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
