Opened a bottle and waited two hours. Perfumed, fragrant nose of smoky cherry and baking spice. The palate is mid-to-full weight with delicious sour cherry and nutmeg. The finish is peppery and very long, but there is a bit of heat. Decanted half the bottle overnight. The nose broadened and became fuller. The palate added a touch of lead pencil. The heat was greatly reduced, and the finish was still long and spicy. Very enjoyable, and I will consume the remaining bottles soon.
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Based on prior experience, I popped and tasted, then slow ox’d this in the bottle for 24 hours. What a difference after 24 hours. Beautifully integrated, luscious, lovely wine. My last bottle. Lesson - don’t give up on old zins
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Found a couple of bottles at the back of the cellar. Having had some experiencewith older Jackass Zin's, I decanted and left it inn the cellar for 24 hours. Good move. Well integrated, flamboyant wine with beautifully sweet fruit - just lovely. I drank this alongside barbecued baby back ribs - a perfect match. Definitely some life left in this wine.
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Enjoyed over two nights, better the second night by far, nose of blackberry, raspberry, earth, and heat, more of the same on the palate, tasty but overripe fruit, medium/big body, and medium/long finish.
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Found this behind some other wines in cellar. Perfect condition and drinking beautifully. Ripe plums, dark raspberries, fig and silky smooth. As good as zin gets!
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At home. Dark color with only slight browning. Sweet, ripe, briary, brambly fruit in the nose. Big, bold, ripe (some would say overripe) fruit on the palate. Alcohol much in evidence as well. I'm sure I like these wines a lot better in their youth. 5-10-11-4: 80/100.
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Sadly, this is over the hill. None of the exuberant fruit that was typical of previous Martinelli zins. This Jackass is a mere shell of the wine it used to be. Recognizable as a zinfandel but not much more than that. Some aromas of spice and black fruits, not much on the palate and the finish is minimal. Wife thought we were drinking a $15 zin and I must agree that was my impression as well.
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Not the greatest bottle of wine, and this from a fan of Martinelli. It had elements of interest, but it was hard to identify this as a Zinfandel. Berry, jam, grassy/citrus notes. Definitely not a typical Martinelli Zinfandel--missing anything overripe or pruney or raisin-y or port-like. Interesting, relatively enjoyable in the moment, but far from a great bottle of wine. (PE: 85)
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Popped and poured. Bright burst of raspberry on the nose, followed by herbal aromas. On the palate, plenty of acidity and bright berry flavors, with some tannic bite still and a lead pencil finish. Not raisiny, but a big burly wine that needs some serious food. This wine is not fading yet, but won't improve with time either. A tad short on the finish, with some heat at the back.
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interesting wine. it was very mellow with all the zin flavors mellowed out. Kind of like a faded t-shirt. There was not much structure all. have to think it is past its peak.
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14.9% alcohol. Opened and served immediately. Dark purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Truly bizarre nose for a Zinfandel with herbal notes, lychee, potpourri and menthol. Simple and straightforward fruits on the palate. Light acidity, resolved tannins, medium body. Drink now. I'd rate this wine pretty doggone low but all of the Martinelli sycophants would come out of the woodwork and berate me that I had an off bottle so I'll just decline rating it right up front.
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Dark cranberry color, medium saturated. On the nose raspberry sorbet, chocolate, and hints of sage and mint. The tannins are a tad dry but relatively well integrated with the acidity, which gives it good lift. Medium bodied with an earthy, brambly dark berry quality. Not an overheated blockbuster, but rather subdued with a dried cranberry/menthol medium-to-short finish that unfortunately leaves the fruit behind with the pepper and oak lingering. Ready for drinking, as this seems about as good as it will get. This is a tasty wine, food friendly, but of course the QPR will be questionable. 3 days later the blueberry was just singing. Score amended slightly upwards.
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Not decanted - popped and poured. Dark purple in color - clear on the edges. Great nose - typically distinctive nose for this vineyard - ripe berries and spice, with a streak of grapefruit. Similar to the nose on the palate - leans a little more to the dark fruit side, but full of ripe, exuberant black and red fruit, with a little earthiness and the tell-tale (to me) streak of acidity which always feels like grapefruit. Long, powerful finish with lots of bright fruit. The only drawback is a slight bitterness which is present, which keeps the wine from feeling completely in balance. Still a great bottle of zin for drinking now, and doesn't seem in danger of falling apart any time soon. Classic Jackass zin - lively, fruity, powerful mouthful of zinfandel.
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More restrained than most Jackass. Extremely well balanced and not hot at all. Still lots of berry fruit and the Jackass earthiness. Nice surprise, too bad it is my last one.
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Fat Tuesday at the Haggis House: Otis brought this wine. I'm not a Zin guy but this was very nice. I've had the Jackass Hill but never the Jackass Vineyard as far as I can recall. A little too woody to put it in the outstanding category for me but it had some interesting character. Notes of anise, grape seed oil and blackberry. A forward wine which had a short to medium length finish. 88-89 points.
