Deep color. Notes of plum, raspberry, boysenberry and vanillla. On the full side of medium-bodied with raspberry, dark fruit, spice and pepper flavors. Tannins are mostly resolved and this made for a nice companion to barbequed pork ribs.
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Took to a party. Still pretty terrific, but it seems to be slightly past its peak. Spicy dark fruit, with good complexity and viscosity. Very polished for a zin.
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Opened Saturday nite at a dinner party. However, after four of us went thru a 16.5% Turley and a 16%+ Martinelli, we were in no mood to tackle another Zin (actually, we were in no mood to do anything but nod off). I corked it, put it in the fridge, and reopened the following night, at which time it didn't seem as flat out wonderful as another bottle I'd had six months ago. Nevertheless, it was still pretty tasty. A lot of blackberries, spices, bramble, and pepper. Good body and very good finish. Still a winner and still a very good bargain.
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Even better than previous bottle five months ago. Very dark, with blackberries and spices on both the nose and palate. Has become even more spicy, brambly, and complex. Fairly viscous. Clearly better than the 04 Carlisle (Carlisle) and 05 Seghesio (Rockpile) that it was served alongside of.
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First one I've tasted since 2007. Opened immediately before drinking. Very dark color, blackberries on the nose. Blackberries, spices, and a little pepper (or bramble) on the palate. Medium weight and a decent finish. Obviously a Zin, but the heat wasn't noticeable and there were no raisins or port-like characteristics. Terrific balance of fruit, tannins, alcohol, etc., with no rough edges sticking out.
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Dark violet color, rich body, powerful blackberry nose; rich, silky mouthfeel and compelling blackberry cobbler flavor with a nice black pepper kick; great Zin with distinctive chacracter
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Nice, reminiscent of the Cline in the dark SunMaid raisin tone, but this was instead more like port that has oxidized a bit so that it turns reminiscent of dairy tones, or burnt browned butter… still, nice, fleeting coffee & toffee, some balance here, almost entirely satisfying, not bad for $25. Nice with pepper steak. Occam’s razor: we were sad to see the last drop fall.
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Rich violet color, violets and blackberry cobble ron the nose; as always, rich blackberry cobbler flavors wit black pepper and dough-y tastes. Delicious and rich.
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WS gives this Zin a 90 and well deserved. Subtle nose of berry and soft finish make this a good pour for the $$. Served this up with some spicy chili and it held up very well.
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From a vineyard, if I heard this correctly, planted at an elevation of 2,750 feet. Contains 24% Petite Sirah. Inky garnet color. Somewhat grapey at first, followed by aromas of white pepper, blueberry and black fruits. This is wonderfully balanced, with dark fruit and a touch of spice and vanilla through the long finish. An elegant, easy drinking style of Zinfandel. Will be interesting to see what a couple of years will do to this, though it is wonderful now.
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Brought this out at a dinner and it was quite a hit. A definitely jammy, fruit forward zin but does have backbone and some complexity. Should even get better 2-3 years out.
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11/15/2013 - AllRed wrote: 88 Points
Deep color. Notes of plum, raspberry, boysenberry and vanillla. On the full side of medium-bodied with raspberry, dark fruit, spice and pepper flavors. Tannins are mostly resolved and this made for a nice companion to barbequed pork ribs.
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1/27/2013 - clutj wrote: 91 Points
Still very good
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2/11/2012 - Night Train wrote: 90 Points
Took to a party. Still pretty terrific, but it seems to be slightly past its peak. Spicy dark fruit, with good complexity and viscosity. Very polished for a zin.
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11/13/2011 - Night Train wrote: 91 Points
Opened Saturday nite at a dinner party. However, after four of us went thru a 16.5% Turley and a 16%+ Martinelli, we were in no mood to tackle another Zin (actually, we were in no mood to do anything but nod off). I corked it, put it in the fridge, and reopened the following night, at which time it didn't seem as flat out wonderful as another bottle I'd had six months ago. Nevertheless, it was still pretty tasty. A lot of blackberries, spices, bramble, and pepper. Good body and very good finish. Still a winner and still a very good bargain.
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5/14/2011 - Night Train wrote: 92 Points
Even better than previous bottle five months ago. Very dark, with blackberries and spices on both the nose and palate. Has become even more spicy, brambly, and complex. Fairly viscous. Clearly better than the 04 Carlisle (Carlisle) and 05 Seghesio (Rockpile) that it was served alongside of.
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12/31/2010 - arthrovine wrote: 91 Points
drinking beautifully. will last maybe 1-2 years, but surely at its peak now.
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12/17/2010 - Night Train wrote: 90 Points
First one I've tasted since 2007. Opened immediately before drinking. Very dark color, blackberries on the nose. Blackberries, spices, and a little pepper (or bramble) on the palate. Medium weight and a decent finish. Obviously a Zin, but the heat wasn't noticeable and there were no raisins or port-like characteristics. Terrific balance of fruit, tannins, alcohol, etc., with no rough edges sticking out.
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12/2/2008 - sdatl wrote: 91 Points
Dark violet color, rich body, powerful blackberry nose; rich, silky mouthfeel and compelling blackberry cobbler flavor with a nice black pepper kick; great Zin with distinctive chacracter
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7/5/2008 - EvanJB wrote: 90 Points
Enjoyed very much, a real nice Zin, plenty of fruit, and pepper, nice finish
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6/13/2008 - Gargantua wrote: 90 Points
Nice, reminiscent of the Cline in the dark SunMaid raisin tone, but this was instead more like port that has oxidized a bit so that it turns reminiscent of dairy tones, or burnt browned butter… still, nice, fleeting coffee & toffee, some balance here, almost entirely satisfying, not bad for $25. Nice with pepper steak. Occam’s razor: we were sad to see the last drop fall.
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3/28/2008 - alandf wrote: 91 Points
A tasty pile of fruit and spice box -- not a fruit bomb -- fills the mouth nicely.
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1/31/2008 - Billyray wrote: 90 Points
Still a 90 (WS) in my book. Great nose of fruit jam right through to the palate. Smooth finish with a trace of oak and leather remaining.
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1/29/2008 - sdatl wrote: 91 Points
Rich violet color, violets and blackberry cobble ron the nose; as always, rich blackberry cobbler flavors wit black pepper and dough-y tastes. Delicious and rich.
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12/21/2007 - Billyray wrote: 90 Points
WS gives this Zin a 90 and well deserved. Subtle nose of berry and soft finish make this a good pour for the $$. Served this up with some spicy chili and it held up very well.
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12/4/2007 - jsokel wrote: 90 Points
This has a little bit of their Petite Syrah in it, which gives it a nice little kick. Very bold and jammy.
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10/13/2007 - Dulcie and Aylwin wrote:
Made with 25 % Petite Syrah. Inky dark red, primarily berry fruit, quite hot, somewhat one-dimensional. Well made but not as "zin" as many zins.
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9/24/2007 - AllRed wrote: 90 Points
From a vineyard, if I heard this correctly, planted at an elevation of 2,750 feet. Contains 24% Petite Sirah. Inky garnet color. Somewhat grapey at first, followed by aromas of white pepper, blueberry and black fruits. This is wonderfully balanced, with dark fruit and a touch of spice and vanilla through the long finish. An elegant, easy drinking style of Zinfandel. Will be interesting to see what a couple of years will do to this, though it is wonderful now.
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6/17/2007 - LSKIII wrote: 88 Points
Brought this out at a dinner and it was quite a hit. A definitely jammy, fruit forward zin but does have backbone and some complexity. Should even get better 2-3 years out.
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