Garnet color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of blueberries and freshly tilled earth. Earthy flavors framed over raspberries and cherries. Medium acidity, medium tannin, medium to full bodied. Drink now.
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Served at cellar temperature tonight with some dry-rubbed pork ribs, this showed bright, berry fruit and racy acidity with fully resolved tannins and medium body. Fresh, lively and hiding its 14.9% ABV well, it was a pleasure to drink and a nice accompaniment to the spicy rib meat.
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Too hot to start so I put it back for about 2 hours. After a decant, the heat dissipated to leave light blue fruit aromas with leather and coco. Medium light on the palate with good acidity. Not at all jammy which was very nice. Light blue fruits, mocha, indian spice, and mountain earth. Nice zin that was not too jammy which I always appreciate.
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Drank with the later portion of a hibachi dinner (the meat essentially). This had leather and cedar and some unripe blackberries. Not nearly as fruit forward as the average Zinfandel which was really enjoyable. Could tell this was mountain fruit and not valley floor - a lot more complex. One of the best Zins I've had. Drinking very well right now - not sure extra time would change much.
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Brambly is certainly the right descriptor. It's mulberry and cranberry and unripe raspberries. Less 'jammy' than what I typically think of when I think of a California Zin (in fact, not really 'jammy' at all). It's got cracked black pepper and a bit of a bitter end (prob driven by just a touch of tannin still holding on). Decent wine - prob wouldn't search it out but wouldn't turn it down either.
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Next to Dashe 2010 Zin Todd Bros VV. quite expressive aroma coming straight out of the fridge. Dark red fruit aromas, herb, power. Firm structured fruit. Not too brambly or jammy. Some earth and blueberry juice. Med/- tannin. Mineral and cocoa on the palate. Lime zest freshness, but ending on a long and subdued black pepper.
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Well-crafted Zin with bright forward fruit, good tannic balance throughout and softer finish than I prefer in Zins, but it paired nicely with grilled chicken and corn-on-the-cob.
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A little heat is noticeable but it isn't out of control. Dried fruit, vanilla and an herbal quality on the mid-palate that is kind of enjoyable with medium or lower acid. It has a medium-plus finish that warms the throat.
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A Bunch of Zins ($20 to $40): Others like this more than I. Ruby in color. The nose is tight but with air shows some cranberries, rhubarb and raspberries. Tart and pruney on the palate. i wonder if this had been heat damaged as the red fruit profile seemed at odds with the heat and prune. Also some heat here. 14.9% It is was certainly a drinkable wine but for me, not what I look for in a wine retailing for around $40 Ohio.
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Really enjoyed this with grilled medium-rare steak. Yes, it has 14.9 % alcohol, but I found it to be well balanced by great fruit and a hint of spice. As mentioned by others, this is not a jammy zin. Quite elegant actually.
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Positives: What a beautiful nose. This is an elegant Zin featuring blackberries, figs, raisins, raspberries, red currants, plums, fennel seeds, lead pencil & cracked black pepper. Medium body with low tannins, good acidity & a long length.
Negatives: Lots of heat coming from the 14.9% alcohol.
Interesting Point: Don't expect your typical jammy Zin. This is smooth & elegant, like a well aged Scotch. This winery does not use herbicides or insecticides on their grapes.
Drink now on its own or pair it with grilled tenderloin steak.
Tasted: 13 July 12
Top Pick
Score: 9+/10, Value: 8.5/10, Total: 18/20.
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+
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This is a bit less hot than the Eastern Exposures, but it's still extremely ripe. This just comes into the realm of Zinfandel that is hot and flabby; it's got too much heat, not enough acidity, and those sins can't be atoned for by having bold enough fruit. C+
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12/30/2023 - Skidea Likes this wine:
Still drinking well - end of 2023.
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6/8/2018 - wineismylife wrote: 88 Points
WIML88
Tasted non blind. Opened and served immediately.
Garnet color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of blueberries and freshly tilled earth. Earthy flavors framed over raspberries and cherries. Medium acidity, medium tannin, medium to full bodied. Drink now.
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9/3/2017 - CharlieScott85 wrote: flawed
We waited too long, drinking the bottle brought back beautiful memories but it tasted better during peak timing.
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3/14/2017 - Vinester wrote: 90 Points
Good smooth zin
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7/6/2016 - K&J Likes this wine: 90 Points
A nice Zin but perhaps a tad thinner than I was expecting. If the fruit was bolder, this could have warranted a bigger score.
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4/6/2014 - MLipton wrote:
Served at cellar temperature tonight with some dry-rubbed pork ribs, this showed bright, berry fruit and racy acidity with fully resolved tannins and medium body. Fresh, lively and hiding its 14.9% ABV well, it was a pleasure to drink and a nice accompaniment to the spicy rib meat.
