Optima

Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

8.939 ratings
8.95 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
Jay Kline

Popped and poured; enjoyed over three days. Pretty consistent throughout. The 2020 pours a ruby color with a near opaque core and magenta rim; medium+ viscosity with very light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of dark bramble fruit, black pepper, dry earth, dried herbs and soft, baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ with a salt and pepper finish. Been a while since I had Optima’s Zinfandel. Drink now and through 2030.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over three days. Pretty consistent throughout. The 2020 pours a ruby color with a near opaque core and magenta rim; medium+ viscosity with very light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of dark bramble fruit, black pepper, dry earth, dried herbs and soft, baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ with a salt and pepper finish. Been a while since I had Optima’s Zinfandel. Drink now and through 2030.

Mar 5th, 2024
Michael Chelus

Blackberry, raspberry, currant, prune, mossy earth, eucalyptus, licorice, baking spice and oak. Great structure and well-integrated tannins.

Blackberry, raspberry, currant, prune, mossy earth, eucalyptus, licorice, baking spice and oak. Great structure and well-integrated tannins.

Mar 20th, 2016
ESF
9.2

Hard to find fault w/this gorgeous offering: no signs of age, really inky & dense almost immediately strutting w/vivid black & red rich ripe berry fruit along side pleasing spice, cocoa, vanilla and a hi-toned note. Sure smooth and luxurious on palate w/sweet fruit mirroring nose along with just enough tannins not to be flabby or jammy. Finish was great but holding it back for higher scores. Sort of a throwback to Zins of the 90s that I fell in love with.

Hard to find fault w/this gorgeous offering: no signs of age, really inky & dense almost immediately strutting w/vivid black & red rich ripe berry fruit along side pleasing spice, cocoa, vanilla and a hi-toned note. Sure smooth and luxurious on palate w/sweet fruit mirroring nose along with just enough tannins not to be flabby or jammy. Finish was great but holding it back for higher scores. Sort of a throwback to Zins of the 90s that I fell in love with.

Aug 15th, 2021
Kristen Grimes

Viscous, dark red wine. Dark, ripe fruits on the nose with a bit of olive brininess and dried herbs. Big round body, medium acid and some good peppery tannins that linger on and on. #gotm2020

Viscous, dark red wine. Dark, ripe fruits on the nose with a bit of olive brininess and dried herbs. Big round body, medium acid and some good peppery tannins that linger on and on. #gotm2020

Jan 3rd, 2020
Jill Schuchardt

Tannins, oak spice, red fruit. Not sweet, almost unbalanced

Tannins, oak spice, red fruit. Not sweet, almost unbalanced

Dec 8th, 2018
Rhonda Stone

A very nice, slightly oakey Zinfandel that I obtained from a leftover tasting at Lukas. It's overpriced, though, at $30. It should be outlived around $20.

A very nice, slightly oakey Zinfandel that I obtained from a leftover tasting at Lukas. It's overpriced, though, at $30. It should be outlived around $20.

Oct 22nd, 2018
Mike Moloney

Very nice. Drank with Nacho Cheese Bugles!

Very nice. Drank with Nacho Cheese Bugles!

Sep 14th, 2018
John Ebert

After letting open, has great flavor

After letting open, has great flavor

Jun 6th, 2016
John T
8.9

Solid red. Would serve as a table wine anytime

Solid red. Would serve as a table wine anytime

Apr 18th, 2016
S Rose
8.9

Nice smokey Zin. Not overly bold flavors, but a nice aroma and slightly peppery finish.

Nice smokey Zin. Not overly bold flavors, but a nice aroma and slightly peppery finish.

Feb 21st, 2016