Community Tasting Notes 12

• HitAnyKey wrote: 89 points

  March 20, 2012 - A nice balance of dark fruit, black pepper, spices, clove, and herbal tones. The tannins have mellowed out, and it is currently better on the second night. First night seemed to have a more prominent green pepper or something similar, which is not something high on my list. Tonight it worked perfectly with my kielbasa/orange&yellow pepper/onion/garlic meal over noodles. I just love having the complex Zins & Syrahs with this meal, and this wine being a combination of both was wonderful.

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• HitAnyKey wrote: 88 points

  November 28, 2009 - Nose of spice, pepper, blackberry, smokey, & floral. Tart, smooth-strong tannins showing bold plum & blackberry on forefront. Finish of clove, earthy herbal, dark fruit showing. This the initial after only a few minutes in decanter. Might still show better later.

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• FieldingYost wrote: 87 points

  August 2, 2009 - Spicy nose, with blackberry and floral notes. Soft and elegant, with blueberry and blackberry notes. Comes up a bit shy on the finish, but is juicy, soft, and smooth.

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• nibiru wrote: 89 points

  April 22, 2009 - Zinfandel (48%), Petite Sirah (20%), Tempranillo (14%), Barbera (12%), and Primitivo (6%). 13.5% alcohol. This is best after open a day and sealed over night. Color deep ruby almost to the very edge of the glass before it goes to clear. A very pleasant nose of dark fruits dominated by plum and blueberry that is not overpowering. The pH is not published, but given the low alcohol, I expect this falls below 3.6 pH making it more of an old-world style wine. Personally, I find the restrained fruit, lack of heat, and gentle bite of the acid a refreshing change from the armies of Parker-style wines getting the high marks these days. There's no question that, with the plethora of varietals that make this blend, there's a lot going on, and yet the wine nevertheless seems to have a singular, pleasing character. There's spice on the mid-palate and assertive tannins in the lingering finish. Nothing flabby about this wine. I personally find it great to sip, but I think I'll definitely plan for food with my remaining stock. I believe I paid $15 for this, which would make it among the top wines at that price point I've ever purchased. I think this will be great at least through 2012.

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• aces219 wrote:

  April 15, 2009 - I am not feeling this wine at all. I don't think it is flawed, I just don't care for it very much. No mid-palate at all, much less fruit than I would expect for a blend like this. Disappointing.

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Wine Definition

• Vintage 2005
• Type Red
• Producer Etude
• Varietal Zinfandel Blend
• Designation Fortitude
• Vineyard Shake Ridge
• Country USA
• Region California
• SubRegion Sierra Foothills
• Appellation Amador County

Community Holdings

• Pending Delivery 1 (1%)
• In Cellars 77 (49%)
• Consumed 79 (50%)

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