Ferrari-Carano
Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel
Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA
Purple red, moderately extracted pigment. Blackberry, mint and eucalyptus notes in nose. Blackberry flavor with hints of strawberry and cherry. Mild astringency, not much seed tannin initially. After 30 minutes, it becomes slightly hot, with flavors of tinny stewed red fruit that overwhelm the initial fresh fruit flavors (though the fresh strawberry persists). A pity, slightly overripe fruit bring a tad much richness to this Zin. A citric-lactic sourness also evolves. 60 minutes after opening, though, a miracle - the flavors all integrate (and the tin can flavor is gone, while a hint of cola emerges). Much tastier and more satisfying. Just have patience... Four hours later, barrel character and smoke come through
Purple red, moderately extracted pigment. Blackberry, mint and eucalyptus notes in nose. Blackberry flavor with hints of strawberry and cherry. Mild astringency, not much seed tannin initially. After 30 minutes, it becomes slightly hot, with flavors of tinny stewed red fruit that overwhelm the initial fresh fruit flavors (though the fresh strawberry persists). A pity, slightly overripe fruit bring a tad much richness to this Zin. A citric-lactic sourness also evolves. 60 minutes after opening, though, a miracle - the flavors all integrate (and the tin can flavor is gone, while a hint of cola emerges). Much tastier and more satisfying. Just have patience... Four hours later, barrel character and smoke come through
Mar 19th, 2019
The Ferrari-Carano Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2012 is an incredibly dark wine, almost black when held to the light. Its appearance led me to expect a gigantic, ripe, imposing, blammo nose to explode in my face like a loaded cigar. What else from a deep, dark Zinfandel? The nose is not at all blustery, though. It is elegant. Blackberry fruit is ripe, to be sure, but the nuances of sage, cinnamon, pepper and basil play lightly across the olfactory nerve endings.
On the palate, the expectations are met. Flavors of black plums, cherries and dark berries don't even try to be subtle. There is black pepper galore and enough minerals to allow me to skip my multi-vitamin in the morning. The juicy acidity needs to be paired with some meat, and fast. A hearty mouthfeel and bold tannins round out a great wine to have with a thick, juicy steak.
The Ferrari-Carano Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2012 is an incredibly dark wine, almost black when held to the light. Its appearance led me to expect a gigantic, ripe, imposing, blammo nose to explode in my face like a loaded cigar. What else from a deep, dark Zinfandel? The nose is not at all blustery, though. It is elegant. Blackberry fruit is ripe, to be sure, but the nuances of sage, cinnamon, pepper and basil play lightly across the olfactory nerve endings.
On the palate, the expectations are met. Flavors of black plums, cherries and dark berries don't even try to be subtle. There is black pepper galore and enough minerals to allow me to skip my multi-vitamin in the morning. The juicy acidity needs to be paired with some meat, and fast. A hearty mouthfeel and bold tannins round out a great wine to have with a thick, juicy steak.
Medium body, fruity with a berry hint. Easy drinking now.
Medium body, fruity with a berry hint. Easy drinking now.
May 13th, 2022
too juicy and uncomplicated for my liking
too juicy and uncomplicated for my liking
Oct 24th, 2017
First time for me and liked it! Thanks Lee!
First time for me and liked it! Thanks Lee!
May 13th, 2017
Starting to get into dry creek's 2013 vintage. The ripeness of this vintage evidenced in the bottle yet very balanced nice tones of blackberry
Starting to get into dry creek's 2013 vintage. The ripeness of this vintage evidenced in the bottle yet very balanced nice tones of blackberry
Mar 12th, 2016
