Essential Old Vine California Zinfandel Blend

2011 vintage

Had it a year ago and didn't like it. What a difference of one more year in the bottle...
Dark red ruby in color.

Gorgeous on the nose with dark fruits, vanilla, smoke and black pepper.

Smooth on the palate with blackberries, figs, cherries, peppercorn and spices.

Medium bodied with fat legs.

A tad flat on the finish with flabby tannins and black pepper. A little too acidic, though.

Not as good as the zin. Though it has nice color and nice nose, but it is lacking on the palate.

Black fruits, black cherry, currant, pepper. Some oak presence. Medium + acidity, medium + body, medium tannins. Great value. An everyday drinker. Much better than I thought it was going to be.

Complex

Smooth and silky, big fruit and subtle oak with a slight pepper finish

Great bottle for the price. Needs to open. Has a bit of sweet at the end.

Good, standard, not for special occasions

Decent blend, medium tannins and slight fruitiness. Nothing to write home about but a good value for a random dinner.

Very fruity, a bit boring

One of the dryer blends I've had. Phenomenal cherry nose and flavors appeared after sitting.