Once & Future Wines
Napa Valley Zinfandel
Napa Valley, California, USA
Opened this last night so these are night 2 notes. So delicious. 90-year old vines. Nose has ripe, spicy blackberry fruit and surprisingly complex earthy notes of warm sandstone, sun-heated gravel, and terra cotta roof tiles. Also a garrigue-like note I normally associate with the southern Rhône. Soft but subtly structured in the mouth. Weighty but not hot or jammy. There’s quite a bit of fruit initially, but it gives way to lots of minerally, savory notes in the long finish. Lots of tannin but it’s totally integrated within the wine.
Opened this last night so these are night 2 notes. So delicious. 90-year old vines. Nose has ripe, spicy blackberry fruit and surprisingly complex earthy notes of warm sandstone, sun-heated gravel, and terra cotta roof tiles. Also a garrigue-like note I normally associate with the southern Rhône. Soft but subtly structured in the mouth. Weighty but not hot or jammy. There’s quite a bit of fruit initially, but it gives way to lots of minerally, savory notes in the long finish. Lots of tannin but it’s totally integrated within the wine.
Jan 5th, 2025Starting to soften from a few months ago. Loose-boned, big-bones. Not one to age but to drink in the next year or two before the alcohol burns through the fruit.
Starting to soften from a few months ago. Loose-boned, big-bones. Not one to age but to drink in the next year or two before the alcohol burns through the fruit.
Aug 25th, 2024This latest iteration of this wine features lots of different earthy notes on the nose: gravel, fresh yard mulch, decomposing tree branches. But it’s pleasant and there’s deep fruit too. On the palate, it’s dry and even a little on the austere side for a Zin, which typically features fruit. But you can sense some depth there waiting to make an appearance. A fair amount of tannin. Give this at least another year or two to come together and the score should be higher.
This latest iteration of this wine features lots of different earthy notes on the nose: gravel, fresh yard mulch, decomposing tree branches. But it’s pleasant and there’s deep fruit too. On the palate, it’s dry and even a little on the austere side for a Zin, which typically features fruit. But you can sense some depth there waiting to make an appearance. A fair amount of tannin. Give this at least another year or two to come together and the score should be higher.
May 11th, 2024Delectable does not have this wine. It’s the 2021 Once & Future Napa Valley Zinfandel. Since this is supposedly Joel Peterson’s “earlier” drinking Zin, I figured I’d pop it while it’s still wearing diapers. Gorgeous nose. So Zin. Gorgeously ripe and vibrant spicy blackberry. Warm gravel. A beam of vanilla. Soft and mouthfilling but nowhere near jammy. The fruit is ripe and bright. Goods acids, and there’s a saline earthiness there too. A moderate amount of soft tannin for structure will ensure this is even better in 2-3 years. Delicious, even at this young stage. 90 year old vines.
Delectable does not have this wine. It’s the 2021 Once & Future Napa Valley Zinfandel. Since this is supposedly Joel Peterson’s “earlier” drinking Zin, I figured I’d pop it while it’s still wearing diapers. Gorgeous nose. So Zin. Gorgeously ripe and vibrant spicy blackberry. Warm gravel. A beam of vanilla. Soft and mouthfilling but nowhere near jammy. The fruit is ripe and bright. Goods acids, and there’s a saline earthiness there too. A moderate amount of soft tannin for structure will ensure this is even better in 2-3 years. Delicious, even at this young stage. 90 year old vines.