Community Tasting Notes 7

• Benj wrote: 87 points

  January 9, 2021 - I'm going to have to disagree with most of the other notes on here, including some people with whom I have fairly similar tastes. First, the sensory notes. Color: ruby with just the faintest hint of garnet at the edge; on the lighter side for a Zinfandel. Nose: this does smell like Zinfandel but it is on the very low-ripeness end of the spectrum - quite green, fresh rather than confected berries, very little of what I would consider the "Zin flavor" that is common in ripe (but not raisined) Zinfandel grapes, becomes magnified during fermentation, and stays in the wine many years into bottle aging. In some ways this smells more like a big Middle Reach Russian River Pinot Noir with its redcurrant skin, grape skin, high tone, and herbaceousness. Palate: this has medium tannin, relatively light body, and is bracingly acidic, even for a Zinfandel. Zinfandel is a tricky grape and ripens unevenly - without very careful treatment in the vineyard, you can get both green grapes and raisins in the same cluster, leading to overripe, horribly acidic wines. I want to be very clear that this is *not* what is happening here - there is no overripe character at all, and the flavor-texture (including acid) profile is consistent with good vineyard management and relatively even ripening, but also a choice to pick early/at low potential alcohol. In general, I like that kind of thinking, but in my opinion the flavor development is not quite there in this wine. It is quite green and bitter, especially on the finish. Combined with searing acidity and relatively inexpressive aromatics and light body, this is tangy as all get-out. Please, please, do not drink this wine without also eating something for all this acid to cut through. There is a defensible position to take on this wine, which is that it is a nice, savory food wine that shouldn't be consumed on its own. I think that's true. But I also think that the better food wines can handle a few sips without taking a bite of something to clear out their acidity or bitterness. This wine cannot. And for the price, I'd hope for something more complete. Good, but not great. 12.8%, $39.

  2 people found this helpful Comments (2)

• bordeauxman777 Likes this wine: 88 points

  August 27, 2020 - Seems watered down and lacking concentration. Drinks more like a German Pinot Noir than zinfandel. Nice level of elegance tho, nicely crafted wine. It was worth trying, but I have some questions....

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• Rich S Likes this wine: 91 points

  November 28, 2019 - Popped and poured. Medium bright ruby color. Nose of juicy red raspberry, some floral notes and almost slightly herbal. Very different than most zins. Juicy and tart red berry fruits on the palate with a bit more of the floral and herbal streak coming through. Lots of acid in this for a zin, almost slightly sharp, but balanced with some nice, juicy fruit. Fun wine and very good mix with Thanksgiving dinner.

  1 person found this helpful Comment

• DeuceMcgee Likes this wine: 91 points

  September 21, 2019 - Delicious!

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• Rusty1488 Likes this wine: 92 points

  February 8, 2019 - Spice, earth, tea, fruit notes on the nose. Palate is in great balance. Good acid evening out the smooth tannins. Fruit, earth and some eucalyptus tea notes. Slightly jammy fruit in the best way possible with that good acidity keeping it in check. Very enjoyable.

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Wine Definition

• Vintage 2016
• Type Red
• Producer Matthiasson
• Varietal Zinfandel
• Designation n/a
• Vineyard Limerick Lane
• Country USA
• Region California
• SubRegion Sonoma County
• Appellation Russian River Valley

Community Holdings

• Pending Delivery 0 (0%)
• In Cellars 75 (37%)
• Consumed 126 (63%)

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