Morisoli Vineyard Rutherford Zinfandel

This is my last bottle of this. Judging by this wine, 2011 was a great, not problematic, vintage. (Of course it wasn’t, but I’m making another point here.) So beautiful. Smoky balsa wood, wet humus, dark sweet blackberry. Balanced, mouthfilling, no jamminess or heat. Elyse deserves to be held in the same esteem as Storybook and Ridge when it comes to consistently making elegant, ageworthy Zins.

2011 in Napa is unfairly maligned. There is a place for lighter wines, and it's usually at the table. This is so smooth and fruity, but with nice acids and length. Beautiful with the chicken and rice dish we had (which a bigger Zin from a "better" year would have overwhelmed). Just so right.

This is easing into maturity, its intense blackberry fruit transitioning into a sweet brambly, dusty sandalwood quality. Balanced, with a nice interplay between fruit and secondary aromas. I had it with grilled NY Strips, but it would be even better with grilled lamb at this stage.

Always one of my favorite Zins, the '11, from a cooler year, has gorgeous balance and purity and is drinking beautifully now. Very fragrant, with pure black cherry / black raspberry fruit and a warm, gravelly minerality. Mouthfilling and rich, but no heat whatsoever (it's 14.4%) is showing, and no jamminess. Soft tannins. Peaking. Dare I say, an elegant Zin? Watch out Storybook!

Sat on this Last Bottle 2011 vintage for 2 years and it really helped this Rich Napa zing to come together. The tannins softened and the fruit was less over the top than when I first tried it...

Had this with some grilled rib-eyes and it was terrific. Not an alcoholic fruit bomb, but not light either. Delicious fruit, some pepper and spice, lingering finish. Bravo.

Very pruny which faded on the second glass. 2nd day, lots of cola

My fave in a blind taste test at Chateau Neyer a couple weeks ago...and still excellent.

Last bottle pick up.

Very jammy. Maybe too much? The wife liked it a lot so I guess I'll be buying more!