November 15, 2013 - Deep color. Notes of plum, raspberry, boysenberry and vanillla. On the full side of medium-bodied with raspberry, dark fruit, spice and pepper flavors. Tannins are mostly resolved and this made for a nice companion to barbequed pork ribs.
January 27, 2013 - Still very good
February 11, 2012 - Took to a party. Still pretty terrific, but it seems to be slightly past its peak. Spicy dark fruit, with good complexity and viscosity. Very polished for a zin.
November 13, 2011 - Opened Saturday nite at a dinner party. However, after four of us went thru a 16.5% Turley and a 16%+ Martinelli, we were in no mood to tackle another Zin (actually, we were in no mood to do anything but nod off). I corked it, put it in the fridge, and reopened the following night, at which time it didn't seem as flat out wonderful as another bottle I'd had six months ago. Nevertheless, it was still pretty tasty. A lot of blackberries, spices, bramble, and pepper. Good body and very good finish. Still a winner and still a very good bargain.
May 14, 2011 - Even better than previous bottle five months ago. Very dark, with blackberries and spices on both the nose and palate. Has become even more spicy, brambly, and complex. Fairly viscous. Clearly better than the 04 Carlisle (Carlisle) and 05 Seghesio (Rockpile) that it was served alongside of.
December 31, 2010 - drinking beautifully. will last maybe 1-2 years, but surely at its peak now.
December 17, 2010 - First one I've tasted since 2007. Opened immediately before drinking. Very dark color, blackberries on the nose. Blackberries, spices, and a little pepper (or bramble) on the palate. Medium weight and a decent finish. Obviously a Zin, but the heat wasn't noticeable and there were no raisins or port-like characteristics. Terrific balance of fruit, tannins, alcohol, etc., with no rough edges sticking out.
December 2, 2008 - Dark violet color, rich body, powerful blackberry nose; rich, silky mouthfeel and compelling blackberry cobbler flavor with a nice black pepper kick; great Zin with distinctive chacracter
July 5, 2008 - Enjoyed very much, a real nice Zin, plenty of fruit, and pepper, nice finish
June 13, 2008 - Nice, reminiscent of the Cline in the dark SunMaid raisin tone, but this was instead more like port that has oxidized a bit so that it turns reminiscent of dairy tones, or burnt browned butter… still, nice, fleeting coffee & toffee, some balance here, almost entirely satisfying, not bad for $25. Nice with pepper steak. Occam’s razor: we were sad to see the last drop fall.