Doug Powers

9.1

Classic old vines Contra Costa Zinfandel, brambly, spicy, rich yet not heavy, some heat (15.2%), but it really tastes great with homemade pizza, even in high-90s heat here in NorCal!! — 6 days ago

with Jim

Tom Kobylarz

9.4

Slow ox for 3 hours. Deep ruby, still ruby edges. The pronounced nose was loaded with spices, olives, smoke, smoked meat, anise, clove, peppercorns, mostly tertiary dark red fruits, dried crushed violets. The palate was med+ bodied, medium grain tannin were a tad chewy and grainy, an intense but elegantly persistent palate. A long, spicy finish showed subtle fruit with the tannins showing a touch grainy/chewy and not as integrated here. Still a beauty, though not sure the tannin will resolve at this point. — 2 months ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Ruby in color with a wide reddish/brick rim.

Fruit forward on the nose and medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing sweet cherries, raspberries, blueberries, black currants, plums, chocolates, light oak, earth, cola, herbs, spices, light vanilla, licorice, peppercorn and tobacco leaf.

Nice tangy finish with soft tannins.

This 6-year-old Zinfandel blend from Sonoma County is drinking at its peak. Spicy and fruit forward. Elegant and juicy.

Great right out of the bottle, but even better after a few hours of air, when the complexity really comes to life.

The alcohol is very nicely integrated by now. Easy drinking and nicely balanced. A great sipping wine.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$35. — 3 months ago

Michael

9.0

Quite good for the price. Perfectly fruity / Jammy — 13 days ago

Shay A

9.4

My contribution to a large Rhône dinner. Standouts were ‘07 Chapoutier Le Meal Blanc, ‘89 and ‘90 Jaboulet La Chappelle, ‘11 Guigal La Mouline.

An over-generalization, but what I love about Cornas is the rusticity and sometimes feral nature of the wines (which I don’t find in Hermitage or CR) and this ‘05 is in that vein. I followed this from pop (after all, we are at the almost 20yr mark) and over the course of three hours.

Interplay of red and black berry fruits, black pepper, slightly herbal (maybe closer to potpurri floral) aromatically. Bright and nimble on the palate, nothing about this is ripe or soft. Energetic acidity all the way through surrounded by notes of iron (sanguine-like) and rocky minerality. Crunchy red and black fruits (whole-cluster?), hint of gaminess but not in the meaty-style I semi-expected. Clean and pure style of Syrah. Big structure at the finish…hard to imagine drinking this 10+yrs ago. Acidity and tannin will carry this a long time, but I think this is peak window for getting depth of fruit and complexity. — 2 months ago

Zack

9.0

Fruity but not sweet — 3 months ago

Mark

9.4

Dark dark ruby color, very intense. Great yeast nose with crisp berry fruit flavor. The tannins are well balanced and enjoyable. Paired it with a marinated ribeye and baked potato. — 2 months ago

with Jeron and Jessica

John Malcolm

9.4

A delicious, full-bodied wine. Tasting dark chocolate, black cherries, cedar, and raspberry jam. Silky and smooth with a long, satisfying finish. — 3 months ago

Kelley Raymond

9.4

The William James winery - not too fruity and well balanced — 3 months ago

Louis Martin

9.3

Delicious, full bodied, semi-sweet, paired wonderfully with a fatty Wagyu steak. Duckhorn is known for their Merlots for a reason. — 3 months ago