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3/14/2014 - Skinneyku wrote: 91 Points
- Brick color.
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3/9/2014 - aaronl3182 wrote: 88 Points
Too hot to start so I put it back for about 2 hours. After a decant, the heat dissipated to leave light blue fruit aromas with leather and coco. Medium light on the palate with good acidity. Not at all jammy which was very nice. Light blue fruits, mocha, indian spice, and mountain earth. Nice zin that was not too jammy which I always appreciate.
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1/25/2014 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
Drank with the later portion of a hibachi dinner (the meat essentially). This had leather and cedar and some unripe blackberries. Not nearly as fruit forward as the average Zinfandel which was really enjoyable. Could tell this was mountain fruit and not valley floor - a lot more complex. One of the best Zins I've had. Drinking very well right now - not sure extra time would change much.
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11/29/2013 - MLipton wrote:
Still marked by oak, with plentiful berryish fruit and a bit soft. Pretty typical Zin, but not up to my expectations for this producer.
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11/10/2013 - MC2 Wines wrote: 88 Points
Brambly is certainly the right descriptor. It's mulberry and cranberry and unripe raspberries. Less 'jammy' than what I typically think of when I think of a California Zin (in fact, not really 'jammy' at all). It's got cracked black pepper and a bit of a bitter end (prob driven by just a touch of tannin still holding on). Decent wine - prob wouldn't search it out but wouldn't turn it down either.
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8/19/2013 - nzinkgraf wrote:
Next to Dashe 2010 Zin Todd Bros VV. quite expressive aroma coming straight out of the fridge. Dark red fruit aromas, herb, power. Firm structured fruit. Not too brambly or jammy. Some earth and blueberry juice. Med/- tannin. Mineral and cocoa on the palate. Lime zest freshness, but ending on a long and subdued black pepper.
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6/10/2013 - nzinkgraf wrote:
1976. Jerry Sepps. Calistoga.
Bramble. solid aroma. still some freshness and a touch of tannin.
Fantastic Zinfandel.
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5/18/2013 - sahlsmith Likes this wine: 90 Points
Well-crafted Zin with bright forward fruit, good tannic balance throughout and softer finish than I prefer in Zins, but it paired nicely with grilled chicken and corn-on-the-cob.
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4/12/2013 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Rich and spicy, very well done zin. Works at $40.
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1/5/2013 - Porchino wrote: 88 Points
The wine lost to swan and cake bread the year before it was fantastic
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12/15/2012 - astroman wrote:
California Cabernet Tasting: Funky palate simple.
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12/2/2012 - crsprout Likes this wine: 90 Points
Solid zinfandel. This one surprised me. For the cost, it was quite enjoyable...
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11/27/2012 - Wine Gopher wrote: 88 Points
A little heat is noticeable but it isn't out of control. Dried fruit, vanilla and an herbal quality on the mid-palate that is kind of enjoyable with medium or lower acid. It has a medium-plus finish that warms the throat.
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7/25/2012 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 86 Points
A Bunch of Zins ($20 to $40): Others like this more than I. Ruby in color. The nose is tight but with air shows some cranberries, rhubarb and raspberries. Tart and pruney on the palate. i wonder if this had been heat damaged as the red fruit profile seemed at odds with the heat and prune. Also some heat here. 14.9% It is was certainly a drinkable wine but for me, not what I look for in a wine retailing for around $40 Ohio.
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7/23/2012 - carjes wrote: 90 Points
Really enjoyed this with grilled medium-rare steak. Yes, it has 14.9 % alcohol, but I found it to be well balanced by great fruit and a hint of spice. As mentioned by others, this is not a jammy zin. Quite elegant actually.
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7/13/2012 - Rasiulis wrote: 91 Points
Light ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.
Positives: What a beautiful nose. This is an elegant Zin featuring blackberries, figs, raisins, raspberries, red currants, plums, fennel seeds, lead pencil & cracked black pepper. Medium body with low tannins, good acidity & a long length.
Negatives: Lots of heat coming from the 14.9% alcohol.
Interesting Point: Don't expect your typical jammy Zin. This is smooth & elegant, like a well aged Scotch. This winery does not use herbicides or insecticides on their grapes.
Drink now on its own or pair it with grilled tenderloin steak.
Tasted: 13 July 12
Top Pick
Score: 9+/10, Value: 8.5/10, Total: 18/20.
Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+
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5/9/2012 - gutt22 wrote:
This is a bit less hot than the Eastern Exposures, but it's still extremely ripe. This just comes into the realm of Zinfandel that is hot and flabby; it's got too much heat, not enough acidity, and those sins can't be atoned for by having bold enough fruit. C+
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1/23/2012 - BigTarheel wrote: 90 Points
Black fruit, balck pepper, violets and creamy oak. Medium full-bodied with good balance of tannin and acids. Needs a little more time
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