This bottle was not too happy to be opened. With a few hours of air, it started to show better, but overall the wine seemed to be in a somewhat grumpy stage.
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14.0% abv. My contribution to a family blind Zinfandel tasting. 5 other bottles were in the tasting. Really an outlier among 5 other Zins, with very high tartness and lean body. I don't know, this is really under ripe and has no charm at all. Nobody enjoyed this at all, including me. I like balance in reds, and this one is very imbalanced toward the acidic side. I appreciate the style, but this is too extreme for me.
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Crimson in color. 14% ABV. Sensational nose of black fruits, anise and cocoa. Medium body with medium acidity. Claret style Zinfandel with prominent fruits. The wine took about thirty minutes to open up. Black cherry, blackberry, earth and pepper on the palate. Nice length on the finish. The Sky Vineyards Zins reward cellaring but I am inclined to drink this one over the next several years.
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What a fascinating wine, and one that’s not your typical overblown Zinfandel fruit bomb. Not at all. This is what Zinfandel would taste like if it were grown in , and made in the traditional style of, Bordeaux.
Very youthful appearing; completely translucent with a watery rim. The nose is complex and evolves rapidly. At first, there was a bit of VA, high end aged balsamic vinegar, then opened up into sour cherry, red plum, spearmint, and for a time, a pronounced clove spiciness that I was sad to see dissipate.
In the mouth, medium acidity, and as many other CellarTracker commenters have noticed, quite high tannins; MKS83 describes the dense tannins as high thread count cotton sheets, and I love this analogy. Red fruits, pepper, soil, long finish of fresh plums. Beautiful. The tannin structure makes me think that this could age beautifully. It’s gone 8 yrs and still is a baby, I’d love to try this at 10, 20, and 30 yrs of age.
This is a great wine that reminds me of two things: 1- Zinfandel is as noble a grape as any. It is pegged as a grape that makes early drinking, inky dark, fruity wines that pair well with BBQ. Some Zins are like that, but this is a different beast altogether. That character speaks more to winemaking style than anything. 2- I’ve got to drink more Zinfandel.
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Day 1 - Nose is integrated combination of both fresh and matured - blackberry, black raspberry, red plum, black pepper, highly floral (violet and plum flower), subtle oak, with additional complexity of balsamic vinegar. In the mouth, medium++ plummy acidity, medium+ smooth and high concentration tannin (like high threadcount cotton sheet). Medeum+ length but consistently intense finish. Overall, very old world (reminds of blaufrankish or ripe matured cab franc again). 2013 vintage was still tight when I opened 2 years ago, but this one is fully open from the beginning, and in such a beautiful drinking window now. 91.
Day 2 - Opened up further, I have to adjust the level of tannin/acidity to high (concentration on day 1 transformed into volume). Gained dusty dark cherry/cranberry. 91-92.
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Interesting for sure, and as others have noted, not your modern Zinfandel jam jar. Plum and cherry are there for sure, but kept well in check by tannin and acidity that were still too assertive for me after one hour decant. More friendly at hour two. Charcoal and wood, and there is a definite Cab Franc-like vegetal theme and bramble that makes this an interesting enigma.
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On day one (pop and poured), the nose is already open for business. Cedar/eucalyptus, redwood bark, plum, lingonberry. On the palate, there's crazy high tannin, medium plus acid. Lots of structure here. There's also some sour cherry, some of the cedar/redwood, but it's not as complex as the nose. There's not enough body/fruit intensity to back up the structure.
On day two, the nose is a little darker, more serious. It's still heavy on the eucalyptus/redwood/cedar. But the fruit is transitioning to more of a classic zinfandel brambly fruit character. The main difference is on the palate, which has started to fill out. Still a lot of structure, but now the fruit is there to balance it.
On day three, the wine is really starting to show its stuff. Cedar/redwood, black cherry, plum, graphite. The body is flushed out to meet the tannin. You could tell me that this was a very classically made left-bank claret and I would believe you. Great stuff, and it makes me glad I have plenty of the 2013s stored away.
