A Zinfandel from a vineyard with vines up to 105 years old. 14,5% alcohol.
Quite deep and somewhat evolved cherry-red color with a slightly tertiary maroon hue. The nose feels quite ripe, sweet-toned and a bit evolved with pretty sumptuous aromas of juicy dark forest fruits, some dried figs, a little bit of mocha and sweet toasty oak, light cherry tones, a raisiny hint of dried dark fruits and a woody touch of cedar. The wine feels rich, juicy and quite sweet-toned with flavors of wizened black cherries, some toasty notes of mocha oak and milk chocolate, light raisiny nuances, a hint of vanilla and a tertiary touch of sweet soy sauce. The overall feel is a bit on the soft side, due to the medium acidity and quite ripe, resolved and gentle tannins. The finish is long, sweet-toned and very gently grippy with a juicy, somewhat developed aftertaste of dried dark berries and toasty oak tones, some vanilla, a little bit of milk chocolate, light juicy notes of strawberries, a brambly hint of black raspberry and a tertiary touch of sweet soy sauce. The high alcohol makes the wine end on a slightly warm note.
A quite tasty and enjoyably evolved but ultimately a bit too soft and oaky Zinfandel. I was quite surprised by the style here, actually, since almost all these older Rosenblum Zinfandels I've tasted have been somewhat higher in acidity with noticeably less obvious oak influence. Unlike those wines, this particular wine felt a bit more banal in comparison, coming across as just a somewhat generic Zinfandel with nothing that would really catch my interest - although the wine is holding up pretty well for its age. All in all, this was an enjoyable little drop, but as far as these older Rosenblum Zins come, a bit of a disappointment, too. Yet still, I think this wine offers pretty good value for the money at just 28,50€.
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Still very drinkable. Stored perfectly sine release at 55 degrees. Well past its prime drinking window but still delicious. Big ripe red stone fruits on the palate, no heat. Violets, plums, raisins on the nose. Zero expectations that anything would be left, pleasantly surprised. Great fruit from this vineyard every year. One of my favorites. Kent and Jeff have left the building.
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big, meaty, earthy zin. Really a nice example of this varietal. Rosenblum makes some great zins and this is usually one of them. Super ripe and chewy, smoke, meat and spice. Very nice.
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Initially major cassis, not cooked but it reminded me very much of an 02 Marquis Philips Shiraz. Over the top fruit/alcohol etc. With a day's air in a glass carafe the heat dissipated and it became a very enjoyable wine.
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6/1/2023 - forceberry wrote: 89 Points
A Zinfandel from a vineyard with vines up to 105 years old. 14,5% alcohol.
Quite deep and somewhat evolved cherry-red color with a slightly tertiary maroon hue. The nose feels quite ripe, sweet-toned and a bit evolved with pretty sumptuous aromas of juicy dark forest fruits, some dried figs, a little bit of mocha and sweet toasty oak, light cherry tones, a raisiny hint of dried dark fruits and a woody touch of cedar. The wine feels rich, juicy and quite sweet-toned with flavors of wizened black cherries, some toasty notes of mocha oak and milk chocolate, light raisiny nuances, a hint of vanilla and a tertiary touch of sweet soy sauce. The overall feel is a bit on the soft side, due to the medium acidity and quite ripe, resolved and gentle tannins. The finish is long, sweet-toned and very gently grippy with a juicy, somewhat developed aftertaste of dried dark berries and toasty oak tones, some vanilla, a little bit of milk chocolate, light juicy notes of strawberries, a brambly hint of black raspberry and a tertiary touch of sweet soy sauce. The high alcohol makes the wine end on a slightly warm note.
A quite tasty and enjoyably evolved but ultimately a bit too soft and oaky Zinfandel. I was quite surprised by the style here, actually, since almost all these older Rosenblum Zinfandels I've tasted have been somewhat higher in acidity with noticeably less obvious oak influence. Unlike those wines, this particular wine felt a bit more banal in comparison, coming across as just a somewhat generic Zinfandel with nothing that would really catch my interest - although the wine is holding up pretty well for its age. All in all, this was an enjoyable little drop, but as far as these older Rosenblum Zins come, a bit of a disappointment, too. Yet still, I think this wine offers pretty good value for the money at just 28,50€.
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1/14/2020 - dmodguy Likes this wine: 87 Points
Not as dead as it’s supposed to be. Drink it nquick but don’t throw it out for sure.
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10/25/2015 - sjjacobs Likes this wine: 90 Points
Still vibrant. Excellant legs. Very smooth
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4/4/2015 - Birorganic Likes this wine: 91 Points
Still very drinkable. Stored perfectly sine release at 55 degrees. Well past its prime drinking window but still delicious. Big ripe red stone fruits on the palate, no heat. Violets, plums, raisins on the nose. Zero expectations that anything would be left, pleasantly surprised. Great fruit from this vineyard every year. One of my favorites. Kent and Jeff have left the building.
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11/27/2014 - sjjacobs wrote: 91 Points
Still very good
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10/16/2009 - jaalol wrote: 89 Points
very good but too much sweet fruit for my taste - the wife loved it!
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3/8/2008 - NuTricks wrote: 90 Points
Nice nose. The sweetest of the three zins we had with the cioppino.
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2/25/2008 - vanpe003 wrote: 90 Points
Excellent, though I thought the 2001 Continente slightly edged this one out.
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5/13/2007 - texaswino wrote: 92 Points
big, meaty, earthy zin. Really a nice example of this varietal. Rosenblum makes some great zins and this is usually one of them. Super ripe and chewy, smoke, meat and spice. Very nice.
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11/28/2006 - VinoRosso wrote: 93 Points
An awesome Zin. Full of fruit with chocolate, leather, smoke, meat, and cedar notes. Highly enjoyable.
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2/16/2005 - GlenD wrote: 91 Points
Brambly fruit with good intensity and weight. A little smoke and pepper on the mid-palate. It was better with air, and even better on the second day.
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2/14/2005 - mtroner wrote:
Gift from the Franklin's. Lovely Zin with a smooth finish and nice fruit flavor.
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1/1/2005 - BonnieM wrote:
Initially major cassis, not cooked but it reminded me very much of an 02 Marquis Philips Shiraz. Over the top fruit/alcohol etc. With a day's air in a glass carafe the heat dissipated and it became a very enjoyable wine.
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3/7/2004 - dsimmons wrote: 90 Points
Tasted at winery 2/20. Excelent zin. I love these guys.
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