A bit too over the top, overly extracted style for us yet the fruit quality is outstanding and there's plenty of fun in this bottle along the lines of adult version of Knotts Berry Farm jam. The 15.8% alc is scarier in writing than in execution, which is a good thing for sure.
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This wine had everything you can ask for in a zinfandel. Great body with a mouthful of flavor. My only regret is this is the last bottle of this wine in the house.
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Really enjoyed this. Thick, unctuous, tongue-coating and jammy. Brambly and a little wild, with hints of roasted red meat and dark red plumbs, blackberries and next to zero tannins. Very representative of the Martinelli style. I wish I had a case.
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3rd and final bottle of this outstanding, fruit forward zin. See my previous tasting note for details. This one was just as delicious and just as well received as the previous bottles. Wish I had bought a case...
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This was our 2nd bottle of this delicious, very fruit forward, jammy zinfandel. It has lush, mouth-filling ripe red and black fruit on the attack with just a hint of pepper or spice on the mid-palate. Surprisingly, the 15.8% AVV is not at all overwhelming, and it may be what allows the ripe fruit to shine through without its lingering sweetness being overbearing. The finish is nice and long with a lingering sugary note that reminds me of an aftertaste you might get after eating a beautifully ripe strawberry sprinkled with just a touch of sugar. This was very well received by just about everyone and a few fans of jammy zins raved about it. I'm sad that we only have 1 bottle left, because this is a very enjoyable drinker on its own, and it would also go amazingly well with spicy/smoky BBQ, pizza, or similar fare.
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Nearer release this wine was drinking well, but now it is really dropping off almost to the point of being flawed. It is a disjointed, sweet, fruity, flabby wine. Loved it before, not now. Drinkable at best. Great spaghetti sauce wine for cooking.
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Medium color (almost looks like a pinot) with candied red fruit on the finish. Alcohol level is masked with a bright finish that went well with my baked chicken and sweet potato dinner.
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Delicious. Jammy with dark fruits, very ripe plums and strawberry jam. Almost seems to have a residual sweetness. An unctuous, almost oily mouthfeel. I wish I had a case.
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Delicious. Jammy with dark, ripe fruit. Almost as if it has a touch of residual sweetness. An unctuous, almost oily mouthfeel. Finishes long and smooth. I wish I had a case. The wine looks Purple colored. The legs are Slow. It smells like Strawberry Jam, and Plum. The body is Full. The wine has Polished texture. The wine finishes Long.
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Good pizza or BBQ wine. Super jammy to the point of tasting sweet (although residual sugars are low). A bit too hot on both nose and palate for me, but still very nice.
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Purple in color, with aromas of fresh red berries. The flavor is dominated by the 15.8% ABV, although more in a high-alcohol ripe fruit/(seems sweet) way than a too hot way. However, the berry flavors are balanced with the tannins and acidity. Overall a quality zin, if you prefer a super-ripe not so jammy style.
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Honeymoon Wine Tasting; 6/25/2012-7/3/2012 (California - Napa & Sonoma Counties): Tasted at Winery. Lighter than a typical zinfandel, with aromas of blackberry and red berries. Flavors of bright fresh red/black berries combine with firm acidity to balance out the fruit, although it does come across as slightly tart. The finish is long. Great zin for the price, without too much jam.
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Lots of jammy fruit and certainly ready to drink, but I thought it finished hot, which I attribute to the 15.8% alcohol level. But for the hot finish, I would have rated higher.
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The color was an inky purple. The bright cherry and blackberry fruit was mouth-coating. Tannins were well-integrated. This wine had a fairly long finish and was excellent.
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Lovely ruby with plenty of glycerine in the legs. This wine is all about spice, especially pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon stick. Very sweet fruit; residual sugar? Very suave and stylish, with a beautiful long finish of great complexity. 4-11-17-8: 90/100.
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Very decent bottle of wine. Loads of cherries and strawberries. Almost candy-like, but not in an overdone, extracted kind of way. No heat and mild tannins. Enjoyed.
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Dark cherries, blueberries, light tanins, evident fruit. This wine is drinking exceptionally well right now. This could cellar for at least three years though without much loss of character.
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Good, if somewhat heady, bottle of basic zin. Not real heavy which was nice, with lots of yummy red and blue fruits. A bit hot on the finish. A decent casual drink that would go well with pizza or anything on the grill.
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This Zinfandel was a black pepper bomb. It had dark fruits with heavy black pepper, and tobacco. It had big tannins. I thought it was interesting and surprising the black pepper, fruit, tannins and acidity were balanced. I felt it was a B+.
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Dark and dense. Concentrated berry jam/reduction on the nose. Port like in the mouth. Alcohol comes through at the end. I understand if people LOVE this wine, however its just too over the top for me.
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4/30/2021 - IAmVintage wrote: 92 Points
A bit too over the top, overly extracted style for us yet the fruit quality is outstanding and there's plenty of fun in this bottle along the lines of adult version of Knotts Berry Farm jam. The 15.8% alc is scarier in writing than in execution, which is a good thing for sure.
