April 6, 2023 - Drank over 4 or 5 days—
Although this is still a largely enjoyable wine, I can say it’s best days are behind it. The nose reminded me of candied lemon at its best, but for the most part it smelled of tropical fruits too ripe and beginning to rot.
What really holds the wine together at this stage is both the acidity and residual sugar. Both aspects simultaneously structure and dominate the palate. In other words, nuance is lost in the wine at this age (e.g., I sense ripe tropical fruits, but no one in particular).
January 9, 2023 - Deep caramel color, scents of pineapple cake, toasted nuts and burnt sugar, mature and integrated, not sweet but caramelized, the acid keeps all of the evolved flavors alive, just delicious, drink now
August 1, 2017 - Consumed over two days. On the first day massively impressive: concentrated nose of jaggery, currants, ripe greengages, tarte tatin, candied tangerine peel, stewed apricots, incense, star anise. Expressive on the palate, with baked and caramelised orchard fruits, candied kumquat, toffee apple, and burnt sugar. Enormous acidity keeps the sweetness in check and provides both depth and backbone. Very long, sweet, clean finish, resonating with an almost muscat note. Less vital on the second day - the aromas were muted, and the body had lost some stuffing, leading to a disappointing lightness in the midpalate. Still, a very appealing, well-made, and multilayered wine, approaching the end of its drinking window.
May 19, 2017 - Acidity remains despite obvious age. This is just insane now. I don't know how else to put it. Golden straw color. Just great.
September 29, 2015 - Seattle Wine Group - Sep 2015 Tasting - Theme: BDX - 2009 vs. Pre-2000 (Amaroso Room - Wine Storage Bellevue): Better than my last bottle. Nose has orange peel, citrus, honey and tangerine. Palate followed the nose. Slightly sweet, but came across dry due to the acid. Great mouth feel, length and depth. Again, finish started slightly sweet, but ended dry on a perfect, upswing note. I am a big fan of Zind.
July 26, 2015 - Absolutely delicious. There is a certain stink that takes about 30 seconds to clear when you first open this, but then a haunting aroma of poached yellow fruits with anise and five spice, jasmine, chestnut honey, varnish and a deep earthniness that I can only compare to pu'er tea. These aromas and flavours of the East continue on the unctuous palate, which while almost syrup like while going down your throat, is never cloying or unpleasant. The finish seems almost eternal. A match made in heaven with Sichuan or Hunan food.
March 10, 2015 - This is really special. Huge density of delicious flavors without being tiring or syrupy- peach and apricot for sure, lemon, some southeast asian spice, honey and a touch of butterscotch. Just the right amount of acidity. White floral, peachy nose. I love Alsace. 94-95
January 24, 2015 - Wonderful...honeyed notes, lengthy finish, all supportive of the whole package. What a pleasure.
December 9, 2014 - Seattle Wine Group - Dec 2014 Tasting - Theme: CA Cabs (Amaroso Room - Wine Storage Bellevue): Nose was filled with a sweetness and pinot gris characteristics. Loved the mouth feel; it was round, rich with enough acidity to keep it interesting; viscous but dry, not sweet. The mid-palate and finish were top notch. Definitely becoming a mature wine but no where past mature. Really enjoyed this bottle.
December 26, 2013 - Golden colour with an intense nose of lychees, melon and grape, perhaps just a whiff of botrytis? VT style density of fruit. It has the feel of a sweet wine but I think that is just ripe golden fruit rather than residual sugar. Huge, intense wine with great depth and a superb finish. Grows bigger in the glass. Superb wine.