Ravenswood Old Hill Ranch Zinfandel, 2004 Sonoma Valley $58

Michael & David Phillips, 2004 Earthquake Zin Lodi $20

Frank Family Vineyards 2004 Zinfandel Napa Valley $35

Made from vines that date to 1880.

Produced from Old Lodi Vines

The fruit on the nose was consistently raspberry and blackberry. Non Fruit was interesting ranging from chocolate, tobacco, smoke, menthol and cedar all the way to phenol. There was good oak spice in the finish

The fruit was prominent with black cherry, blackberry and currant in the attack. It evolved to pepper and cinnamon spice and tobacco in almond in the finish. There was cedar, oak and vanilla throughout.

This wine had very ripe raspberry, blueberry and black cherry on the nose with prunes and raisins. The non-fruit scents were very intriguing with anise, pepper, leather and some very nice oak.

Moderate

Moderate to low

Moderate

Nice, satiny mouthfeel with extremely rounded tannins, Full Body

Silky mouthfeel with medium, round tannins, Medium Body

14.9

15.9

15.6

This was a fairly complex wine with a nice combination of fruit and non-fruit attributes. The finish was between medium and long with good spice and fruit and a bit of alcohol burn and tannin at the end.

This was a wine of medium to high complexity with a wide range of fruit, spice and oak related attributes. The finish was medium to long with lots of that great fruit and spice throughout and lots of smoke and tobacco in the mid-palate.

This was a very big Zin. It had some large, dusty tannins, significant alcohol and big fruit. There was only a hint of disjointedness in the mid-palate and could use a little more time in the bottle, but a very nice wine all the same just made for those who love big Zins.

There was no doubt about this being an old vine Zin with its big, intense fruit and spice. Even though the alcohol and tannins were fairly high, the balance was so well done there was no burn or dryness. This was a favorite of many of the tasters for flavor and balance.

A very enjoyable wine, this had the most significant range of fruit that is so indicative of a good Zin. The tannins were apparent, but not at all drying or harsh. The wine was very nicely balanced.