Wow, what a pleasure this was. This was an interesting wine for us. We bought it at the estate with Mike and Terry Lamborn - lovely people - in 2014. I'd read a less than flattering review on it, but when we tasted it we all loved it. I talked about that review with them, and they didn't quite get it, nor did Heidi Barrett, their winemaker. It's just a guess, but there might be 2 factors at work: 1. the alcohol is pretty high 2. 2011 was maligned in Napa as it was comparatively cool and rainy. But, Lamborn is near the top of Howell Mountain and misses a lot of the weather and fog that impact the valley floor. Regardless, we felt it was stitching together then and would do well with some cellaring. 8 years later, we were correct. It was the last bottle of the evening and I didn't plan on opening it, but we were with the friends we bought it with, so why not? I gave it a quick decant and it drank beautifully.
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This was not as enjoyable as other vintages. It had an herbal quality in the place of where fruit might be. It could be due to vintage or age, I'm not sure.
This is was definitely enjoyable but I would certainly choose '12, '13', or '14 over this right now.
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Proof that a great vineyard and a great winemaker can defy a challenging and maligned vintage. Perhaps the inherent herbal qualities of Zinfandel "hid" any green notes from the 11 vintage, perhaps not. Voluptuous on the palate with spice driven flavors of ripe strawberry, cherry and rhubarb hints of plum and some berry preserves. Juicy, bright and pure, remaining lively on the palate from start to finish balanced by Heidi's signature velvety tannin structure. It's only gotten better with time and as such, I wish I had more. Delicious on its own, but try with BBQ, grilled meats or cheeses both sharp and creamy. Just put it in your face.
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Clean on the nose. Dark garnet in color. Deep blackberry, black current, black cherry on the nose. Earthly, deep and rich Howell Mountain fruit. Almost blueberry on the palate, concentrated black fruit. Well balanced. Awesome bottle.
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Perfumed nose, great blue dark mountain fruit, well balanced tannins and long finish. Drinking very well now. Consistent, 3rd bottle in last year and all about 92 points.
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Wonderfully balanced wine! In a blind taste we would have mistaken it for a cab because of how much more robust and peppery it is than most zins. This would easily stand up to a steak, but we found it a perfect match to lasagna. The red sauce and he wine were a great compliment to each other.
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6/22/2022 - winespine Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wow, what a pleasure this was. This was an interesting wine for us. We bought it at the estate with Mike and Terry Lamborn - lovely people - in 2014. I'd read a less than flattering review on it, but when we tasted it we all loved it. I talked about that review with them, and they didn't quite get it, nor did Heidi Barrett, their winemaker. It's just a guess, but there might be 2 factors at work: 1. the alcohol is pretty high 2. 2011 was maligned in Napa as it was comparatively cool and rainy. But, Lamborn is near the top of Howell Mountain and misses a lot of the weather and fog that impact the valley floor. Regardless, we felt it was stitching together then and would do well with some cellaring. 8 years later, we were correct. It was the last bottle of the evening and I didn't plan on opening it, but we were with the friends we bought it with, so why not? I gave it a quick decant and it drank beautifully.
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11/30/2019 - knorthrip Likes this wine: 92 Points
The slight menthol note really adds some nice lift and elegance to the more typical blackberry, vanilla, and earthy notes.
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11/4/2019 - WineWright wrote:
Not sure if these two were off, but we found them too pungent to drink.
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9/14/2019 - knorthrip Likes this wine: 91 Points
Still very pretty.
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1/29/2019 - ChrisWagner Likes this wine: 90 Points
This was not as enjoyable as other vintages. It had an herbal quality in the place of where fruit might be. It could be due to vintage or age, I'm not sure.
This is was definitely enjoyable but I would certainly choose '12, '13', or '14 over this right now.
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2/12/2018 - vegasoenophile Likes this wine: 94 Points
Proof that a great vineyard and a great winemaker can defy a challenging and maligned vintage. Perhaps the inherent herbal qualities of Zinfandel "hid" any green notes from the 11 vintage, perhaps not. Voluptuous on the palate with spice driven flavors of ripe strawberry, cherry and rhubarb hints of plum and some berry preserves. Juicy, bright and pure, remaining lively on the palate from start to finish balanced by Heidi's signature velvety tannin structure. It's only gotten better with time and as such, I wish I had more. Delicious on its own, but try with BBQ, grilled meats or cheeses both sharp and creamy. Just put it in your face.
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8/31/2017 - D3S Likes this wine: 92 Points
Perfumed nose, great blue dark mountain fruit, spice and well balanced tannins with medium finish. Drinking very well now.
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12/24/2016 - christianminer Likes this wine: 92 Points
Clean on the nose. Dark garnet in color. Deep blackberry, black current, black cherry on the nose. Earthly, deep and rich Howell Mountain fruit. Almost blueberry on the palate, concentrated black fruit. Well balanced. Awesome bottle.
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7/17/2016 - D3S Likes this wine: 92 Points
Perfumed nose, great blue dark mountain fruit, well balanced tannins and long finish. Drinking very well now. Consistent, 3rd bottle in last year and all about 92 points.
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4/23/2016 - kylerogers wrote: 93 Points
Nose: creamy blackberries, strawberries and balsamic, cigar box
Palate: spicy blackberries, dried herbs, spearmint, cedar, fresh vanilla
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12/30/2015 - BigBoy_Sonoma Likes this wine: 89 Points
black fruit, pepper, jammy fruit. smokey oak B+/-A
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6/9/2015 - hopkinstx wrote: 95 Points
Awesome Zinfandel. Deep velvety jammy......
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3/1/2015 - DaninClearwater wrote: 94 Points
Great bottle of zin
much like its neighbor Outpost
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2/19/2015 - Lion King Likes this wine: 96 Points
Spectacular Bottle. Nice Balance. Good favors. Drinks like a Cab. Smooth and robust.
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2/22/2014 - BRY Likes this wine: 95 Points
Wonderfully balanced wine! In a blind taste we would have mistaken it for a cab because of how much more robust and peppery it is than most zins. This would easily stand up to a steak, but we found it a perfect match to lasagna. The red sauce and he wine were a great compliment to each other.
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