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2014 Sky Vineyards Zinfandel Mt. Veeder: Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley, CA: Opened and poured first glasses about an hour before diving in. A lovely medium ruby in the glass that has some purple flashes as you swirl. Immediately providing a warm cherry pie aroma with other rustic red fruits, raspberry and plum. On the palate the cherry dominance continued through the first glass with a tarter finish than the perceived sweetness on the nose would lead you to expect. The cherry relaxed to provide further red fruits, blackberries and notes of pepper, eucalyptus, and further earthiness. Wine is on the lower side of the alcohol for zinfandel and think that may help the fruit comes through clean without augmentation. Still true to zinfandel with nice unique tartness and balanced with a good backbone of acidity. Tannins for years ahead, but not distracting in the present. Really a nice interpretation and each characteristic makes this one stand on its own. . There was a great interview on the Bedrock podcast a while back detailing the near loss of the Sky property during the 2017 fires and have been meaning to pick up some ever since. Sky Vineyards is located near the crown of Mt. Veeder above Mayacamas with fourteen acres planted. At 2100 feet the zinfandel and Syrah eastern-facing plantings are producing some fantastic juice. Will def being grabbing some more.
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On pop and pour, the nose was ridiculous — an inviting mix of brambly red fruits. The palate was not so inviting at first — tannic and tart — but opened up with some time in the glass to reveal more red fruit and pepper, though the overall structure of the wine stuck around. I think a decant would be wiser here, but not sure I could resist…
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PNP. Now this is a good zin, made in an old world, restrained style, not jammy or alcoholic at all. Nice floral aromatics, bright red fruit, some bramble a hint of pepper. Fresh acid structure, tart towards the end, tannins slightly chewy. Drinks almost like a classic claret. Nice wine, great value.
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If you are interested in a refined Zinfandel made in a classic style this is a fantastic wine. I’ve enjoyed great examples of Zinfandel from time to time I’ve tended to avoid it over the last couple years, finding most examples overripe, and with the fruit and alcohol way out of balance.
This wine comes in at 14% alcohol (as opposed to the increasing norm of 15-17) and pours a medium ruby. It’s immediately obvious from the color and bouquet that this is a different and lighter style. However, on the nose you are immediately greated by blackberries and notes of pepper, eucalyptus, and something a bit earthy. On the palate the fruit comes through clean and strong but is tart and balanced with a nice medium to high backbone of acidity. The acid carries the fruit through on the finish and there are noticeable tannins (though not unpleasant). Overall, really wonderful. I enjoy this wine as much for what is there (balance, acid, complex notes) as what is not (strong imparting of flavor from oak, heaviness from high alcohol, jammy sweetness).
This vineyard is above Mayacamas high on Veeder. From what I hear the operation was nearly entirely destroyed in a 2017 fire so not sure how much there will be of future vintages. It’s for sale on their website and a great deal.
Nose of sappy fir tree with hints of orange peel and some purple fruit hiding underneath. Earthy cherry and cranberry fruit with a rush of acidity that races across wet stones and watermelon candy flavors. Finish starts with sour cherry then echoes the watermelon candy with a light mineral note. Far out!
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This has all the makings of a great Zin in the restrained, untypical style. Bright fruits, nice tannins and a great acid end. Light on it's feet. Unfortunately, my bottle had a lot of barnyard that stayed with it, obscuring what you could tell was a great wine underneath it. Too much to ignore, unfortunately. Hopefully just a batch.
Bright red to purple. Berry nose, black raspberry. Palate is red and black raspberry and licorice. The body is medium weight, with steely tannin and a lightning bolt of acidity... surprising for a Zinfandel. Not sure if I would recommend this wine. It tastes ripe and yummy but it feels unripe.
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PnP. Day 1: No detailed notes, just "Super rustic and funky." Day 2: Crazy nose of sandalwood incense, cinnamon, roses, and cherry compote. Dry red cherry, cranberry, and more sandalwood. There was some vegetal / green pepper notes on day 1 that seem to have faded. Crisp, acidic finish with sour cherries, brush, grilled shishito pepper notes, floating into sour citrus and cooked peach, with more spice.
This is the weirdest wine we can remember since we visited the Kaz Winery in 2003.
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Candied cherry and raspberry with white pepper and red pepper notes. Bright palate loaded with cherry, cranberry, and ripe fruits with loads of acid, finishing with medium tannins, clay, and a soft, loamy style. A very different take on Zinfandel.