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Very distinctive, recognizable nose - bright red fruit surrounded by notes of grapefruit. Every Jackass zin I've had has had this same note of grapefruit. On the palate, just a ton of fruit - notes of chocolate, spice, plums - along with the distinctive grapefruit notes. Not a hint of heat or alcohol. Long, fruity, precise finish. Overall, very fruity, very complex, everything in balance right now - I think we caught this wine at a perfect time.
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Sampled at a blind tasting of seven zins. The group voted this the best nose of the night. It had a gorgeous magnolia blossom - framboise thing going on. The wine is rather syrupy and sticky, and lacks the adequate structure for all its ripe fruit. But it is still a big alcohol-powered jet-boat of a wine. I ranked it as my #2, because it is a nice example of the hedonistic style of zinfandel (even if it slightly overreaches).
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1/7/2019 - ScottPreston wrote: 94 Points
Drinking perfectly. Needed about 30 minutes. About as perfect as Zin gets.
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9/5/2018 - myofin Likes this wine: 94 Points
Opened a bottle and waited two hours. Perfumed, fragrant nose of smoky cherry and baking spice. The palate is mid-to-full weight with delicious sour cherry and nutmeg. The finish is peppery and very long, but there is a bit of heat.
Decanted half the bottle overnight. The nose broadened and became fuller. The palate added a touch of lead pencil. The heat was greatly reduced, and the finish was still long and spicy.
Very enjoyable, and I will consume the remaining bottles soon.
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8/22/2018 - peterk Likes this wine:
Based on prior experience, I popped and tasted, then slow ox’d this in the bottle for 24 hours. What a difference after 24 hours. Beautifully integrated, luscious, lovely wine. My last bottle. Lesson - don’t give up on old zins
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2/25/2017 - peterk wrote: 93 Points
Found a couple of bottles at the back of the cellar. Having had some experiencewith older Jackass Zin's, I decanted and left it inn the cellar for 24 hours. Good move. Well integrated, flamboyant wine with beautifully sweet fruit - just lovely. I drank this alongside barbecued baby back ribs - a perfect match. Definitely some life left in this wine.
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8/30/2015 - veniceslug1 Likes this wine: 94 Points
still drinking well. complex. not hot. black fruit and some age notes. beautifully balanced.
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8/7/2014 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 88 Points
Enjoyed over two nights, better the second night by far, nose of blackberry, raspberry, earth, and heat, more of the same on the palate, tasty but overripe fruit, medium/big body, and medium/long finish.
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7/18/2014 - peterk wrote:
Upon opening, dominated by heat. A day later the same. will try again tomorrow... Next day: fruit all gone, still hot - down the drain
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12/18/2013 - BGK810 wrote: 95 Points
Found this behind some other wines in cellar. Perfect condition and drinking beautifully. Ripe plums, dark raspberries, fig and silky smooth. As good as zin gets!
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12/4/2011 - peterk wrote:
Over the hill!
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9/12/2011 - twoamps wrote: 91 Points
mellow but still big and round and full zin. Not too old, mellowed nicely. good fruit, long lingering tannins
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12/22/2010 - MicklethePickle Does not like this wine: 80 Points
At home. Dark color with only slight browning. Sweet, ripe, briary, brambly fruit in the nose. Big, bold, ripe (some would say overripe) fruit on the palate. Alcohol much in evidence as well. I'm sure I like these wines a lot better in their youth. 5-10-11-4: 80/100.
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8/8/2010 - vinocerus wrote:
Sadly, this is over the hill. None of the exuberant fruit that was typical of previous Martinelli zins. This Jackass is a mere shell of the wine it used to be. Recognizable as a zinfandel but not much more than that. Some aromas of spice and black fruits, not much on the palate and the finish is minimal. Wife thought we were drinking a $15 zin and I must agree that was my impression as well.
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5/14/2010 - buckeye76 wrote: 91 Points
LICORICE, BLACK CHERRIES, AND HERBAL NOTES IN THE NOSE. JAMMY FRUIT IN THE FLAVOR WITH BLACKBERRIES AND BLACK CHERRIES. NICE LEGS AND A LONG FINISH.
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5/9/2010 - keithgg wrote: 89 Points
In good shape and far more balanced and understated than the typical Martinelli Zins.
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4/7/2010 - shaferguy91 wrote: flawed
DOA. Poured down the drain.
