integrated fruit and great balance. Shortish finish but really a delight that held up well to spicy pasta but also drank great solo afterwards. Delicious.
September 10, 2008 - The last of a 3-pack ordered some time ago.
Popped and poured, and followed over two nights. This bottle was slightly fresher and more lively than my previous bottle. Nice, bramble fruits on night one that were supported by notes of dusted white chocolate. The palate was rich without being overt or obtrusive. The fruits and flavors totally changed on night two, though, expressing what I could only describe as dark molasses and hints of blueberries. I enjoyed the wine both nights, and appreciated that it was two totally different experiences. Not sure this will improve with additional age, but it's not going anywhere either.
December 10, 2007 - A little hot but who cares when the fruit carries it's load. Love this wine!
July 22, 2007 - Still young, but what a youth! Vigorous and full yet supple in the roundness of its mouth-feel and mid-palate experience. Spicy with robust, mountain fruit. No lack of fruit components providing hints of black cherry, raspberry, black pepper, tobacco and an unusually refined acid structure that gives the wine a long finish.