1996 Turley Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley 'Grist Vineyard')

Source: Sterling

Consumption Date: 6/26/2012

Notes: Fine aroma of musky ripe berries with hints of spice and chocolate.  Mellow flavors of dark berries and cherry fruit with a distinct chocolate note, plenty of spice, a mild leafiness, and a suggestion of oxidation.  Long finish of spicy fruit, chocolate, and a hint of wet stone minerality.  Mild tannin.

This wine has opened my eyes to the potential of aged Zinfandel.  While I can see why most critics contend that Zinfandel does not age well, my experience with this wine suggests otherwise.  While this wine has clearly lost the intense primary fruit and the briary, dry leafiness that is characteristic of younger Zinfandel, this wine has developed an elegance, subtlety, and complexity that I find to be very enjoyable.  I find certain parallels with fine Burgundy, although the flavor profile is different.  Although the alcohol level in this wine is quite high (16+%), the alcohol is not evident in the flavor profile (but certainly in the effect of drinking most of a bottle on an empty stomach).  This wine has exceeded my expectations.

Value: Good to very good

2002 Raveneau Chablis 1er Cru 'Monts Mains'

Source: Astor

Consumption Date: 6/18/2012

Notes: Mild aroma of almonds with hints of wet metal, grass, and apple fruit.  Light bodied with very mild fruit (green apple and a hint of lemon), a distinct ‘green’ note (grass/fresh cut vegetation), a steely metallic/chalk mineral core, and a nutty almond note hinting at mild bitterness.  Relatively long finish dominated by chalky minerality, but with mild fruit, nut, steel, and grassy notes.

This wine has been difficult to pin down, as it is very well made and elegant, yet light bodied and understated.  Despite its seeming lack of weight and depth, there are many flavor components present, although again in an understated way that does not suggest complexity.  I am finding this to be puzzling, yet enjoyable.  However, as Raveneau has a reputation and therefore a following, this wine is expensive for the appellation and below average value.

2004 Carol Shelton Zinfandel 'Rocky Reserve' (Rockpile 'Florence Vineyard')

Source: Sterling

Consumption Date: 6/15/2012

Notes: Moderate, but intense aromas of black raspberry fruit and warm underbrush with hints of spice and chocolate.  Medium bodied with a luscious, elegant fruitiness (black raspberry and dark cherry) with an understated leafy, spiciness and a hint of chocolate.  Moderate finish of fruit and more prominent spiciness, with a hint of mineral tang  Mild to moderate tannin.

This wine has proven to be a different, but extremely enjoyable, take on California Zinfandel.  It is very definitely a fruit bomb, in that it has dramatic and dominant fruitiness, but it is surprisingly fine and elegant with enough complexity to remain interesting.  Although the typical Zinfandel notes of leaves/spice/underbrush are there, they are understated, though equally fine. The hint of chocolate was another pleasant surprise as were the relatively mild tannins.  Exceptionally well balanced.  Very good value.

2002 La Chablisienne Chablis 1er Cru 'Mont de Milieu'

Source: Zachys

Consumption Date: 6/8/2012

Notes: Pale yellow color.  Fine aroma of flowers, wet stone, and a hint of fruit (apple/white grape).  Light bodied with crisp flavors of fruit (apple, lemon, white grape, peach) balanced by a pleasant acid mineral tang.  Moderate finish of more fruit and minerals as well as a strong note of vanilla, musk, and fresh cooked vegetables (beans?).

This is one of those wines that really makes me understand the appeal of a specific region.  This is an incredibly crisp, refreshing wine with a depth of complexity that defies its light body and color.  The strong vegetal note on the finish was completely unexpected.  At first I was concerned that it might be a fault (especially since I had difficulty identifying a descriptor for it), but while it may be a bit obtrusive, it does not seem out of place and adds another touch of complexity to the wine.  This should also be a very food friendly wine.  Worthy of Wine Spectator’s Top 100 ranking.  Excellent value.

2005 Dashe Zinfandel 'Louvau Vineyard' (Dry Creek Valley)

Source: Zachys

Consumption Date: 6/4/2012

Notes: Moderate aroma of spicy fruit (blackberry, black raspberry) with a hint of dry wood.  Medium bodied with mild spicy fruit framed by intense dry wood notes with a hint of dry leaves.  Moderate finish of spicy blackberry fruit and more dry wood.  Moderate to strong tannins.

This wine is a bit of a puzzle.  Upon first tasting, it seemed to taste of nothing, but with a dry, spicy finish.  Now it seems to have opened up and is revealing some fruit and spice, but with a predominance of dry wood.  I am not sure if my impressions are a true reflection of the wine or if there is something physiological that is interfering with my perceptions.  In any case, this wine has proven to be something of a disappointment as it is not hitting the intense fruity, brambly characteristics that I love in Zinfandel.  It seems to be trying for high (almost over-the-top) intensity, but it doesn’t seem to have the fruit to back it up and the wood notes are dominant to overpowering.  A bit more tannic than I really enjoy.  Disappointing value.