It had been a long time since my last Ravenswood Old Hill, but the wine brought back all the good memories. Ripe red berries, spice, a bit of bay and rosemary were all together on the nose, and then the palate amped up the fruit and spice. Medium bodied, it holds its alcohol well, though there is more than a hint of volatile acidity. Still, it’s along a line from the Ravenswood I remember, and in a style that I very much enjoy.
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Purple in color. 14.9% ABV. Stunning nose of red and black fruits, plums and white pepper. Full bodied with moderate acidity. Rich and plush with great texture on the palate. Flavors of raspberry compote, boysenberry, earth and pepper. Chalky, dusty tannins on an exceptionally long finish. Easily the most impressive Zinfandel I have had from Ravenswood in the last several years. Old Hill Ranch is the diamond in the Ravenswood SVD lineup. Drink over the next 4-6 years.
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Awesome, full-bodied spicy red with ruby-red fruits upfront. A little slow in the midpalate had had a nice ending. It has held up well and was a perfect sharing bottle without food on a Lenten Friday.
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Plum, cherry, and ether on the nose. On the palate, black cherry, blackberry, and raspberry, with notes of black pepper and savory herbs on the medium to long finish, with moderate acidity and no noticeable tannins, although this does show some alcoholic heat. This is fairly well balanced and refined, and I would score it higher if not for the alcohol showing through. Average value at about $40.
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Elegant aromas of black raspberries, boysenberries, subtle spice, and a hint of licorice. The palate is briary and peppery, complex and structured, showing youthful tannin and a touch of dark chocolate. This is brooding yet deft. Decant or hold.
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Blind Zinfandel Tasting (Prior Lake, MN): Wine C and G of the tasting (2 different people brought it). Consistent. Aromatic, with high amount of flavor & red fruit and a touch of spice. Fairly complex but seems to be a bit high alcohol.
Rated 91 pts (both bottles) by both my wife and I. My #3 and #4 wines (out of 7), wife - #1 and #2. Group - tied for 2nd; 4th.
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Strong Zin- very well made. Red fruits, some oak and a little acid. Haven't had a Ravenswood Zin in 4-5 years, and was wowed by this wine and forgot the big producers can still put out decent juice.
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Another winner, showing a pleasant mint character amidst cherry and raspberry flavors. Nice texture and finish, trailing a pleasant touch of grippy tannin. Bold but controlled.
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Lots of serious, dark fruits... blackberries, plums and black cherries. Strong cracked black pepper and licorice with strong, grippy tannins that really beg for some cellar time. A lot of complexity here.
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Not bad, but this needs a bit more time. Dark, lively, sappy purple fruits, with palate tingling spices. The tannins are a bit course and leaves a drying sensation on the palate. The oak is in check and this seems like it can only get better with time.
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Nose: Very complex aromas of floral and brambly red fruits, spice, sage, and tree moss. Palate: Light styled with the brambly red fruits, assorted spices and a medium length, refined finish. A nice finesse Zin that is drinking great now, but certainly could go another year or so. 90+ points.
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Nice clear ruby red. Restrained nose, blackberry and raspberry, pepper and (eventually) mint. Actually quite elegant, medium-full body, with well focused red and black fruit, dried herb, and a tinge of peach on the finish. Tannins are modest, but present. Very 2011 in style. Really good Zin. More elegant than the 1999 bruiser version of this wine, which still ranks as one of my very favorite zinfandels ever.
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Blind Tasting - California Reds: Clear bright ruby color. Spice-toned nose with raspberries, red cherries and sweet red licorice. Fine tannins and medium acid on the palate. Raspberry and red plum fruit dominates, and there’s a lot of spice, earth, chestnut and eucalyptus. A nice brisk finish. Pure and lively. 75% Zinfandel and 25% “mixed blacks” aged 19 months in 30% new French oak.
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1/7/2023 - flussier Likes this wine: 92 Points
Robe bourgogne ambrée assez claire. Vin rond et complexe sur des arômes de chocolat, sang, torréfaction et boisé. Décanté 45min, prêt à boire.
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1/11/2018 - Rieslingfan wrote:
It had been a long time since my last Ravenswood Old Hill, but the wine brought back all the good memories. Ripe red berries, spice, a bit of bay and rosemary were all together on the nose, and then the palate amped up the fruit and spice. Medium bodied, it holds its alcohol well, though there is more than a hint of volatile acidity. Still, it’s along a line from the Ravenswood I remember, and in a style that I very much enjoy.
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9/23/2017 - tomlee wrote: 94 Points
Purple in color. 14.9% ABV. Stunning nose of red and black fruits, plums and white pepper. Full bodied with moderate acidity. Rich and plush with great texture on the palate. Flavors of raspberry compote, boysenberry, earth and pepper. Chalky, dusty tannins on an exceptionally long finish. Easily the most impressive Zinfandel I have had from Ravenswood in the last several years. Old Hill Ranch is the diamond in the Ravenswood SVD lineup. Drink over the next 4-6 years.
