Kuhlman Cellars
Escondido Valley Zinfandel
Texas, USA
Texas. Wow. Very impressed. Warmer climate Zin with rich fruit notes but stays away from the jammy-ness that can come out of the same price point in California.
Texas. Wow. Very impressed. Warmer climate Zin with rich fruit notes but stays away from the jammy-ness that can come out of the same price point in California.
Apr 28th, 2016I'm really appreciating Escondido AVA here in TX for the grapes it produces. Produces rather nice SB grapes, and the Zone, when young, are good. This wine was probably a tiny bit over the hill and definitely was better when it was at cellar temp. Brambly raspberry and tart black cherry make the notes here. Getting some orange rind on the finish along with some rhubarb. Still had excellent acidic character but was probably better last year. Enjoyable nevertheless.
I'm really appreciating Escondido AVA here in TX for the grapes it produces. Produces rather nice SB grapes, and the Zone, when young, are good. This wine was probably a tiny bit over the hill and definitely was better when it was at cellar temp. Brambly raspberry and tart black cherry make the notes here. Getting some orange rind on the finish along with some rhubarb. Still had excellent acidic character but was probably better last year. Enjoyable nevertheless.
Aug 15th, 2020I really want to like this wine. I will say that this has definitely changed, but I'm not so sure that the overall score changes much for me (last note was 8.9 for different reasons). This is not a zin that is true to form. I get tart fruit here, and plum. I don't think either of those characteristics belongs in a zin. I am happy with the weight, structure, and finish of this wine. It is a well made wine which is made by a winemaker that is to be respected. But the wine just doesn't do it. More reminiscent of zinfandel via the nose, which is a little bit brambly in characteristic, some flowers, some black and purple fruits. But the entry is sharp, tart, plum, some raisin, fig, earthy middle, acidic finish which has a mild tannin. Definitely wouldn't kick it out of the bed for eating crackers, but I would have guessed that this was a mixed grapes wine that was headed downhill maybe a touch.
I really want to like this wine. I will say that this has definitely changed, but I'm not so sure that the overall score changes much for me (last note was 8.9 for different reasons). This is not a zin that is true to form. I get tart fruit here, and plum. I don't think either of those characteristics belongs in a zin. I am happy with the weight, structure, and finish of this wine. It is a well made wine which is made by a winemaker that is to be respected. But the wine just doesn't do it. More reminiscent of zinfandel via the nose, which is a little bit brambly in characteristic, some flowers, some black and purple fruits. But the entry is sharp, tart, plum, some raisin, fig, earthy middle, acidic finish which has a mild tannin. Definitely wouldn't kick it out of the bed for eating crackers, but I would have guessed that this was a mixed grapes wine that was headed downhill maybe a touch.
Apr 5th, 2018Poured from Coravin, this wine with medium density was a little bit of a plum and spiced fruitcake heavy zin. Entry was a bit tart. Probably the first Texas Zinfandel therefore I'm not so sure what is "true to the variety" here. Plum, black licorice, spiced fruitcake, tar, sweet tobacco on the front, with a middle that is a bit sweeter and a little less tart, mostly a raspberry pie and cigar box. Finishes with minimal tannin, perhaps a little softer on the palate than I thought. Definitely weighted more to the front. Can't say that I was enamored by this wine, but glad I have a couple more so that I can see how it might change.
Poured from Coravin, this wine with medium density was a little bit of a plum and spiced fruitcake heavy zin. Entry was a bit tart. Probably the first Texas Zinfandel therefore I'm not so sure what is "true to the variety" here. Plum, black licorice, spiced fruitcake, tar, sweet tobacco on the front, with a middle that is a bit sweeter and a little less tart, mostly a raspberry pie and cigar box. Finishes with minimal tannin, perhaps a little softer on the palate than I thought. Definitely weighted more to the front. Can't say that I was enamored by this wine, but glad I have a couple more so that I can see how it might change.
Feb 7th, 2018