Once & Future Wines
Green & Red Vineyard Zinfandel
Napa Valley, California, USA
Popped and poured; served double-blind to the tasting group. The wine pours a deep garnet, bordering purple color with a near but not quite opaque core. No signs of sediment. Medium+ viscosity. Moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is…quite frankly, gorgeous. Objectively, medium+ intensity with notes of black and red fruits fruits, black pepper, some tobacco, some baking space. On the palate, the wine is dry with fairly significant tannins. Acid is medium to medium+. Body is medium. Confirming the dark and red fruits and the black pepper was very present. The wine is so fresh and has a bit of a green streak to it suggesting that this is still quite primary. Many of the guesses were old world Syrah from the Rhône or Syrah from Washington state. No one called Napa Valley Zinfandel. But the moment that it was revealed, it was understood. Possibly it was the 20% Petite Sirah in the blend? Regardless, it was a very lovely wine that showcased the quality of the Green & Red vineyard. These have a long love ahead of them.
Popped and poured; served double-blind to the tasting group. The wine pours a deep garnet, bordering purple color with a near but not quite opaque core. No signs of sediment. Medium+ viscosity. Moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is…quite frankly, gorgeous. Objectively, medium+ intensity with notes of black and red fruits fruits, black pepper, some tobacco, some baking space. On the palate, the wine is dry with fairly significant tannins. Acid is medium to medium+. Body is medium. Confirming the dark and red fruits and the black pepper was very present. The wine is so fresh and has a bit of a green streak to it suggesting that this is still quite primary. Many of the guesses were old world Syrah from the Rhône or Syrah from Washington state. No one called Napa Valley Zinfandel. But the moment that it was revealed, it was understood. Possibly it was the 20% Petite Sirah in the blend? Regardless, it was a very lovely wine that showcased the quality of the Green & Red vineyard. These have a long love ahead of them.
Mar 4th, 2022
Dark, impenetrable black, explosive dark berry, juicy midnight cherry aromas boiling out of the glass. This is OG, throwback Cali zin conjured by a master. Actually more approachable than I anticipated, smooth silky sexy grape-ness. Balance is impressive, tannins come through in the finish… but round, not green or bitter. I remember falling in love with Joel Peterson’s masterful creations 30 years ago. Sometimes you can go home again. Well done Joel— I salute your life and work by raising a glass in your honor. This is some VGS!
Dark, impenetrable black, explosive dark berry, juicy midnight cherry aromas boiling out of the glass. This is OG, throwback Cali zin conjured by a master. Actually more approachable than I anticipated, smooth silky sexy grape-ness. Balance is impressive, tannins come through in the finish… but round, not green or bitter. I remember falling in love with Joel Peterson’s masterful creations 30 years ago. Sometimes you can go home again. Well done Joel— I salute your life and work by raising a glass in your honor. This is some VGS!
Jan 18th, 2022