A. Rafanelli
Unfiltered Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel
Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA
Really surprised and delighted by the freshness and fruit purity on this bottle. Unlike so many Cali zins this doesn’t rely on oak flavor to round out the rough edges - lovely brambly berries and ripe cherries all the way.
Really surprised and delighted by the freshness and fruit purity on this bottle. Unlike so many Cali zins this doesn’t rely on oak flavor to round out the rough edges - lovely brambly berries and ripe cherries all the way.
Dec 28th, 2020
Popped and poured. Drank in a large line up of great wines so no formal notes but this was really good. The 2014 is more red fruited than usual and carries a light touch of Brettanomyces which is somewhat more typical in their Zinfandel. If memory serves me correctly, this vintage was delicious and easy to drink on release. That being said, I am happy to report that it's aging gracefully. I have one remaining bottle that I am in no particular rush to drink.
Popped and poured. Drank in a large line up of great wines so no formal notes but this was really good. The 2014 is more red fruited than usual and carries a light touch of Brettanomyces which is somewhat more typical in their Zinfandel. If memory serves me correctly, this vintage was delicious and easy to drink on release. That being said, I am happy to report that it's aging gracefully. I have one remaining bottle that I am in no particular rush to drink.
Mar 25th, 2020
I've been a fan of this winemaker for more than a year which is good since it took a little while to get an allotment. I'm parting this wine from the (shared in the last several months with a dude who I since parted ways with) association. Too much emotion for Delectable and not-just-my-blog?--oh well. I'm reclaiming something I KNEW I loved before sharing with an (ugh) not-love: A. Rafanelli. This is a dry wine. And the tannins will hit you. And yet...there are things that qualify as dessert I could picture pairing this with?! Okay so I'll avoid any more emotional baloney: this is a dry wine with medium acid, tannins and body. Actually the tannins may be tannin-y plus. But they are mature and integrated. And smooth. The fruit? It is ALL a perfect bowl of blackberries and maybe even red pears with a pinch of allspice. And a clove and nearby someone was brandishing a whole nutmeg. The body is oh so smooth and the fullness of it is medium but hell if you like a Cali cab that beats your mouth up and YELLS what it is then...this may not be for you?! But like a complex love I'm super into this wine. It is nuanced and interesting and...well maybe it is because I'm a zin girl but over the last year or so I've been an A Rafanelli girl. Get on the list!!
I've been a fan of this winemaker for more than a year which is good since it took a little while to get an allotment. I'm parting this wine from the (shared in the last several months with a dude who I since parted ways with) association. Too much emotion for Delectable and not-just-my-blog?--oh well. I'm reclaiming something I KNEW I loved before sharing with an (ugh) not-love: A. Rafanelli. This is a dry wine. And the tannins will hit you. And yet...there are things that qualify as dessert I could picture pairing this with?! Okay so I'll avoid any more emotional baloney: this is a dry wine with medium acid, tannins and body. Actually the tannins may be tannin-y plus. But they are mature and integrated. And smooth. The fruit? It is ALL a perfect bowl of blackberries and maybe even red pears with a pinch of allspice. And a clove and nearby someone was brandishing a whole nutmeg. The body is oh so smooth and the fullness of it is medium but hell if you like a Cali cab that beats your mouth up and YELLS what it is then...this may not be for you?! But like a complex love I'm super into this wine. It is nuanced and interesting and...well maybe it is because I'm a zin girl but over the last year or so I've been an A Rafanelli girl. Get on the list!!
Sep 27th, 2017
Why can't we all make Zinfandel like this? Pure, balanced, herbaceous, but most of all, light on the palate, great acidity, structure. This is one worth seeking out. Perfect with the Lamb Flatbread and Hummus.
Why can't we all make Zinfandel like this? Pure, balanced, herbaceous, but most of all, light on the palate, great acidity, structure. This is one worth seeking out. Perfect with the Lamb Flatbread and Hummus.
4 people found it helpfulNov 27th, 2016Popped and poured. Judging from this bottle and a few others that I have had the pleasure to try, I would have to say these 2014's are already in outstanding form. If there is a single word that best describes this vintage of Rafanelli's Zinfandel, it has got to be "balance". I mean, everything seems to be in the right place and in the right amounts. I think these are going to be very fun to drink over the next 10-15 years and I'm looking forward to their evolution. Drink now or Hold.
Popped and poured. Judging from this bottle and a few others that I have had the pleasure to try, I would have to say these 2014's are already in outstanding form. If there is a single word that best describes this vintage of Rafanelli's Zinfandel, it has got to be "balance". I mean, everything seems to be in the right place and in the right amounts. I think these are going to be very fun to drink over the next 10-15 years and I'm looking forward to their evolution. Drink now or Hold.
2 people found it helpfulApr 5th, 2017
For decades this have been one of my all time favorite Zins. It rarely disappoints. Such a classic nose. Sultry spicy and ripe blackberry. Nice gravelly notes, which I associate with Dry Creek. Big and kind of masculine in the mouth, but not in a jammy sense, more like a structured sense. Fair amount of tannin and a very clingy, intense finish. Full body, with the 14.7 fairly well, but not completely, hidden. Excellent
For decades this have been one of my all time favorite Zins. It rarely disappoints. Such a classic nose. Sultry spicy and ripe blackberry. Nice gravelly notes, which I associate with Dry Creek. Big and kind of masculine in the mouth, but not in a jammy sense, more like a structured sense. Fair amount of tannin and a very clingy, intense finish. Full body, with the 14.7 fairly well, but not completely, hidden. Excellent
1 person found it helpfulMar 8th, 2020This is in such a killer place right now. In my mind, this bottle proves what Zinfandel is capable of. I detect a small touch of Brett but only just. Anyway, it works whether intended or not. This example is not your jammy-style of Zinfandel.
This is in such a killer place right now. In my mind, this bottle proves what Zinfandel is capable of. I detect a small touch of Brett but only just. Anyway, it works whether intended or not. This example is not your jammy-style of Zinfandel.
1 person found it helpfulFeb 8th, 2019
Very tasty, especially the second bottle!
Very tasty, especially the second bottle!
Mar 5th, 2017Outstanding...and more more to come.
Outstanding...and more more to come.
Nov 22nd, 2016