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Quivira Vineyards Zinfandel 2016, Dry Creek Valley, California

03 Thursday Dec 2020

Posted by caspernick in Wine

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$23, 4 stars, 90 points, california, dry creek valley, zinfandel


Very dark purple and fully opaque.  Loads of pepper, purple plums and blackcurrant preserves on the nose.  On the palate I get a whack of iodine, ink and black fruit.  There’s a very definitive tannic streak but without the gum coating astringency.  Cranberry and tart cherry are noted on the mid palate.  The tannins are a touch green on the back end and they really start to grip on the long finish.  This wine scored big with the pros, I can see why. In my books the greeness detracts- 90 points and 4 stars for this $23 Zin. Drink till 2024. Salut….

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Michel-Schlumberger ‘Coteaux Sauvages’ 2009

07 Monday Oct 2013

Posted by caspernick in Wine

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$60, 3 stars, 91 points, dry creek valley, petite sirah, sonoma county, syrah blend


The label says “Estate Red”, so I had to look up the varietals because I sensed Syrah from the get-go.  Mind you, I had just spent 19 hours on airplanes to get home from Asia and did not realize I was opening a $60 bottle of vino for a casual drink.  The Syrah was pronounced, with pepper and spice on the nose.  I thought I was drinking a Rhone red, not realizing that this wine was actually from the Sonoma appellation of Dry Creek Valley.  I guess I was really tired from my flight!  Turns out it is a Syrah/Petite Sirah blend (You may recall my love affair with the Petite).  I think that is what is making this wine so interesting and adding the nuances.

The pepper came through again on the palate with dark cherries, which threw me off.  Plums and blackberry also made an entrance.  The wine was all over the place, the profile was Rhone yet the cherry component was very Burgundian.  It was extremely balanced and offered great acidity.  Background tannins held it in check but I fear for long term cellaring.  The wine is a delight to drink now, but at this price it is only a three star wine that wears a 91 point rating in my opinion.  I am thinking it would rock a cheese platter and perhaps a pork roast or just by itself.  I would reserve it against a red meat dish as it shows a delicate side that needs some finesse.  Overall, a lovely wine that I think would offer great pleasure in the right moment with the right person.  Easy to drink, yet complex.  Salut….

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Armida Zinfandel 2009

15 Friday Jun 2012

Posted by caspernick in Wine

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

5 stars, 91 points, dry creek valley, zinfandel


Some really cool friends of mine gave me this bottle…..thanks. I really mean it, you have done me a huge favor. Zinfandel can be such a bombastic, over-ripe, alcoholic monster that you tire of too easily. This wine is none of the above (except for the 14.9 %alcohol level). Beware, light-weights, this one will sneak up on you.
Back to the wine- beautiful dark blue fruit on the nose is rewarded with very chewy fruit and gorgeous tannins on the initial attack. The balance is great, with no hint of the sneaky 14.9 alcohol- beware. Mid palate, generous lashings of fruit, not the stewed kind found in most Zins, but really nice plum and blueberry. Did I mention the length? Like a speedboat fantail: long, narrow and focused. I am totally digging this wine. I wish I had more as I keep filling my glass up before my Flank steak is ready. A full on 5 star wine and 91 points for this excellent offering out of the Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma. Thanks M and B for the amazing treat.

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