Very Puglian in its pedigree, this has matured nicely and shows dark brambly fruits that have gone into the dried spectrum. Something faintly volcanic and sooty here, with dusty tannins and a sour berry crunch from the acidity. Lucious and rounded, it's quite versatile with food unlike a lot of Zin.
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this was still a solid wine. No longer the intense fruit and spice from when I tried upon release. Tannins softened and there was enough fruit to enjoy this wine with a nice pizza. Drink up, no reason to hold.
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Its been a while since I've visited a Zin. It felt big and definitely got better after it opened up. But it still seemed a little coarse. Maybe this is a case of younger being better for this wine.
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Mousy and fizzy -- seems like secondary fermentation. Underneath, the fruit is muted and the tannins stiff, so at least I don't feel like I missed too much.
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This bottle showed continued fermentation in the bottle (fizziness) and took what was a nice, cooler climate zinfandel (more balance, less umph). and killed it. Too bad.
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Lovely ruby colour... A bit musty upon opening, but a decanting fixed that completely. Nose had hints of currant and licorice. Short finish, somewhat dry with only minimal acid
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The bottle was opened and poured at a restaurant. The wine was fruit forward with good aromatics. The mid-palate was good but not excellent, but the finish was short.
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appealing dark purple color; lighter on the nose than expected with a bit of dark fruit; on the palate, less richness than I remembered from tasting at the winery; seemed somewhat out of balance with more acid than flavor and unexpectedly coarse tannins for an '04; mid-palate angular and unrewarding, finish short and a bit hot; all in all a considerable disappointment; best hope is that the bottle was unrepresentative and the other five in the cellar will remind me of why I bought them; worst case: perhaps I've kept them too long; eoremus
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I really enjoyed this bottle. Had some pinot qualities and I couldn't put the bottle down. My wife had 1 glass and I just about finished the bottle off. One of the best Zins I've had in quite some time...
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Had a touch of effervesence in the initial taste, however that dissipated with some air. Decanted the bottle and it was fine after that.. Not a stellar wine but good with pizza.
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Subtle nose of sharp dense berries. Palate with some brightness up front, dense core of raspberry and strawberries with well integrated oak. Medium finish of average complexity. Overall, a well made balanced wine that doesn't fall into the one dimensional fruit bombs that some make. Enjoyed quite a bit.
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Alcohol: 14.8% Cork Type: Colmated Nose/Bouquet: Very fragrant intriguing aromas of licorice, cedar and black cherries with a hint of earthy truffles. Flavor/Palate: Fermentation that turns away quickly to Dark chocolate and black cherry on the attack with a hint of lemon lime and other citris flavors. Finish: A complex medium body that seems very full, soft harmonius and long lasting dry tannins. Coffee and vanilla Color: deep dark garnet Chill Factor: 54 F Decanter/Breathing time: 60 minutes. Recommend decanting Potential: Could Cellar until 2015, but Wonderfully drinkable upon release, the wine’s firm tannin structure promises it will benefit from aging Food: Good before, during and after dinner. We drank it with a Salad during a Veal dinner. We also drank this by itself. Overall Opinion: This is an Outstanding Zinfadel blend of 88% Zinfandel, 12% Petite Sirah. A terrific palate workout We bought 3 bottles. A dark, muscular wine . Recommended for any cellar veteran. A nice investment. A perfect and extraordinary wine workout. Be sure to stretch it out, otherwise the alcohol will hit you hard like a bear. ;-)
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Wife is an her first red wine kick. She likes the subtler tone of the zins. This is a favorite of mine and hers. Pepper and berries coming thorugh and I love the inky deep purple color. We had it with a quasi-homemade lasagna. I think it might have been the first time we each enjoyed a glass of red together after dinner. Good stuff and a good value. Glas we have more.
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Dark purple and notes of dark and ripe fruit with some pepper. Good fruit structure on the palate, not quite the layers of personality that I like in a full bore zin, but firm and balanced. A good food zin...
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Hints of cedar and strawberry on the nose. A good deal of fruit on the attack (no hint of sweetness), but unfortunately, the tanins overwhelm the fruit on the mid palate.
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Drank w Grgich recipe for Pasta with Kale, Italian Sausage & Red Pepper Flakes. Both were terriffic. The Zin had a nice plum/cherry flavor but lots of pepper and was not overpowered by the zesty meal.
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5/6/2018 - depechemoroder Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very Puglian in its pedigree, this has matured nicely and shows dark brambly fruits that have gone into the dried spectrum. Something faintly volcanic and sooty here, with dusty tannins and a sour berry crunch from the acidity. Lucious and rounded, it's quite versatile with food unlike a lot of Zin.
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2/21/2014 - lovemycab Does not like this wine: 85 Points
Last bottle was enjoyable and tasty, this one didn't have anything left so either it's gone or just a bad one.
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2/9/2014 - lovemycab Likes this wine: 89 Points
this was still a solid wine. No longer the intense fruit and spice from when I tried upon release. Tannins softened and there was enough fruit to enjoy this wine with a nice pizza. Drink up, no reason to hold.
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5/11/2012 - aronaz wrote: 88 Points
Its been a while since I've visited a Zin. It felt big and definitely got better after it opened up. But it still seemed a little coarse. Maybe this is a case of younger being better for this wine.
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9/28/2011 - Firepan wrote: 85 Points
This bottle was okay. Not what I typically expect from a Zin.
