Today -
1996 Ravenswood Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (11/4/2007)
Opened to make a pot roast. It made a great sauce, and for the first few hours a very fine drink with plenty of red berry and brambly dry earth aromas and flavors. After being open for about 6 hours it got a bit volatile, so it's time to drink these up. Still as long as you drink it up (in less than 6 hours) it's very enjoyable.
Nearly three years ago -
1996 Ravenswood Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (1/3/2005)
Classic Ravenswood & Classic Monte Rosso.
Made some Chili, and a zin seemed like the right match. Well this did not disappoint. It had lots of crushed raspberry, blackberry, dusty earth, moderate tannins and a lingering berry, brambly & even a bit leathery finish. The acids were very well intergrated and balanced, and it was a pleasure to sip on its own or with dinner.
I had thought about drinking up my stash of this wine, but the berry fruit is still so fresh that I will hold my remaining two bottles for a few more years. I would like to see it develop more of that leather/dusty character. This is still very much a zin & not headed for "fake claret" land any time soon. (91 pts.)