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14.0% abv. Interesting takes on this Zin and I have to say that it deserves to be controversial. This showed bright, slightly tart red fruit with relatively low ripeness. Fairly light-bodied but deceptive depth that needs your attention to really get. Flavor profile is indeed claret-like and bears little resemblance to its more fruit-forward brethren like Turley or Carlisle Zins. Very little oak influence. I appreciate the style and enjoyed this, but I was left a little wanting. I think this has the structure to develop and improve for many more years, so I'll probably hang onto my other bottles for at least a year or two before opening another. If scoring now, 88 - 89.
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Decanted 2 hours. Musky flower aromas I typically think of as stem inclusion. Bright fruit frontal attack- a combination of Andersen Valley-esque creaminess and crunchy acidity with some dusty tannin to keep it in harmony and give it length. Delicious. Much more my jam than the 2013 version.
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Crimson in color. 14% ABV. Sublime nose of jammy red and black fruits, licorice and pepper. Full bodied with mouth watering acidity. Big and jammy but still somewhat rustic. Somehow this Zinfandel threads the needle between modern and Claret in style. Blackberry, black cherry, earth and pepper on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish. Delicious, mountain grown Zin that has the structure and concentration to age well. Best over the next 3-5 years.
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First bottle the cork fell apart and nose was entirely acetate, with a muted palate. Second bottle was bang on: just slight acetate on the nose alongside spice and bramble fruit. Palate shows tart blackberry, spiced red fruit, hints of fresh cut grass, volcanic rock. Wonderfully gritty and mouth coating tannins. Strong acidic backbone.
Did not investigate the winemaking style, but not difficult to guess low intervention and it works. Just slightly backwards and short today, suspect it needs 2-3 years to begin shining.
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11/9/2023 - ekorn wrote:
This bottle was not too happy to be opened. With a few hours of air, it started to show better, but overall the wine seemed to be in a somewhat grumpy stage.
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7/23/2023 - PIntag wrote: 82 Points
14.0% abv.
My contribution to a family blind Zinfandel tasting. 5 other bottles were in the tasting.
Really an outlier among 5 other Zins, with very high tartness and lean body. I don't know, this is really under ripe and has no charm at all. Nobody enjoyed this at all, including me. I like balance in reds, and this one is very imbalanced toward the acidic side. I appreciate the style, but this is too extreme for me.
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5/24/2023 - tomlee wrote: 92 Points
Crimson in color. 14% ABV. Sensational nose of black fruits, anise and cocoa. Medium body with medium acidity. Claret style Zinfandel with prominent fruits. The wine took about thirty minutes to open up. Black cherry, blackberry, earth and pepper on the palate. Nice length on the finish. The Sky Vineyards Zins reward cellaring but I am inclined to drink this one over the next several years.
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7/11/2022 - NoahCap wrote:
What a fascinating wine, and one that’s not your typical overblown Zinfandel fruit bomb. Not at all. This is what Zinfandel would taste like if it were grown in , and made in the traditional style of, Bordeaux.
Very youthful appearing; completely translucent with a watery rim. The nose is complex and evolves rapidly. At first, there was a bit of VA, high end aged balsamic vinegar, then opened up into sour cherry, red plum, spearmint, and for a time, a pronounced clove spiciness that I was sad to see dissipate.
In the mouth, medium acidity, and as many other CellarTracker commenters have noticed, quite high tannins; MKS83 describes the dense tannins as high thread count cotton sheets, and I love this analogy. Red fruits, pepper, soil, long finish of fresh plums. Beautiful. The tannin structure makes me think that this could age beautifully. It’s gone 8 yrs and still is a baby, I’d love to try this at 10, 20, and 30 yrs of age.
This is a great wine that reminds me of two things: 1- Zinfandel is as noble a grape as any. It is pegged as a grape that makes early drinking, inky dark, fruity wines that pair well with BBQ. Some Zins are like that, but this is a different beast altogether. That character speaks more to winemaking style than anything. 2- I’ve got to drink more Zinfandel.
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7/5/2022 - mks83 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Day 1 - Nose is integrated combination of both fresh and matured - blackberry, black raspberry, red plum, black pepper, highly floral (violet and plum flower), subtle oak, with additional complexity of balsamic vinegar. In the mouth, medium++ plummy acidity, medium+ smooth and high concentration tannin (like high threadcount cotton sheet). Medeum+ length but consistently intense finish. Overall, very old world (reminds of blaufrankish or ripe matured cab franc again). 2013 vintage was still tight when I opened 2 years ago, but this one is fully open from the beginning, and in such a beautiful drinking window now. 91.
