November 17, 2017 - Took a chance on this when I saw it in a liquor store cooler. 12yrs old & past prime, even when kept well in cooler. Unless you really prefer mature zins, these need to be drank within 7 or 8 yrs max imho. Tart cherry and slight drying still on tounge from acidity and vinegar flavors left. No young Rosenblum fruit left. Oh well, I tried.
February 8, 2013 - Moderately clear due to some sediment. Ruby, with medium + intensity, turning to garnet on the rim. Thick, dark, viscous legs.
The nose is clean, with medium + intensity, and complex +. Black cherry, red currant, sweet spice, with a nice overlay of oak (vanilla and caramel). Getting a lot more dried fruit, such as raisins, figs and prunes, than in my last tasting notes. The nose is developed and fine in quality. The palate is dry and smooth -. The alcohol is warm at 14.8%. The acidity, tannins, and minerality are medium +. The flavors are primarily black cherry, black currant, liquorice and chocolate. The wine is full bodied to robust. The palate is much more balanced than a couple of years ago. The flavors are intense + and the length is persistent. The palate is fine. This wine is ready + or mature -. I don't think it is going to improve with further ageing, although it is likely to remain in a good place for a couple more years. Overall, it is only moderately harmonious + because it is so big, luscious and brash, but that is also its appeal. Would gladly buy again.
September 12, 2012 - Rich and robust, demanding attention on the palate. Finish is long and strong. U can almost taste the alcohol. A punch in the face that is not for everyone.
November 23, 2011 - Ruby, with medium plus intensity, turning to garnet on the rim. Throwing off some sediment, but still showing some thick, dark, viscous legs. The nose is clean, with medium plus intensity. The primary aromas are black fruit (black cherry) and herbal (menthol) with a nice overlay of oak (vanilla). The nose is developing. The palate is dry. The acidity, tannins, body and flavor intensity are medium plus, but the alcohol is still pronounced (14.8%). The flavors are primarily black cherry, black currant, liquorice and chocolate. Overall, this is a very good, rich, extracted wine. It is juicy and fruit-driven but still hot with alcohol after all these years! Thus, it benefits from being served on the cooler side. It has a mouth-coating viscosity with ripe tannins, and the finish is medium plus in length. It is drinkeable now, but has potential for improving with another couple of years as the alcohol and tannins hopefully become more integrated. It has enough acidity and complexity to go the distance.
January 14, 2011 - Got a very strong chocolate thing going this time. Still a bit of an alch juice bomb. Some nice Zin juicy structure, the tannins and weight came back strong.
September 12, 2010 - Last bottle was too oaky. This time around much more integrated. Nice rich weighty Zin. Not jammy to a fault, alcho there but sweet and pir fruit, even a hint of Rhubarb, yummy stuff, lingers for a long time. Drinking great with min decant and long life ahead. Balanced.
July 4, 2010 - Big fat wine, got Alch on the nose & palate. Serious charred oak, too much for me, but the fruit and structure says time may reward you with integration.
December 1, 2009 - Tried over 3 nights - Becomes more syrah-like over time.
Among the most complex (and best) of the Rosenblums.
On the nose there is burnt caramel, blackberry, coffee, and bit of oak.
On the tongue - more black berry, cherry, blue berries, oak. Dry. And still a little hot. This is not a typical Big Berry Zin - it's rich, but more medium than full (or rather big-bodied). Definitely can hang out for another 2-3 years, maybe a bit more.
Tried alone and with veggie pizza.
November 26, 2009 - Medium body and quite harsh with high acid and tannin for a Zin. Big dried stonefruit flavors siding with prunes and dates. Not enjoyable at all. Quite a disappointment.
March 14, 2009 - Tasted single blind. This was a stellar zin and was showing very well. Great and complex nose including oak, licorice and cinnamon. Smooth taste with subtle dark fruit flavor, just right on the oak flavor. In balance.