$55 guess from list at Barcelona with Elyse and Adam on 2/12/2024. First bottle before sommelier. $55 — 10 months ago
A beautiful dark ruby robe in the glass. The nose is lush and decadent immediately with blackberry and black cherry aromas. There’s a nice bit of earth and vanilla happening here along with black pepper. Cocoa and old leather are really nice here.
Napa Zinfandel can be many different things to many different people. For me, it’s typically overblown, overdone, and overwrought. Not so this! Smooth with a dash of elegance. There’s a restraint shown here that is uncommon and very welcome. Still quite intense but not overblown with nice balance and weight.
The palate shines with black fruit and more leather. An inherent spiciness kicks up after some time along with tobacco and a touch of oak. A nice, long finish with just a tad of smoke. A very nice wine. — 2 months ago
Wonderful dark color, deep fruit but not fruity, leather and earthy. Big smile after the swallow! — a year ago
Very balanced. — 3 months ago
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days and consistent throughout. The 2015 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core and some slight rim variation. Medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing and beginning to show, some secondary characteristics with a combination of tart, ripe and desiccated, black and red fruits: brambles, cassis, green bell pepper, pipe tobacco, leather, cocoa, organic earth and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The texture is that of a velvet glove. The finish is long and satisfying. Years ago, I cut my teeth on the wines of Ray and Nancy Coursen, especially their Elyse label while their Jacob Franklin label remained elusive to me. It’s clear there is similar DNA. This is a delicious, giving wine that is squarely in its drinking window. Drink now through 2030. — 5 months ago
Stuart Pollack
Rich Merlot tasting like a right-bank Bordeaux. A deep, brooding, earthy Merlot. Very good and an excellent value at $30. — a month ago