A. Rafanelli
Unfiltered Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel
Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA
Presented double-blind; cloudy in the glass, sediment?…almost opaque but not quite. Color a deep ruby with a slightly lighter rim. Aromas of red and dark fruits with baking spice and damp forest floor. On the palate, very generous black and red fruit with baking spice, earth and leather. Apparent use of some new French oak. Medium plus alcohol, medium acid. Tannins are soft and integrated. Long, immensely satisfying finish. Most thought it had 5-10 years of age on it; Napa or Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon. Some thought Southern Rhone…noting that it shared some similarities in profile to Pegau and Rayas (!!!). Everyone swooned with it was revealed to be 2007 Rafanelli Zinfandel. FWIW, this wine has many years ahead of it.
Presented double-blind; cloudy in the glass, sediment?…almost opaque but not quite. Color a deep ruby with a slightly lighter rim. Aromas of red and dark fruits with baking spice and damp forest floor. On the palate, very generous black and red fruit with baking spice, earth and leather. Apparent use of some new French oak. Medium plus alcohol, medium acid. Tannins are soft and integrated. Long, immensely satisfying finish. Most thought it had 5-10 years of age on it; Napa or Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon. Some thought Southern Rhone…noting that it shared some similarities in profile to Pegau and Rayas (!!!). Everyone swooned with it was revealed to be 2007 Rafanelli Zinfandel. FWIW, this wine has many years ahead of it.
Jan 6th, 2021Always consistent. Figs. Eucalyptus. Mint. Just damn good.
Always consistent. Figs. Eucalyptus. Mint. Just damn good.
May 30th, 2017
Wood starting to integrate, finally. Pretty great match for latkes topped with duck confit and molé. Or latkes topped with pork belly confit and picked mustard seeds.
Wood starting to integrate, finally. Pretty great match for latkes topped with duck confit and molé. Or latkes topped with pork belly confit and picked mustard seeds.
Dec 21st, 2014
Always a consistent wine. Absolutely know it will be a good choice
Always a consistent wine. Absolutely know it will be a good choice
Oct 4th, 2014
RAF zin aging well, still has spice and fruit (dark berries) a lot of sediment, but it is an unfiltered wine so that was expected. 2007 on December 31, 2022
RAF zin aging well, still has spice and fruit (dark berries) a lot of sediment, but it is an unfiltered wine so that was expected. 2007 on December 31, 2022
Jan 5th, 2023
Amazing after 14 years / umami and mellowing tannins with delicious Zinfandel fruit.
Amazing after 14 years / umami and mellowing tannins with delicious Zinfandel fruit.
Oct 24th, 2021
At home during the shelter in place.
At home during the shelter in place.
Mar 23rd, 2020
Deep purple color without a trace of brick red. Closed up on the nose except a slight funkiness that is dissipating. Evenly fruity in the mouth with a delicate ness unexpected for a Dy Creek Valley zing from this property. The powerful alcohol is also subdued which allows the fruit and midlife character shine.
Deep purple color without a trace of brick red. Closed up on the nose except a slight funkiness that is dissipating. Evenly fruity in the mouth with a delicate ness unexpected for a Dy Creek Valley zing from this property. The powerful alcohol is also subdued which allows the fruit and midlife character shine.
Nov 2nd, 2018
Very nice Zin with an herbal nose, intergraded berry taste and nice long finish. Excellent with pomegranate braised short ribs.
Very nice Zin with an herbal nose, intergraded berry taste and nice long finish. Excellent with pomegranate braised short ribs.
Jan 4th, 2015