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9/22/2017 - Neat Water Back Likes this wine:
Spicy. In a great place. Pour a glass and let the bottle sit for about an hour and you will be greatly rewarded.
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9/11/2017 - kennyd Likes this wine: 91 Points
Give our last bottle maybe 1 more year.
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3/3/2017 - monk1019 Likes this wine: 88 Points
Awesome, full-bodied spicy red with ruby-red fruits upfront. A little slow in the midpalate had had a nice ending. It has held up well and was a perfect sharing bottle without food on a Lenten Friday.
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1/29/2017 - Mattshank wrote: 91 Points
Last bottle and still drinking solid. Good time to go out.
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6/19/2016 - RichardP wrote: 91 Points
Plum, cherry, and ether on the nose. On the palate, black cherry, blackberry, and raspberry, with notes of black pepper and savory herbs on the medium to long finish, with moderate acidity and no noticeable tannins, although this does show some alcoholic heat. This is fairly well balanced and refined, and I would score it higher if not for the alcohol showing through. Average value at about $40.
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6/9/2016 - Baron Slick wrote: 91 Points
Elegant aromas of black raspberries, boysenberries, subtle spice, and a hint of licorice. The palate is briary and peppery, complex and structured, showing youthful tannin and a touch of dark chocolate. This is brooding yet deft. Decant or hold.
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4/18/2016 - ecola Likes this wine: 89 Points
Ripe dark fruit, subtle baking spice. Savory and full bodied on the palate, but not too viscous or overwhelming. Moderate length finish. Drink now.
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3/26/2016 - GoBlue2002 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Blind Zinfandel Tasting (Prior Lake, MN): Wine C and G of the tasting (2 different people brought it).
Consistent.
Aromatic, with high amount of flavor & red fruit and a touch of spice. Fairly complex but seems to be a bit high alcohol.
Rated 91 pts (both bottles) by both my wife and I.
My #3 and #4 wines (out of 7), wife - #1 and #2. Group - tied for 2nd; 4th.
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11/22/2015 - VinoPKM wrote: 91 Points
Strong Zin- very well made. Red fruits, some oak and a little acid. Haven't had a Ravenswood Zin in 4-5 years, and was wowed by this wine and forgot the big producers can still put out decent juice.
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9/15/2015 - nectar14 Likes this wine:
Another winner, showing a pleasant mint character amidst cherry and raspberry flavors. Nice texture and finish, trailing a pleasant touch of grippy tannin. Bold but controlled.
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8/30/2015 - Mattshank wrote: 91 Points
Very similar to notes on 6/15/15 but the floral qualities on the nose are super complex. Just a wonderfully balanced Zin and now 91 points.
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8/6/2015 - mdefreitas wrote: 90 Points
Lots of serious, dark fruits... blackberries, plums and black cherries. Strong cracked black pepper and licorice with strong, grippy tannins that really beg for some cellar time. A lot of complexity here.
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7/18/2015 - bklynfoodie Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking well now. Full berry flavor without excessive jamminess.
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7/16/2015 - mdefreitas wrote: 89 Points
Not bad, but this needs a bit more time. Dark, lively, sappy purple fruits, with palate tingling spices. The tannins are a bit course and leaves a drying sensation on the palate. The oak is in check and this seems like it can only get better with time.
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7/5/2015 - kennyd Likes this wine: 89 Points
Needs more time.
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6/15/2015 - Mattshank wrote: 90 Points
Nose: Very complex aromas of floral and brambly red fruits, spice, sage, and tree moss. Palate: Light styled with the brambly red fruits, assorted spices and a medium length, refined finish. A nice finesse Zin that is drinking great now, but certainly could go another year or so. 90+ points.
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5/3/2015 - nectar14 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nice clear ruby red. Restrained nose, blackberry and raspberry, pepper and (eventually) mint. Actually quite elegant, medium-full body, with well focused red and black fruit, dried herb, and a tinge of peach on the finish. Tannins are modest, but present. Very 2011 in style. Really good Zin. More elegant than the 1999 bruiser version of this wine, which still ranks as one of my very favorite zinfandels ever.
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4/18/2015 - Bricks Likes this wine: 91 Points
terrific wine. Lively/spicey with a pleasant nose. I decanted while we drank but not sure was necessary.
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4/12/2015 - bklynfoodie Likes this wine: 90 Points
ISAACJAMESBAKER got this just right. You won't be disappointed.
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12/19/2013 - isaacjamesbaker wrote: 90 Points
Blind Tasting - California Reds: Clear bright ruby color. Spice-toned nose with raspberries, red cherries and sweet red licorice. Fine tannins and medium acid on the palate. Raspberry and red plum fruit dominates, and there’s a lot of spice, earth, chestnut and eucalyptus. A nice brisk finish. Pure and lively. 75% Zinfandel and 25% “mixed blacks” aged 19 months in 30% new French oak.
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