Winery - Rancho Zabaco
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Here’s a big, tannic Zinfandel from a premier vineyard now owned by Gallo. The flavors are bigtime, offering an eruption of blackberries, currants, spiced rum punch, chocolate and licorice. Think of it as Zinfandel on steroids. Calls for equally hefty barbecue, but also has the structure to age interestingly over the next six years, at least.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Gallo did a great job with this wine, producing 31,000 cases and yet making the wine smooth, balanced and delicious. It’s quintessential Sonoma Zin, with briary flavors of wild cherries and raspberries, and coatings of chocolate, anisette, bacon and spices.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A charming, almost old-fashioned Zinfandel with big, jammy raspberry and black-cherry fruit, backed by an earthy, rich center. There’s peppery spice on the finish from the 17% Petite Sirah in the blend, which adds richness.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
You’ll find a chewiness to this wine from tannins, but sweet fruit, low acidity and oak soften it to gentility. Has the feel of a fine Cabernet, with Zin’s distinctive spicy, feral quality. If it were more intense, it would be an excellent wine.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Quite lively, with bright gooseberry, fig, herb, melon, lemon and grass tones. Viscous yet refreshing on the palate. Moderate on the finish.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Dry and crisp, but too feline in strong green aromas and flavors. A little of that goes a long way. Modest lemon and lime fruit comes to the rescue, but too little, too late.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A chewy wine with tremendous extraction and flavor intensity, this has some Port-like qualities, and the flavors are tart-sweet, pruney, with nutty, almost bitter almond notes peeking through. Still young, it will be better in two years. Coses with a big, tooth-staining finish.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
I really like this wine, which in so many ways is classic Sonoma Zin. It’s dry and full-bodied, with sturdy tannins and ripe, forward Zin flavors that finish in a swirl of spicy fruit. It’s also high in acidity, which is perfect to cut through meaty fats, butter, olive oil and cheese.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
You’ll find some polished flavors of figs, limes and melon in this simple wine. It has crisp acids, and finishes with a bit of honeyed sweetness.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Smells inviting, with grass, gooseberry, pine cone, smoky and vanilla aromas, and drinks dry and clean, with citrus and fig flavors. There’s a tiny hit of honey on the long, spicy finish. Really a nice sipper.
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