June 17, 2019 - Obviously past it’s time and would be hard pressed to find any bottles left in the world at this point. Raisins and prunes and should have opened it 5 years ago. Drink up!
December 15, 2015 - I think maybe past it's peak now. Raisins and plums are what I'm getting here.
June 10, 2013 - Still very primary fruit at 7 year of age (bramble, berries), plus baking spices and a slightly chocolaty streak. A beast of a wine, but not in a bad way. Needs some pretty serious food served alongside it, but quite enjoyable if you can stomach the more port-like, old-vine Zinfandels that easily weigh in over 15% abv.
February 12, 2013 - Bright fruit flavors of red raspberry and black raspberry. This is mostly sweet dark fruit, offering something akin to chocolate sweet. It offers an acidic brightness that keeps the wine from being flabby, and it makes me think the wine might benefit from a few more years of sleeping. There is less alcohol flavor kick than you’d expect for a 15.6% Alcohol wine. On day two, this wine delivered more currant and jam (cooked fruit) flavor. This is a good example of what the luscious and fully ripened fruit of the 2007 vintage in California can do for a wine.
Attributes of good wine making show through with subdued but present oak, soft tannins, aging in the barrel for 26 months. Much more about this wine to explore, and I expect it to reveal more in day two. This is really good Zinfandel and doesn’t taste or smell like so many mass production Zinfandel wines.
The winery advertises a “reserve” and ”regular” of the same vineyard/vintage wine. Interesting no-cork plastic stopper is standard for the regular. Interesting that the winery reports and labels the regular wine at 15.5% alcohol, and the Reserve wine at 15.6%. This appears to be the only label difference. The bottles I purchased were 15.6%, which has me wondering which this is, the regular or the reserve?
Regardless, it is a good example of California Zin, ready to drink, or lay to rest for a few more years. 86 points Wine Spectator.
January 20, 2013 - this is a really fine bottle
August 4, 2012 - Good. Dark purple. Blackberries and bramble on the nose and palate. Smooth, lingering finish. <Wow/Very Good/Good/Fair/Plonk>
April 3, 2012 - Good. Dark purple to the rim. Blackberry bramble and cola. Smooth and lingering finish. <Wow/Very Good/Good/Fair/Plonk>
March 10, 2012 - A nose of juicy berries, molasses, and chocolate. On the palate, jammy fruit with a nice hint of spice. Excellent. Definitely a re-buy at its price point.
November 5, 2011 - There is no way this is 100% zin..this is jammy, very good fruit upfront, but too sweet to be just zin. Not that I'm complaining---I like this wine. Would definitely recommend...just don't expect a typical cali old vine zin.
October 23, 2011 - Big concentrated almost shiraz like in texture and mouth feel. Jammy Fruit, Berry, Cassis, Port like in it's alcohol content and taste. Quite enjoyable.