Day 2 - Opened up further, I have to adjust the level of tannin/acidity to high (concentration on day 1 transformed into volume). Gained dusty dark cherry/cranberry. 91-92.
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6/11/2022 - lundmc wrote: 90 Points
Interesting for sure, and as others have noted, not your modern Zinfandel jam jar. Plum and cherry are there for sure, but kept well in check by tannin and acidity that were still too assertive for me after one hour decant. More friendly at hour two. Charcoal and wood, and there is a definite Cab Franc-like vegetal theme and bramble that makes this an interesting enigma.
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5/7/2022 - mkribar Likes this wine:
On day one (pop and poured), the nose is already open for business. Cedar/eucalyptus, redwood bark, plum, lingonberry. On the palate, there's crazy high tannin, medium plus acid. Lots of structure here. There's also some sour cherry, some of the cedar/redwood, but it's not as complex as the nose. There's not enough body/fruit intensity to back up the structure.
On day two, the nose is a little darker, more serious. It's still heavy on the eucalyptus/redwood/cedar. But the fruit is transitioning to more of a classic zinfandel brambly fruit character. The main difference is on the palate, which has started to fill out. Still a lot of structure, but now the fruit is there to balance it.
On day three, the wine is really starting to show its stuff. Cedar/redwood, black cherry, plum, graphite. The body is flushed out to meet the tannin. You could tell me that this was a very classically made left-bank claret and I would believe you. Great stuff, and it makes me glad I have plenty of the 2013s stored away.
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3/6/2022 - junetoaugust Likes this wine: 92 Points
2014 Sky Vineyards Zinfandel Mt. Veeder: Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley, CA: Opened and poured first glasses about an hour before diving in. A lovely medium ruby in the glass that has some purple flashes as you swirl. Immediately providing a warm cherry pie aroma with other rustic red fruits, raspberry and plum. On the palate the cherry dominance continued through the first glass with a tarter finish than the perceived sweetness on the nose would lead you to expect. The cherry relaxed to provide further red fruits, blackberries and notes of pepper, eucalyptus, and further earthiness. Wine is on the lower side of the alcohol for zinfandel and think that may help the fruit comes through clean without augmentation. Still true to zinfandel with nice unique tartness and balanced with a good backbone of acidity. Tannins for years ahead, but not distracting in the present. Really a nice interpretation and each characteristic makes this one stand on its own.
.
There was a great interview on the Bedrock podcast a while back detailing the near loss of the Sky property during the 2017 fires and have been meaning to pick up some ever since. Sky Vineyards is located near the crown of Mt. Veeder above Mayacamas with fourteen acres planted. At 2100 feet the zinfandel and Syrah eastern-facing plantings are producing some fantastic juice. Will def being grabbing some more.
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2/19/2022 - ekorn Likes this wine:
On pop and pour, the nose was ridiculous — an inviting mix of brambly red fruits. The palate was not so inviting at first — tannic and tart — but opened up with some time in the glass to reveal more red fruit and pepper, though the overall structure of the wine stuck around. I think a decant would be wiser here, but not sure I could resist…
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2/2/2022 - Maphill01 wrote:
PNP. Now this is a good zin, made in an old world, restrained style, not jammy or alcoholic at all. Nice floral aromatics, bright red fruit, some bramble a hint of pepper. Fresh acid structure, tart towards the end, tannins slightly chewy. Drinks almost like a classic claret. Nice wine, great value.
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2/1/2022 - Lyonspat13 Likes this wine: 92 Points
If you are interested in a refined Zinfandel made in a classic style this is a fantastic wine. I’ve enjoyed great examples of Zinfandel from time to time I’ve tended to avoid it over the last couple years, finding most examples overripe, and with the fruit and alcohol way out of balance.
This wine comes in at 14% alcohol (as opposed to the increasing norm of 15-17) and pours a medium ruby. It’s immediately obvious from the color and bouquet that this is a different and lighter style. However, on the nose you are immediately greated by blackberries and notes of pepper, eucalyptus, and something a bit earthy. On the palate the fruit comes through clean and strong but is tart and balanced with a nice medium to high backbone of acidity. The acid carries the fruit through on the finish and there are noticeable tannins (though not unpleasant). Overall, really wonderful. I enjoy this wine as much for what is there (balance, acid, complex notes) as what is not (strong imparting of flavor from oak, heaviness from high alcohol, jammy sweetness).