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4/7/2019 - Spar Likes this wine: 94 Points
Simply stunning. Such depth. Smooth, but powerful, with fig and dark cherry and a steel backbone. A great surprise in the cellar!
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2/10/2018 - Life is good Likes this wine: 96 Points
This wine had everything you can ask for in a zinfandel. Great body with a mouthful of flavor. My only regret is this is the last bottle of this wine in the house.
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11/26/2017 - opso888@gmail.com wrote: 90 Points
Sweet fruits.
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4/8/2017 - dfcrutcher wrote: 90 Points
Very nice Zin, with smooth classic Zin fruit. Nice mouthfeel without being overly fruity. Solid. No hurry to drink, but probably won't get any better.
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1/15/2017 - bambam Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking really well now. Not over the top in any way, fruit is still showing well. Enjoyed.
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1/13/2017 - tcdonovan wrote: 93 Points
Excellent still and with Thai food
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5/22/2016 - Jkuryak Likes this wine:
Solid zin. Maybe waited use a bit too long.
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11/22/2015 - doug81 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Sweet citrus nose, fruit toward and sweet jam with a long finish on the back palate; excellent by itself!
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3/5/2015 - TwoSmoochies wrote: 87 Points
I found it to be undrinkable but my SO merely labeled it "overly ripe". I'm not afraid of big zins but this was an overblown jam bomb
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9/12/2014 - gavinesq Likes this wine: 94 Points
Really enjoyed this. Thick, unctuous, tongue-coating and jammy. Brambly and a little wild, with hints of roasted red meat and dark red plumbs, blackberries and next to zero tannins. Very representative of the Martinelli style. I wish I had a case.
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8/10/2014 - Terramare Likes this wine: 96 Points
An amazing "big California-style" Zin in all of its glory. Wish we had more on hand.
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6/7/2014 - TwoSmoochies wrote: 85 Points
Over-ripe
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1/31/2014 - JSolo Likes this wine: 92 Points
Consistent over 2 dates.
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9/17/2013 - aidyl Likes this wine: 94 Points
3rd and final bottle of this outstanding, fruit forward zin. See my previous tasting note for details. This one was just as delicious and just as well received as the previous bottles. Wish I had bought a case...
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9/6/2013 - aidyl Likes this wine: 93 Points
This was our 2nd bottle of this delicious, very fruit forward, jammy zinfandel. It has lush, mouth-filling ripe red and black fruit on the attack with just a hint of pepper or spice on the mid-palate. Surprisingly, the 15.8% AVV is not at all overwhelming, and it may be what allows the ripe fruit to shine through without its lingering sweetness being overbearing. The finish is nice and long with a lingering sugary note that reminds me of an aftertaste you might get after eating a beautifully ripe strawberry sprinkled with just a touch of sugar. This was very well received by just about everyone and a few fans of jammy zins raved about it. I'm sad that we only have 1 bottle left, because this is a very enjoyable drinker on its own, and it would also go amazingly well with spicy/smoky BBQ, pizza, or similar fare.
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8/3/2013 - Steve Brickley Does not like this wine: 82 Points
Nearer release this wine was drinking well, but now it is really dropping off almost to the point of being flawed. It is a disjointed, sweet, fruity, flabby wine. Loved it before, not now. Drinkable at best. Great spaghetti sauce wine for cooking.
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6/16/2013 - TwoSmoochies wrote: 87 Points
Very jammy...almost cooked
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5/27/2013 - VoteferPedro wrote: 93 Points
Agree with Gavinesq
It needed an hour of air to reach its jammy peak
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2/24/2013 - Mscruggs wrote: 89 Points
Medium Garnet in color with brary nose and a strawberry finish with a slight hint of sweetness.
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2/4/2013 - Mscruggs Likes this wine: 90 Points
Medium color (almost looks like a pinot) with candied red fruit on the finish. Alcohol level is masked with a bright finish that went well with my baked chicken and sweet potato dinner.
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12/8/2012 - Mscruggs Likes this wine: 91 Points
Bright red fruit, a slight sweetness on the finish
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12/8/2012 - gavinesq wrote: 93 Points
Delicious. Jammy with dark fruits, very ripe plums and strawberry jam. Almost seems to have a residual sweetness. An unctuous, almost oily mouthfeel. I wish I had a case.
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12/8/2012 - gavinesq Likes this wine: 93 Points
Delicious. Jammy with dark, ripe fruit. Almost as if it has a touch of residual sweetness. An unctuous, almost oily mouthfeel. Finishes long and smooth. I wish I had a case.
The wine looks Purple colored. The legs are Slow. It smells like Strawberry Jam, and Plum. The body is Full. The wine has Polished texture. The wine finishes Long.
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11/3/2012 - Scharin wrote: 88 Points
Good pizza or BBQ wine. Super jammy to the point of tasting sweet (although residual sugars are low). A bit too hot on both nose and palate for me, but still very nice.