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3/11/2010 - MarkC wrote: 75 Points
Not the greatest bottle of wine, and this from a fan of Martinelli. It had elements of interest, but it was hard to identify this as a Zinfandel. Berry, jam, grassy/citrus notes. Definitely not a typical Martinelli Zinfandel--missing anything overripe or pruney or raisin-y or port-like. Interesting, relatively enjoyable in the moment, but far from a great bottle of wine. (PE: 85)
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12/12/2009 - Deb293 wrote: 88 Points
Popped and poured. Bright burst of raspberry on the nose, followed by herbal aromas. On the palate, plenty of acidity and bright berry flavors, with some tannic bite still and a lead pencil finish. Not raisiny, but a big burly wine that needs some serious food. This wine is not fading yet, but won't improve with time either. A tad short on the finish, with some heat at the back.
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5/23/2009 - rjonwine@gmail.com wrote: 78 Points
Mature, earthy, black fruit and roasted berry nose; tart, very disjointed, over-the-hill; short-medium finish
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10/17/2008 - spts1000 wrote: 87 Points
interesting wine. it was very mellow with all the zin flavors mellowed out. Kind of like a faded t-shirt. There was not much structure all. have to think it is past its peak.
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9/17/2008 - wineismylife wrote:
Dallas 2nd Wednesday - September 2008 (Amici's in Carollton, TX): WIMLNR
Tasted September 17, 2008 at an offline.
14.9% alcohol. Opened and served immediately. Dark purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Truly bizarre nose for a Zinfandel with herbal notes, lychee, potpourri and menthol. Simple and straightforward fruits on the palate. Light acidity, resolved tannins, medium body. Drink now. I'd rate this wine pretty doggone low but all of the Martinelli sycophants would come out of the woodwork and berate me that I had an off bottle so I'll just decline rating it right up front.
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8/9/2008 - Amerique wrote: 90 Points
surprisingly not as over-ripe as I would have expected, rich, smooth, mixed berry fruit, little short finish, soft
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7/20/2008 - Deb293 wrote: 90 Points
Dark cranberry color, medium saturated. On the nose raspberry sorbet, chocolate, and hints of sage and mint. The tannins are a tad dry but relatively well integrated with the acidity, which gives it good lift. Medium bodied with an earthy, brambly dark berry quality. Not an overheated blockbuster, but rather subdued with a dried cranberry/menthol medium-to-short finish that unfortunately leaves the fruit behind with the pepper and oak lingering. Ready for drinking, as this seems about as good as it will get. This is a tasty wine, food friendly, but of course the QPR will be questionable. 3 days later the blueberry was just singing. Score amended slightly upwards.
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8/12/2007 - mike l. wrote: 89 Points
fairly standard zin, lost in the mix after so many wines
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5/15/2007 - Greg W wrote: 92 Points
Not decanted - popped and poured. Dark purple in color - clear on the edges. Great nose - typically distinctive nose for this vineyard - ripe berries and spice, with a streak of grapefruit. Similar to the nose on the palate - leans a little more to the dark fruit side, but full of ripe, exuberant black and red fruit, with a little earthiness and the tell-tale (to me) streak of acidity which always feels like grapefruit. Long, powerful finish with lots of bright fruit. The only drawback is a slight bitterness which is present, which keeps the wine from feeling completely in balance. Still a great bottle of zin for drinking now, and doesn't seem in danger of falling apart any time soon. Classic Jackass zin - lively, fruity, powerful mouthful of zinfandel.
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6/24/2006 - kirbych wrote: 92 Points
More restrained than most Jackass. Extremely well balanced and not hot at all. Still lots of berry fruit and the Jackass earthiness. Nice surprise, too bad it is my last one.
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6/20/2006 - dbg wrote:
excellent
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3/1/2006 - Vino Me wrote: 89 Points
Fat Tuesday at the Haggis House: Otis brought this wine. I'm not a Zin guy but this was very nice. I've had the Jackass Hill but never the Jackass Vineyard as far as I can recall. A little too woody to put it in the outstanding category for me but it had some interesting character. Notes of anise, grape seed oil and blackberry. A forward wine which had a short to medium length finish. 88-89 points.
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2/28/2006 - otisabdul wrote: 89 Points
Fruit is starting to recede a bit. Becoming spicier, with more prominent acidity. Drink up.
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4/27/2005 - Greg W wrote: 93 Points
Very distinctive, recognizable nose - bright red fruit surrounded by notes of grapefruit. Every Jackass zin I've had has had this same note of grapefruit. On the palate, just a ton of fruit - notes of chocolate, spice, plums - along with the distinctive grapefruit notes. Not a hint of heat or alcohol. Long, fruity, precise finish. Overall, very fruity, very complex, everything in balance right now - I think we caught this wine at a perfect time.
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9/3/2004 - otisabdul wrote: 91 Points
Sampled at a blind tasting of seven zins. The group voted this the best nose of the night. It had a gorgeous magnolia blossom - framboise thing going on. The wine is rather syrupy and sticky, and lacks the adequate structure for all its ripe fruit. But it is still a big alcohol-powered jet-boat of a wine. I ranked it as my #2, because it is a nice example of the hedonistic style of zinfandel (even if it slightly overreaches).
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