May 6, 2016 - This wine simply killed it. Great fruit and balance. No sense of beyond peak at all. Wish I had more.
December 27, 2015 - Still brilliant, though most likely at peak. Through Vinturi. Outstanding!
August 2, 2015 - At fourteen years, this is past it's prime drinking window, but still enjoyable. Dark ruby colored, medium full bodied, black berry and raspberry fruits give way to a layer of vanilla accented by earthy spice, oak, and hints of mocha with a firm but approachable tannin acid finish.
http://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2015/08/zinfandel-for-barbecue-and-more.html
May 26, 2006 - WIML85,NOWA,NOWS
Tasted May 26, 2006 at a retail tasting. Opened and served about an hour later in a Riedel Vinum Cabernet Sauvignon glass. Light garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Slightly bretty nose with some dominating notes of kirsch and a slightly offputting aroma I can only describe as fertilizer. Flavors of raspberry, Bing cherry and rhubarb. Integrated tannins with fresh acidity on a medium finish are encouraging but while tasting I kept asking myself “this is Howell Mountain fruit?” Drink over the next year or so. Based on the $28.04 per bottle local retail price I’d say the value is unacceptable.
May 8, 2006 - wow, what does it say when my 5 year old Zin is better on the 3rd day? so much for cali zins not ageing. still dark, rich, jam with great spice level, although not as spicy as past bottles. has mellowed a bit and is more like silky cream in weight. eucalyptus, blackberry without the tartness. perfect with the BBQ, ahh summertime.
February 4, 2006 - Dark ruby. The aromas were full of rasberry, chocolate, spice, vanilla, and earth. The palate blended sweet berries, and spice into a very good drink. The finish was long with solid tannins and acid.
November 19, 2005 - yummy stuff, decanted for an hour before drinking. deep red with a nice full mouth feel. rasberries, a little black plum and lots of hot white pepper spiceness. cedar and smoky sweet oak overtones but they round out the wine nicley. good structure with noticable but well intregrated tannins. leaves a nice pepper tingle long after the wine is gone. not as fat as the 2002 with a dyno zin none the less.
June 4, 2004 - Napa-Noma Trip: Oxidation? Tea, asian spice box, earth, pepper, mountain fruit. Tight. Okay.