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9/30/2012 - SStrohm wrote: 91 Points
Really enjoyed this one. Deep purple, red berry flavors, and a little peppery.
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8/11/2012 - GoBlue2002 wrote: 90 Points
Purple in color, with aromas of fresh red berries. The flavor is dominated by the 15.8% ABV, although more in a high-alcohol ripe fruit/(seems sweet) way than a too hot way. However, the berry flavors are balanced with the tannins and acidity. Overall a quality zin, if you prefer a super-ripe not so jammy style.
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7/8/2012 - tcdonovan wrote: 90 Points
Great for BBQ. It is fruity and a little sweet
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6/29/2012 - GoBlue2002 wrote: 93 Points
Honeymoon Wine Tasting; 6/25/2012-7/3/2012 (California - Napa & Sonoma Counties): Tasted at Winery. Lighter than a typical zinfandel, with aromas of blackberry and red berries. Flavors of bright fresh red/black berries combine with firm acidity to balance out the fruit, although it does come across as slightly tart. The finish is long. Great zin for the price, without too much jam.
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6/24/2012 - bunkie wrote: 88 Points
Jammy nice wine. Enjoyed with peppery dinner. Drank at cellar temp.....
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6/18/2012 - Bigchoccy wrote: 88 Points
Lots of jammy fruit and certainly ready to drink, but I thought it finished hot, which I attribute to the 15.8% alcohol level. But for the hot finish, I would have rated higher.
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5/5/2012 - chuckreece wrote: 84 Points
Oh sweetness. Thou art too present.
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4/15/2012 - Charhope wrote: 85 Points
Good bottle of wine with burst of pure deliciousness, yet almost too sweet of a finish.
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4/5/2012 - stantheman Likes this wine: 93 Points
The color was an inky purple. The bright cherry and blackberry fruit was mouth-coating. Tannins were well-integrated. This wine had a fairly long finish and was excellent.
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3/16/2012 - bunkie wrote: 90 Points
Drinking nicely now. Jammy.
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1/29/2012 - DMerrill wrote: 90 Points
Delicious and jammy. This one has definitely improved since last tasting...soft and supple.
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11/10/2011 - MicklethePickle wrote: 90 Points
Lovely ruby with plenty of glycerine in the legs. This wine is all about spice, especially pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon stick. Very sweet fruit; residual sugar? Very suave and stylish, with a beautiful long finish of great complexity. 4-11-17-8: 90/100.
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10/2/2011 - Skip4wine wrote: 90 Points
A good bottle of Zin but not the depth of fruit typical from Martilelli.
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9/19/2011 - Drankthewholebottle wrote: 90 Points
I thought it was better now than at the winery when first released, seems to have calmed down just a bit.
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7/15/2011 - boreddoughboy wrote: 88 Points
Heavy juice. Overloaded with ripe concentraited fruit. Might be bordering on syrup. Nice stuff.
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5/12/2011 - jsulliv wrote: 87 Points
Very decent bottle of wine. Loads of cherries and strawberries. Almost candy-like, but not in an overdone, extracted kind of way. No heat and mild tannins. Enjoyed.
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2/3/2011 - Steve Brickley Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark cherries, blueberries, light tanins, evident fruit. This wine is drinking exceptionally well right now. This could cellar for at least three years though without much loss of character.
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12/27/2010 - mmurmac wrote: 90 Points
sweet and cobblerish. Definately approachable. But be careful, its a hangover inducer!!!
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11/12/2010 - cadamson wrote: 88 Points
Good, if somewhat heady, bottle of basic zin. Not real heavy which was nice, with lots of yummy red and blue fruits. A bit hot on the finish. A decent casual drink that would go well with pizza or anything on the grill.
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9/14/2010 - tp096255 wrote: 92 Points
COLOR:
NOTE: No notes, but this was a great Zin. I remember "brambly elegance."
DECANT:
GLASS USED: Bordeaux
TASTE: 9.2+
COST: 30
VALUE: 8.0
PREVIOUSLY TASTED:
TRY AGAIN:
PAIRING:
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8/7/2010 - BigBoy_Sonoma wrote: 88 Points
This Zinfandel was a black pepper bomb. It had dark fruits with heavy black pepper, and tobacco. It had big tannins. I thought it was interesting and surprising the black pepper, fruit, tannins and acidity were balanced. I felt it was a B+.
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5/17/2010 - slywka7 wrote: 87 Points
Another big alcohol zin but not as impressive as the Guiseppe and Luisa. Too much heat.
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5/12/2010 - JPV543 wrote: 88 Points
Dark and dense. Concentrated berry jam/reduction on the nose. Port like in the mouth. Alcohol comes through at the end. I understand if people LOVE this wine, however its just too over the top for me.
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4/26/2010 - Berno wrote: 91 Points
Drinking better, in my opinion, than the 2007 G&L. This is scaled back on alcohol, very expressive and a fun wine to drink.
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