Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin 2008: Review

Gnarlyhead.com

Gnarly Head Cellars

Manteca, California, USA

14.5% abv

$7.60 a bottle

I have had this bottle floating around for a while so it is time to do a review. 

Appearance: deep garnet body with a purple edge

Aroma: dark berries, nice spice box … dry green spice with a dash of pepper

Flavors: black current, boysenberry, plum, oak on the mid and late, toasted vanilla, hint of roasted marshmallow, black licorice, nice earthy tone, dash of pepper on the finish

Mouthfeel: earthy feel, the dark berries coat the palate, light bitterness on mid and late, semi-smooth feel, medium-full body,

To the Point: this is proof you can get a good tasting wine for under 10 bucks, I enjoyed this wine, I would buy this again, a good medium-full bodied wine to have at your next party for those who enjoy a red wine with some body.  

Zen of Zin 2008: Review

Old Vine Zinfandel

Ravenswood

Sonoma, California, USA

13.5% abv

Zinfandel blended with: petite sirah, syrah, and carignane added

Appearance: deep purple body with purple highlights

Aroma: mulberry, slightly inky, black licorice,

Flavors: dark berries, mild toffee flavored coffee with cream, thick earthy tone, little milk chocolate like, oak,

Mouthfeel: fairly smooth, blackberry like bite on the back of the palate, lingering berry and earth notes. 

As the wine opens up I think the aroma becomes a little sweeter and the taste a little juicier. 

My Strength Rating: 5.5 – the berries and the earthy tones help to give it a good medium body

To the Point: a pretty decent Zinfandel and worthy to purchase a bottle to give it a try.  For under 15 bucks you can’t go wrong. 

Incredible Red 2008 Zinfandel: Review

Peachy Canyon Incredible Red 2008

Central Coast Zinfandel

Peachy Canyon Winery

Paso Robles, California, USA

13.9% abv

$24.00 Restaurant Price

Peachycanyon.com

Appearance: rich purple body

Aroma: dark berries, cherry, on the light-moderate side, nothing special

Flavors: when I had this at the restaurant I thought it tasted like a Syrah and not a Zin.  With notes of mild blackberry, mulberry, tobacco, and light earthy tone.  Tasted like a cheap 9 or 10 dollar bottle. 

Later, when I was at home I thought the Zinfandel started to show up.  I’ll have to look this one up.  I’ll bet it is a blend which, that’s what I thought it would be.  The notes seemed like the cherry was coming through and the dark berry followed the dark cherry; along with a little herb and spice dancing around.  There is a slight creamy dark chocolate (50% like).    It just seems to lack a little character.  A bit thin at times. 

The second day: I think it tastes better today.  The body is a little firmer with some structure to it.  Yesterday, I thought is seemed a little light and a little thin at times.  The flavors are working together today.  I still get the black cherry and a bit of dark berry, there is a touch or raspberry, the earthy note is moderate at best, and along the way an oaky note developed but, it is just a hint of oak. Oh yeah, the slight creamy dark chocolate note is still swirling around.  I am not picking up any spice.  The mouthfeel is pleasingly smooth with a decent aftertaste of dark cherry, berry, and a semi-creamy feel. 

To the Point: Not bad, good for a bottle that should retail around $10 a bottle.  If, you are looking for an everyday wine or if you have a group of people over this might work for you.  Make sure to decant and let stand for 45 minutes before severing. 

Just looked it up: Blend of 82% Zinfandel, 10% Petite Sirah, and 8% Syrah.

Chronic Cellars 2009 Purple Paradise: Review

14.5% abv
Chronic Cellars
Paso Robles, California, USA
95% Zinfandel, 5% Petite Sirah
Chroniccellars.com
My Strength Rating: 4

This wine pours an attractive ruby color, deep ruby with big lighter ruby highlights.

As the wine smoothly glides across the tongue I detect sweet summertime red berries with a twist of vanilla. Right now I am thinking of a big bowl of vanilla ice cream with big ripe strawberries for some reason.

As I pour myself a second glass of this tasty little treat the wine starts to open. The strawberry presence is still tasty with that nice vanilla twist. But, now I start to notice a bit of a spice note. I continue my research with a few more sips of the wine and I think I am going to call it a mild pink peppercorn taste and this taste is on the back of the palate.

Ravenswood 2006 Teldeschi Zinfandel: Review

Dry Creek Valley
15.5% abv
Ravenswood
Sonoma, California, USA
My Strength Rating: 7.5/8

Color: deep purple body with ruby highlights

First Glass – poured the glass before decanting

Aroma: dark berry, light spice, nice smoky note
Flavors: blackberry, cherry, touch of sweet spice and mint
Mouthfeel: on the full side of medium-full bodied, coating of dark berries on the palate, very dry

Second Glass - decanted

Aroma: dark berry, light spice, oak, hint of vanilla, nice smoky note

Flavors: the flavor start to open, blackberry, currant, cherry, still that touch of sweet spice, seems like a touch of mint, just a dusting of green peppercorn to make things interesting, oak starts to show in this second glass, a 90% dark chocolate style develops, and a soil earthiness brings things together. I guess I would say this is complex.

Mouthfeel: the dark berries continue to coat the palate with some earthy notes, the texture is a bit chewier, that high percentage dark chocolate dryness is there, the aftertaste is thick and lingering, still dry but not like the first glass (the wine got a chance to breath and the alcohol got a chance to settle).

Here is my suggestion, decant this baby for at least 45 minutes.

This is my kind of Zin, big, bold, and full of flavors.

Linking you UP - check out the other zins reviewed this month
Renwood 2006 Grandpere
Chronic Cellears 2009 Purple Paradise
Ancient Vines 2008 by Cline
Seven Deadly Zins 2008

Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel 2008: Review

Cline Cellars
Sonoma, California, USA
$11.50 a bottle
Clinecellars.com
My Strength Rating: 5

Upon opening the bottle the aroma just fills the air with fresh berries and a touch of chocolate. The palate is greeted with wonderful strawberry and raspberry like goodness. There is a mix of black current, oak, a touch of caramel, along with some mocha on the back of the tongue. As the wine opens up the vanilla oak profile builds on the aftertaste. The texture is velvety smooth. I would not guess this to be a Zinfandel. I do like this wine.

Linking you UP - check out the other zins reviewed this month
Renwood 2006 Grandpere
Ravenswood 2006 Teldsechi
Chronic Cellears 2009 Purple Paradise
Seven Deadly Zins 2008
A.Mano 2007