July 25, 2015 - It took 5 years, but this Zin finally reached its potential. I wish I had showed more patience with these.
April 18, 2015 - Noticed this tucked away and pulled it. Popped and poured and well rewarded. Not overly complex but drinks way above it weight class.
November 6, 2014 - Amazing difference from bottle one year ago. Subdued fruit (vs none), pleasing autumn spices, and nice zin finish
August 21, 2014 - On this bottle, back to a plum flavor and nose. Not as much of a reduction flavor as in the past, but it's still there. Enjoyable, but the 2008 bottles had a lot more variation than the 2006, 2007 versions.
May 23, 2014 - This bottle, my last, was so much better than the previous. The fruit may have been a bit subdued at first, but it was still quite good and didn't take long for it to show. Dark and spicy. Glad this vintage ended on a high note.
May 20, 2014 - My last bottle. Opened at a party, where a confirmed beer drinker declared that at last he'd found an affordable wine to his liking. Reminds me why I've always loved zins. Not port-like, raisiny, or hot. Just racy, spicy and, well, "zinny". Still in good shape, but should probably be consumed within the next year or so. I love Carlisle, Ridge, Bedrock, etc., but for the money, this can't be beat.
March 1, 2014 - Seghesio (Sonoma) used to be my go-to budget-priced Zin, but not anymore. This stuff is a steal! Bright fruit (but not a fruitbomb), nice heft (but not too much), no raisins, moderate heat, and almost-perfect balance. Everything I want in a Zin, not over-the-top, and a helluva value.
December 25, 2013 - Continues to come around with bottle age. Over the last couple of years had turned into a plum reduction kind of mess. With a few more years, it has come back around to a pepper/plum palate but with much more balance and restraint.
August 31, 2013 - My 5th of six bottles consumed over the last three years. "Biker" indeed: this zin tonight was like a Harley in need of a timing adjustment. Lots of muscle, but missing tone. Too big and tannic, without any subtlety. The Bordeaux we poured ahead of it, a 2003, was a study in contrasts -- much more balanced and complex. Will hold my last bottle of Four Vines Biker for a couple more years.
August 17, 2013 - Because of recent tasting notes indicating these are over-the-hill, I was a little apprehensive. I shouldn't have been - it was just fine. Extremely dark, with a fruity, smoky nose. Dark fruits and a little bramble. Rich texture and a good finish. Since this was my first one, I don't know how it tasted six or twelve months ago, but I'd guess it's at its peak right now.