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Aging wine is not without its risks. Strive to store your wine between 55-62 degrees. If you do so, the following notes are the most applicable. If your wine is stored in a rack on top of the refrigerator, good luck pardner. 2007The beginning of a three year drought cycle reduced berry size and crop levels. This produced a vintage with intense fruit character of dark fruits, cherry and briar. Slightly elevated acidity and fine tannins make 2007 one of our most successful vintages. DRINK / HOLD 2006 Now that it has bridged the gap from youthfulness to young adulthood we are seeing a supple roundness reminiscent of 2004. Very difficult to leave it alone for more aging but store a few bottles until 2014. DRINK / HOLD 2005 This is a "Winemaker Vintage." Not so showy and slow to open but when it does, the lights come on. The complex red fruits, spicy brown sugar and elevated acidity harmonize with a wide range of Cal-Ital dishes. DRINK / HOLD 2004 The 2004 growing season was as textbook as 2003 was odd. Here is a sterling example of why Dry Creek Valley is known world- wide for Zinfandel: aromas of ripe blackberry and raspberry, lip smackin' juiciness, supple tannins and a depth of color not seen since 1999. A blend of seven vineyards from the appellation's four quadrants. DRINK / HOLD 2003 From bud break to harvest, the 2003 growing season in Dry Creek Valley was stress-city. Yields were 60% of normal. We culled like never before and sculpted a Zinfandel worthy of our 25 year reputation. While Nalle Zin never lacks for fruit, there is a touch more cinnamon and white-pepper spice in this vintage. DRINK / HOLD 2002 Loaded with zinberry character: Raspberry, blackberry, cherry, strawberry. Very nice acidity carries through the finish. Nice touch of French oak without being overwhelming. Filling out nicely. In its prime. DRINK 2001 It's been ten years since we've had such a nonconforming Zin. Is that why we like it so much? Super spicy. Rhone-like meatiness and memories of that cherry sarsaparilla (sasparilla) at Disneyland. You'll kick yourself if you don't hold a few until 2015. DRINK / KICK / HOLD 2000 Smooth and supple with an alluring spiciness. The fruit is gone but not the thrill. (Sorry B.B.) Many say why wait. Hard to argue but even a precocious vintage like this is not yet O.T.H. DRINK 1999 We're not sure why 1999 turned out to be such a stunning vintage. Maybe it was the slightly below average crop. Maybe it was the gentle weather at harvest. Maybe it was a flare-up on Betelgeuse. Superb Dry Creek "zinberry" aromas and flavors that meld seamlessly from front to back. More spice in the finish than normal. DRINK 1998 Not every year gets to be "vintage of the decade" and '98 was not. However, it is respectable and better than some quick-to-damn critics say. In the mouth there is more impact from the acidity than tannin, similar to Chianti. Very charming at twelve years. Similar structure to '96, '92 and '88. DRINK 1997 Fast track wine. Gorgeous, ripe strawberry nose with Zin spice for interest. Smooth, lush mouth. Tannins seem almost sweet. What are you waiting for? DRINK 1996 This vintage got panned (because of the lushness of '95 and '97) but don't believe it. We think it's in a Bordeaux phase and that's a good thing. Brambly, dusty fruit with nice balance front to back. Similar to '75 and '88 with five plus years of good drinking left. DRINK 1995 Higher than usual alcohol for us (13.9%) but with less tannin gives a warm, soft mouthfeel. Clove, nutmeg, allspice nose from elevated V.A. (If you don't know what V.A. is, don't sweat it.) Probably not improving, not disintegrating. DRINK 1994 An unqualified gem. This wine has been great from the get-go. Complex, earthy, saddle leather, jammy nose with superb balance. At sixteen years, going strong. Still tasty 24 hours after opening. DRINK / HOLD 1993 The little princess. We keep waiting for this wine to go belly up, but it won't. A less than stellar vintage, yet this wine continues to drink well with berry and sweet herbs in the nose and smooth mouthfeel. DRINK 1992 A small berry year which had tight tannins. At eighteen years, it's starting to dry out a bit. Nice brown sugar and buttermilk nose with a Chianti-like mouthfeel. DRINK 1991 This 1991 along with 1978 and possibly 2007 are the three best vintages in 40 years. Every time we taste this wine it excels. Complex nose of spice, leather, earth and cassis. Great entry and long finish from higher acidity. Still alive with 24 hours of air. DRINK / HOLD 1990 This always gives '91 a run for its money when we wine geeks gather to taste. Doug favors the '91, but others argue for '90 with its soft, warm and deeply complex flavors. Refined, sweet bouquet. Just a delicious glass of mature Zinfandel. DRINK 1984-1989 We want our wines to live forever but all hubris aside we must admit the first six vintages are getting a bit long in the tooth. If you have any of them or can find some that have been impeccably stored, you will enjoy a walk down memory lane. They still give lots of pleasure. DRINK Back to top. |
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