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1/12/2011 - will2wine wrote: flawed
Mousy and fizzy -- seems like secondary fermentation. Underneath, the fruit is muted and the tannins stiff, so at least I don't feel like I missed too much.
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3/28/2010 - TheEngineer wrote: flawed
This bottle showed continued fermentation in the bottle (fizziness) and took what was a nice, cooler climate zinfandel (more balance, less umph). and killed it. Too bad.
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11/9/2009 - Honkzap wrote: 90 Points
Lovely ruby colour... A bit musty upon opening, but a decanting fixed that completely. Nose had hints of currant and licorice. Short finish, somewhat dry with only minimal acid
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5/26/2009 - edchi wrote: 89 Points
The bottle was opened and poured at a restaurant. The wine was fruit forward with good aromatics. The mid-palate was good but not excellent, but the finish was short.
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5/26/2009 - Vin Rouge wrote: 89 Points
Nicely balanced Zin. Not too spicy.
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11/16/2008 - MurphyCellar wrote: 90 Points
A big, spicy zin. Wonderful with pasta.
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7/28/2008 - eoremus wrote: 84 Points
appealing dark purple color; lighter on the nose than expected with a bit of dark fruit; on the palate, less richness than I remembered from tasting at the winery; seemed somewhat out of balance with more acid than flavor and unexpectedly coarse tannins for an '04; mid-palate angular and unrewarding, finish short and a bit hot; all in all a considerable disappointment; best hope is that the bottle was unrepresentative and the other five in the cellar will remind me of why I bought them; worst case: perhaps I've kept them too long; eoremus
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7/1/2008 - W.Simons wrote: flawed
Flaw.
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6/17/2008 - Mpoob wrote: 84 Points
Light fruit and a bit tannic.
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5/15/2008 - saleswiz wrote: 92 Points
I really enjoyed this bottle. Had some pinot qualities and I couldn't put the bottle down. My wife had 1 glass and I just about finished the bottle off. One of the best Zins I've had in quite some time...
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4/6/2008 - rjonas wrote: 85 Points
Had a touch of effervesence in the initial taste, however that dissipated with some air. Decanted the bottle and it was fine after that.. Not a stellar wine but good with pizza.
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1/21/2008 - Nutty08 wrote: 89 Points
Subtle nose of sharp dense berries. Palate with some brightness up front, dense core of raspberry and strawberries with well integrated oak. Medium finish of average complexity. Overall, a well made balanced wine that doesn't fall into the one dimensional fruit bombs that some make. Enjoyed quite a bit.
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12/23/2007 - oski wrote: 88 Points
A bit of effervesance upon opening, dark fruit and a bit brooding. Didn't quite gel for me.
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12/3/2007 - unrelenting wrote: 87 Points
not offensive but a blah, uninteresting flavor, possessing nothing compelling. Lighter bodied, low oak zin (a style which I prefer).
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12/1/2007 - WineGym wrote: 96 Points
Alcohol: 14.8%
Cork Type: Colmated
Nose/Bouquet: Very fragrant intriguing aromas of licorice, cedar and black cherries with a hint of earthy truffles.
Flavor/Palate: Fermentation that turns away quickly to Dark chocolate and black cherry on the attack with a hint of lemon lime and other citris flavors.
Finish: A complex medium body that seems very full, soft harmonius and long lasting dry tannins. Coffee and vanilla
Color: deep dark garnet
Chill Factor: 54 F
Decanter/Breathing time: 60 minutes. Recommend decanting
Potential: Could Cellar until 2015, but Wonderfully drinkable upon release, the wine’s firm tannin structure promises it will benefit from aging
Food: Good before, during and after dinner. We drank it with a Salad during a Veal dinner. We also drank this by itself.
Overall Opinion: This is an Outstanding Zinfadel blend of 88% Zinfandel, 12% Petite Sirah. A terrific palate workout
We bought 3 bottles. A dark, muscular wine . Recommended for any cellar veteran. A nice investment. A perfect and extraordinary wine workout. Be sure to stretch it out, otherwise the alcohol will hit you hard like a bear. ;-)
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11/1/2007 - ewineguy wrote: 89 Points
Wife is an her first red wine kick. She likes the subtler tone of the zins. This is a favorite of mine and hers. Pepper and berries coming thorugh and I love the inky deep purple color. We had it with a quasi-homemade lasagna. I think it might have been the first time we each enjoyed a glass of red together after dinner. Good stuff and a good value. Glas we have more.
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10/23/2007 - Tejano wrote:
Dark purple and notes of dark and ripe fruit with some pepper. Good fruit structure on the palate, not quite the layers of personality that I like in a full bore zin, but firm and balanced. A good food zin...
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8/16/2007 - EMichels wrote: 86 Points
K&L Tasting: Medium body; A bit zingy initially but that dies down in the glass; Fresh; 14.5%; Picks up a slight bit of spice on the finish
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7/4/2007 - oz_racer wrote: 88 Points
A good balance of fruity berry flavors and peppery spicy characteristics. Paired well with grilled burgers on 4th July.
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4/3/2007 - DrinkNapa wrote:
Hints of cedar and strawberry on the nose. A good deal of fruit on the attack (no hint of sweetness), but unfortunately, the tanins overwhelm the fruit on the mid palate.
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3/13/2007 - Fluffyruffles wrote: 88 Points
Drank w Grgich recipe for Pasta with Kale, Italian Sausage & Red Pepper Flakes. Both were terriffic. The Zin had a nice plum/cherry flavor but lots of pepper and was not overpowered by the zesty meal.
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