Zinfandel

This drinks like an old school Zinfandel.  It took some time to open and then drank quite well.  It is not a fruit bomb.  Deep ruby in color.  Really a very interesting color for a Zinfandel.  On the nose this has nice cherries with a peppery quality to it.  Very concentrated.  On the palate, this is also concentrated.  Layers of cherries, black cherries and warm earth.  Some pepper on the finish.  This is great on its own or with food as well.  Seems like it should last a decade as its "claret" qualities come out.  A pleasure to taste.  Better on day 2.  

Boy, this is in a nice place right now.  Delicious and enjoyable and seems to have put on a bit of weight and showing more complexity than it did on release.  Purple in color, clear and dark.  The nose has nice black cherry fruit with a bit of dust and a bit of bramble.  Slight tannins.  The black cherry fruit continues to the palate.  There is some depth here along with a bit of warm gravelly notes.  Long finish.  This makes easy drinking and was just as good on Day 2.  It is great on its own and will go well with BBQ and other hearty or spicy foods.  Great value!

This was quite good.  It is still young but drinking great.  It should continue to evolve and mature and should be good for another decade and probably more.  Inky purple in color, ruby at the rim.  On the nose, this has nice bramble, black cherry fruit, raspberries, pepper and spice.  A very nice lush texture.  Black cherries on the palate with underlying char and dry earth.  Long finish.  This is delicious and continued to open though it didn't take long to finish the bottle.  Would work well with spicy foods and grilled foods.  

Monte Rosso is one of the top vineyards for California Zinfandel.  Many producers utilize its fruit.  Although it is not my favorite Bedrock Zin, it is an outstanding Zin.  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose has nice cherry and black cherry fruit with some char and spice.  Medium bodied.  It is not a fruit bomb but is not shy either.  Very concentrated black cherry fruit.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  Works well with spicy and hearty foods.  

My favorite Carlisle wine, and that is really saying something.  There is something about this vineyard that just does it.  It has a lot to do with texture although the other aspects are great too.  And every vintage, Mike Officer seems to do better and better though 2016 might be hard to beat.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, black cherries, tobacco and spice.  On the palate, this is lush and enveloping while being precise and concentrated.  Notes of black raspberries and blueberries over a dry tobacco and earth along with a nice peppery quality.  Great balance and a long

Sineann is an Oregon producer but they make wines in many places.  The vines for this wine are almost one hundred years old and are just inside the Washington border.  It is an excellent Zin, that is not full throttle but not shy either.  It ages nicely too.  Purple in color.  The nose has some spice, plenty of cherries and a bit of plums.  On the palate, there is a nice gravelly quality underneath some nice cherry fruit.  It is young and exuberant at the moment but if you prefer a more claret style, this should cruise into that in another ten years.  It will work with meats and peppery foo

Not quite as good as the 2013 but still a very nice value.  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose has dusty plums with slight cherry notes.  On the palate, more tart cherries.  The acidity is very food friendly.  Good finish.  This wine is more simple, one dimensional.  But for under $20, it works well at the dinner table.  It might not make old bones but should easily last five to seven years.  

Inky purple in color.  The nose has black cherries with slight bramble notes.  On the palate, this has a lovely texture.  Silky.  Black cherry fruit with a bit of cocoa on the finish.  There is nice depth here.  Long finish.  This retails for about $18 which is an excellent value.  It won't get better but should drink well for at least five and probably ten years.  It worked well with a slightly gingery squash soup.  

2007 was an excellent year for Zinfandel and the Easton Zins are no exception.  This wine is purple in color.  It has a great nose bordering on a right bank Bordeaux with some age.  Deep with black cherries and some tobacco.  On the palate, it seems to be youthful still but showing some maturity.  Juicy black cherry fruit.  There is a nice complexity here.  Good finish.  Food friendly.  It might not get better but should be here for a while.  

This was the top wine in a comprehensive vertical of Easton Zinfandels.  Purple in color.  What a great nose; deep with black cherry fruit  notes.  On the palate, this is a claret styled Zin.  Deep and a nice complexity.  Wonderful texture.  Lots of black cherry fruit.  Nice finish.  A delicious wine that is drinking great today and should be here for a decade.  Food friendly or great on its own.