Winery - Storybook Mountain
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
An amazing wine, with classic Howell Mountain monster fruit. Bursts with blueberry, currant, and blackberry aromas and flavors, and a rich streak of mushroom. Extracted and pure; very dry and spicy. This is the last vintage of this wine; the vineyard has been replanted to Cabernet Sauvignon.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
The price suggests that the winery considers this an important Cabernet, and it may be, but it does require aging. It’s fresh and young and tannicly aggressive right now, with direct blackberry, cherry and oak flavors, and not really showing all that well. But neither does young Bordeaux. My hunch is that it’s a cellar bet. Try after 2007.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
From Zin specialists, this fruity wine will appeal to those who like their Zins big and brawny. The wild berry flavors are dry, and the alcohol is a moderate 14.5%, sparing the wine from excessive heat. No raisins mar the balance. A tomatoey streak suggests barbecue sauce.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This barrel selection is intense and ripe. You can taste the sunshine in the blackberry, boysenberry and blueberry flavors, and the winemaker has wisely made the wine dry and balanced. It possesses Zin’s ineffably wild and rugged character, but big meats, such as roast lamb or barbecued ribs, will create the ideal marriage.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
The wine is purple in color, the aromas are big and jammy, and the flavors are youthful, suggesting freshly crushed blueberries, blackberries, cherries, black pepper and tobacco. That tells you what kind of Zin this is: Mountain Zin, brawny and bold. Thankfully, it is dry and has no residual sugar.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Blackberries are the story here, boatloads of rich, ripe, jammy blackberries. There is just a whiff of volatile acidity, then a wonderful mouthful of fruit with some stony earth underneath. Shows a light touch with the oak, good acids and a deft handling of the tannins.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Mountain-grown grapes bring elements of mineral and earth into play, neatly laced into the precise, black-cherry fruit. Really a lovely nose; seductive and textured. Lively and spicy on the palate, with a chalky, tannic finish.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Starts off with pretty blueberry and spice aromas. Quite cherry-like and bright on the palate, with hints of spice, chocolate and toast. Tannins are ripe and the finish is moderate in length.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is a blend of Zinfandel, Cab, Merlot and Petit Verdot, but it’s hard to like because it’s so overripe and Porty. Tastes like plumped raisins, with a hot finish.
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