Community Tasting Note

tomherer Likes this wine:

Tuesday, March 27, 2018 - Used to be that a vintage of Carol Shelton would be hit-or-miss, with a few QPR standouts and the rest coming in at various levels of drinkable. She's killing it with the last few vintages though, and it's more than just the great raw material CA has given her to work with lately. The current lineup doesn't haven't a single weak spot (that I can find, anyway), and includes several wines that compete with far more expensive/respected ones. This wine is a good example of that (outdoes the Prisoner for half the price, and could even hold its own with entry-level Bedrocks or Carlisles), as is the 2016 Coquille Blanc, which is by far the best domestic white Rhone blend under $40 that I've had in the past few years.

Initial impressions are classic zin -- crackly red fruit, licorice, briar, cinnamon powder, mocha. But there's another, lighter, dimension with purple flowers, orange zest, and cranberry. Perhaps from the viognier? Regardless, a terrific blend that doesn't quit. 14.5% abv which is reasonable for the style. $30 SRP, but paid about $23. Should hold its form for another five to eight year. A gem.

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