Sourced from multiple estate vineyards throughout Sonoma Valley, this 100% Zinfandel offering includes a substantial (>20%) aliquot of fruit from vines greater than a century old. Aged for 16 months in 35% French oak (25% new) and 65% used American oak, it is a deep ruby wine with an impressive aromatic array that includes dark bramble fruits, morello cherries, bittersweet chocolate, licorice black pepper and eucalyptus. Medium-bodied, freshly acidic, seamlessly alcoholic (14.7%) and with silky tannins, it delivers flavors in line with the aromas, adding notes of dill that can be attributed to the American oak. Dense in the middle and medium in length on the back end, this well-crafted Zin represents excellent value. Enclosed with a Diam 5 cork, this particular bottle was popped, poured and serially tasted over a three-hour period. Give it an hour or more of air if possible. Drink now-2028.
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On the nose ripe dark fruit with spicy notes. Full bodied and robust, showing ample ripe dark fruit with firm tannic grip and beautiful spice. Great pairing with the Filet Mignon at Le Petit Chef restaurant (Celebrity Constellation).
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This wine is a throwback to the style of Zin we first fell in love with in the 1980s: not a fruit bomb, not an alcohol bomb, but nice sturdy fruit with some spice on the finish. Neither overpowering nor timid. Just great. A true testament to the best attributes of the varietal.
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Estate fruit from "Sonoma Valley." 10-139 years old vines. 22% of the blend is from 139 year old Zinfandel vines. Harvest brix: 25.8°. _________
Color: Med-dark ruby. Barely.
Nose: Black cherry, black raspberry, and briar patch spice. Typical of Zinfandel. Then a slap of American oak (smells like pine oil).
Palate: Med-full body. Very good length and balance. Soft tannins, tart acids. 14.7% alc.
Fantastic BBQ wine. One of the best California Zins at $20-22 price point. The St. Francis "Old Vine" Zin, and the Dry Creek "Heritage Vines" Zin are similarly excellent (at the same price).
89-90 pts.
JGH sommelier CMS-III, San Francisco, CA.
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4/21/2024 - joet626 Likes this wine: 90 Points
consistent with other bottles. Very solid zin
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4/4/2024 - TomPersson wrote: 91 Points
Excellent
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11/21/2023 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: 89 Points
Sourced from multiple estate vineyards throughout Sonoma Valley, this 100% Zinfandel offering includes a substantial (>20%) aliquot of fruit from vines greater than a century old. Aged for 16 months in 35% French oak (25% new) and 65% used American oak, it is a deep ruby wine with an impressive aromatic array that includes dark bramble fruits, morello cherries, bittersweet chocolate, licorice black pepper and eucalyptus. Medium-bodied, freshly acidic, seamlessly alcoholic (14.7%) and with silky tannins, it delivers flavors in line with the aromas, adding notes of dill that can be attributed to the American oak. Dense in the middle and medium in length on the back end, this well-crafted Zin represents excellent value. Enclosed with a Diam 5 cork, this particular bottle was popped, poured and serially tasted over a three-hour period. Give it an hour or more of air if possible. Drink now-2028.
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8/4/2023 - JennKrebs Likes this wine: 83 Points
Fine. Good for end of night:)
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6/10/2023 - Henman Likes this wine: 89 Points
On the nose ripe dark fruit with spicy notes. Full bodied and robust, showing ample ripe dark fruit with firm tannic grip and beautiful spice. Great pairing with the Filet Mignon at Le Petit Chef restaurant (Celebrity Constellation).
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4/18/2023 - snarfglk Likes this wine: 89 Points
89+
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4/10/2023 - snarfglk Likes this wine: 90 Points
I sooooo agree with Zinnful; flavor and not an alcohol bomb.
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3/19/2023 - Z1nnfull Likes this wine: 90 Points
This wine is a throwback to the style of Zin we first fell in love with in the 1980s: not a fruit bomb, not an alcohol bomb, but nice sturdy fruit with some spice on the finish. Neither overpowering nor timid. Just great. A true testament to the best attributes of the varietal.
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12/24/2022 - Jobu wrote: 91 Points
Really good Zin for the price. Black cherry, blackberry, and licorice spice.
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11/23/2022 - joet626 Likes this wine: 91 Points
tasty. Nice solid zin
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10/4/2022 - Jon Harrison Likes this wine: 90 Points
Estate fruit from "Sonoma Valley." 10-139 years old vines. 22% of the blend is from 139 year old Zinfandel vines. Harvest brix: 25.8°.
_________
Color: Med-dark ruby. Barely.
Nose: Black cherry, black raspberry, and briar patch spice. Typical of Zinfandel. Then a slap of American oak (smells like pine oil).
Palate: Med-full body. Very good length and balance. Soft tannins, tart acids. 14.7% alc.
Fantastic BBQ wine. One of the best California Zins at $20-22 price point. The St. Francis "Old Vine" Zin, and the Dry Creek "Heritage Vines" Zin are similarly excellent (at the same price).
89-90 pts.
JGH sommelier CMS-III, San Francisco, CA.
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5/15/2022 - joet626 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very good fruit
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3/8/2022 - ayerscb Likes this wine:
Excellent Zin for the price.
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