Donald Patz

Owner/Winemaker Patz & Hall

9.1

Robert Biale often makes Zinfandels with surprising finesse and energy. They’re delicious and sexy and well balanced. If you don’t think Zinfandel is worth drinking try any of the Robert Biale versions and let me know if you’ve changed your mind. — 10 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Youthful that you can approach now showing black fruits, currant, savory spice, licorice, menthol & tobacco — 18 days ago

Dom Such

9.5

Wow. Yes. Tough vintage, cool year with late heat spike pushing ripeness. This 1999 showed the vintage character well, not a powerhouse but well balanced. Gorgeous layers and nuance from black fruited, pencil graphite, savory tobacco. Impeccable balance on palate with melted tannins and well judged acidity. — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Double decanted two nights before service. The 2006 pours a deep, slightly hazy garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with a mix of desiccated fruit and funky umami notes: bruised and desiccated strawberry, red rope licorice, nori, Cherry Dr. Pepper, cracked black pepper and leather. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is forever long and saline; it just hangs around forever. Initially, this came across as bit backward but it really gained power and character the more time it spent in the glass. Drink now with patience and through 2036. — 16 days ago

Matthew Sparling

9.2

Excellent wine for the price. Almost has a sutle Merlot taste but without the oaky finish. — 8 days ago

Tom Garland

9.3

+1 hour decant(decent chunky/fine sediment). A splendid dark ruby red color. On the nose: Intoxicating/intense nose of black fruit, dark currants, worn leather, forest floor, coffee grounds, minty dark chocolate. Taste: smooth, satiny, structured, balanced wine with chocolate covered brambly blackberry, tobacco, earth, cedar, black pepper, and a herbal licorice long finish. A medium body old world style wine that shows well right now and should continue to provide more years of enjoyable sipping. — 10 days ago

with Brenda

Ron Siegel

9.3

Black fruits showing currant, berry with sweet, savory spice, earth, cedar, leather & wet tobacco — a month ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Black fruits, sweet earth & spice with graphite & tobacco — 3 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

This had black fruits, cassis with cedar, leather, graphite, dried herbs, sweet spice & tobacco — 4 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Nearly 20 years in bottle. It is still ascending will drink well for another 15 days plus years.

From a warm vintage. Beautiful, even toned fruits with elegant earth & amazing lead pencil bloom for days.

This is approaching its peak, another 5 years from its peak.

Well resolved wine-fruits. The fruits are juicy, blackberries, black raspberries, plum skin, dark cherries & slightly, poached strawberries with a highlight of pomegranate. Mocha, dark chocolate, black tea, sandalwood, sandstone, limestone, some mushroom notes, dark, rich turned earth w/ dry leaves, dry tobacco, dry leather, dry herbs, dry stone, caramel notes, dry, withering, dark, purple & red flowers with excellent acidity, balance, tension, structure and finish for days that lasts 90 seconds. — 3 days ago