Ferrari-Carano

Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

8.949 ratings
8.96 pro ratings
Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA
Zinfandel
Lamb, Chicken, Turkey, White Rice, Pasta, Potato, Herbs, Mushrooms, Soft Cheese, Chili & Hot Spicy, Tomato-Based, Duck, Exotic Spices, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Pork, Baking Spices, Pungent Cheese, Beef, Onion, Shallot, Garlic
Top Notes For
David Shaw

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
Randy Fuller

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.

1 person found it helpfulAug 13th, 2015
Steve Mitchell

Medium body, fruity with a berry hint. Easy drinking now.

Medium body, fruity with a berry hint. Easy drinking now.

May 13th, 2022
jen! wydro

too juicy and uncomplicated for my liking

too juicy and uncomplicated for my liking

Oct 24th, 2017
Peter Coticchia

First time for me and liked it! Thanks Lee!

First time for me and liked it! Thanks Lee!

May 13th, 2017
Thomas Epps

Perfectly decent, but uninspired.

Perfectly decent, but uninspired.

Feb 5th, 2017
Ann Petersen

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
Gaby Duva

Goes well with BBQ/smokes Gouda

Goes well with BBQ/smokes Gouda

May 2nd, 2014
Gary Moore

Mummmm-Debi

Mummmm-Debi

Apr 20th, 2014
Harry Boudreaux

Excellent got to have a case.

Excellent got to have a case.

Jul 29th, 2013