This vineyard is above Mayacamas high on Veeder. From what I hear the operation was nearly entirely destroyed in a 2017 fire so not sure how much there will be of future vintages. It’s for sale on their website and a great deal.
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1/17/2022 - flydcjets Likes this wine: 90 Points
A snappy aroma, with a nice dark berry bold finish.
We paired this with beef and bean chili.
Cheers
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1/4/2022 - VAGenius wrote: 90 Points
Nose of sappy fir tree with hints of orange peel and some purple fruit hiding underneath. Earthy cherry and cranberry fruit with a rush of acidity that races across wet stones and watermelon candy flavors. Finish starts with sour cherry then echoes the watermelon candy with a light mineral note. Far out!
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1/2/2022 - S-F wrote:
This has all the makings of a great Zin in the restrained, untypical style. Bright fruits, nice tannins and a great acid end. Light on it's feet. Unfortunately, my bottle had a lot of barnyard that stayed with it, obscuring what you could tell was a great wine underneath it. Too much to ignore, unfortunately. Hopefully just a batch.
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12/4/2021 - KVM wrote:
Bright red to purple. Berry nose, black raspberry. Palate is red and black raspberry and licorice. The body is medium weight, with steely tannin and a lightning bolt of acidity... surprising for a Zinfandel. Not sure if I would recommend this wine. It tastes ripe and yummy but it feels unripe.
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10/9/2021 - VAGenius wrote:
PnP. Day 1: No detailed notes, just "Super rustic and funky."
Day 2: Crazy nose of sandalwood incense, cinnamon, roses, and cherry compote. Dry red cherry, cranberry, and more sandalwood. There was some vegetal / green pepper notes on day 1 that seem to have faded. Crisp, acidic finish with sour cherries, brush, grilled shishito pepper notes, floating into sour citrus and cooked peach, with more spice.
This is the weirdest wine we can remember since we visited the Kaz Winery in 2003.
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6/27/2021 - Daniel___Walsh Likes this wine: 92 Points
Pretty light for a Zinfandel with some floral notes.
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4/17/2021 - VAGenius wrote: 90 Points
Candied cherry and raspberry with white pepper and red pepper notes. Bright palate loaded with cherry, cranberry, and ripe fruits with loads of acid, finishing with medium tannins, clay, and a soft, loamy style. A very different take on Zinfandel.
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3/21/2021 - PIntag wrote:
14.0% abv.
Interesting takes on this Zin and I have to say that it deserves to be controversial. This showed bright, slightly tart red fruit with relatively low ripeness. Fairly light-bodied but deceptive depth that needs your attention to really get. Flavor profile is indeed claret-like and bears little resemblance to its more fruit-forward brethren like Turley or Carlisle Zins. Very little oak influence. I appreciate the style and enjoyed this, but I was left a little wanting. I think this has the structure to develop and improve for many more years, so I'll probably hang onto my other bottles for at least a year or two before opening another. If scoring now, 88 - 89.
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3/13/2021 - rama Likes this wine:
Decanted 2 hours. Musky flower aromas I typically think of as stem inclusion. Bright fruit frontal attack- a combination of Andersen Valley-esque creaminess and crunchy acidity with some dusty tannin to keep it in harmony and give it length. Delicious. Much more my jam than the 2013 version.
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4/1/2020 - tomlee wrote: 93 Points
Crimson in color. 14% ABV. Sublime nose of jammy red and black fruits, licorice and pepper. Full bodied with mouth watering acidity. Big and jammy but still somewhat rustic. Somehow this Zinfandel threads the needle between modern and Claret in style. Blackberry, black cherry, earth and pepper on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish. Delicious, mountain grown Zin that has the structure and concentration to age well. Best over the next 3-5 years.
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11/2/2019 - aero Likes this wine:
First bottle the cork fell apart and nose was entirely acetate, with a muted palate. Second bottle was bang on: just slight acetate on the nose alongside spice and bramble fruit. Palate shows tart blackberry, spiced red fruit, hints of fresh cut grass, volcanic rock. Wonderfully gritty and mouth coating tannins. Strong acidic backbone.
Did not investigate the winemaking style, but not difficult to guess low intervention and it works. Just slightly backwards and short today, suspect it needs 2-3 years to begin shining.
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