Tasted at the Bacar dinner, 4/12/04:

I was on the phone first thing the next morning after tasting this trying to secure more, that’s how good this stuff is (I think I may be getting another case). When Teri turns to me and says, “we have a bunch of this in the cellar?” - you know the answer had better be “why, yes dear”. An outrageous nose that is nothing less than a delight to sniff,; perfumed, chock full candied spice, cherries, and all sorts of other intriguing aromas. Amazing on the palate, this is not your typical jammy in-you-face Zin, but shockingly elegant and - dare I say? Complex. An amazing achievement!

Up front, this wine had an incredible nose. Lots of red and dark fruit and incense screaming from the glass. On the palate, this one was incredibly tannic. I think this one needs some cellar time. 89 pts.

During a recent tasting at the winery, as good as the Pinots were, this was the wine that really got my attention.

Could be the answer to the question "Where has the Zinberry gone?" Sure brings back memories of the 70's for me.

I guess that since this vineyard was the source for the Ridge Occidental Zins, it stands to reason that it can stand some aging.

Reminder to self: Buy more.

Received my sampler pack last week and finally had to break down and try something. Now I'm not particularly fond of Zin's, so I thought, let's get this one over with. WOW was I surprised. This was a real treat. Not your typical hot, slam-bam Zin. Instead, dare I say this is a Zin with restraint and delicacy. I kept looking at the bottle to make sure I had pulled out the right one.

If more wineries produced gems like this one, I might even grow fond of Zins!!

I finished off a bottle of this last night - IMO, it was better the second day, displaying it's nuanced fruit and complexity. And dare I say it, it is a Pinot-lover's Zin. I hope Eric Sussman keeps making Zinfandel.

drank this wine last night. one of the better and more enjoyable zins i have had in quite awhile. this zin was actually food frendly. expansive nose, medium to full bodied and outstanding balance. no over ripiness or heat at all. impressive wine.

I agree ojeffso. I think Tanzer was pretty close to on the money when he gave this 94 pts. I actually liked it better than the Timbervine Syrah.

jb

Had this wine last night with several other Zins. I gotta say it was the second "sweetist" Zin and tasted only fair next to the others.

I know when I had a bottle of this all by itself it was super good.

(Sweetest last night was a huge, huge fruit kool-aid bomb Coturri.)

I was getting tired of all the big boy zins...then you RC Von Weidlich entered my life and I remembered why I used to love zins so much.

Tasted at the July BAWE Zinfandel blowout...

Outstanding, big pepper, briar, beautiful palate, with fine tannins. 93 points.

This was seriously good juice though, IMO, not a good QPR for Zinfandel.

Very good zin. 92 points on our first and second bottles. A little on the expensive side but has a lot going for it.

Super Wine. Flavors unlike any of those in your face Zin's that you really have to think twice about before opening.

Welcome to VC, GG!!!

Just had a bottle of this last night with Steak Fajitas. This wine goes down so easy and it pleasing to smell and taste. Complex and delicious right now, I'm sorry to have finished my second and last bottle. 92 points.

Looking forward to the 2003s!

I think I am going to crack into another one of these... we opened one a few weeks ago when we had friends over for dinner. My wino friend proceeded to pour me a glass of the wine he brought, in the meantime he drank about half of the bottle of the RC, afterwards saying it was "just OK". I think I need to get new friends.

Last year Oeno-file published a review of a barrel sample of the 2003 Zinfandel. Its still being produced.

This is good news! Thanks JW!

A very nice bottle that needs no decanting & no cellaring. It will be drinking well for some time, but I see no reason to hold if looking for a solid bottle of zin to enjoy.

Rating: 91 & drink now.