Who would have thought...a great `91 Late-harvest Zinfandel!

I take a fair amount of flake for cellaring some of the wines that I do from time to time. I have to admit there have been a few clunkers but tonite`s 350ml was drinking very nicely.

WTN: Saucelito Canyon `91 Late Harvest Zinfandel, Arroyo Grande Valley, San Luis Obisco County.

I had an eye on this split for quite a while, but thought "what the heck, tonite is the nite!!" Dug out a raisin pie from the freezer to help it along.

Purchased in May `93, $24 Cdn (350ml). 16% alc, brix at harvest 40, cork very moist and some seeping. Cork broke in half but no problem.

The color looks like a 10 yr old tawny, no ruby whatsoever. Light caramel center, appealing brown rainbow.
On the nose, instant port-like nuances with caramel, prunes, dates, high alcohol. "Very porty from across the table".
The palate is a real surprise. Rich, sweet, mothers famous Xmas cake. Long lengthy finish, no sign of falling apart. Served blind, one would be pushed to recognise this little treasure.
No sign of going downhill after 2 hrs, have a glass left for tomorrow for the gang downtown.

I take a fair amount of flake for cellaring some of the wines that I do from time to time. I have to admit there have been a few clunkers but tonite`s 350ml was drinking very nicely.
WTN: Saucelito Canyon `91 Late Harvest Zinfandel, Arroyo Grande Valley, San Luis Obisco County.
I had an eye on this split for quite a while, but thought "what the heck, tonite is the nite!!" Dug out a raisin pie from the freezer to help it along.
Purchased in May `93, $24 Cdn (350ml). 16% alc, brix at harvest 40, cork very moist and some seeping. Cork broke in half but no problem.
The color looks like a 10 yr old tawny, no ruby whatsoever. Light caramel center, appealing brown rainbow.
On the nose, instant port-like nuances with caramel, prunes, dates, high alcohol. "Very porty from across the table".
The palate is a real surprise. Rich, sweet, mothers famous Xmas cake. Long lengthy finish, no sign of falling apart. Served blind, one would be pushed to recognise this little treasure.
No sign of going downhill after 2 hrs, have a glass left for tomorrow for the gang downtown.

Not too surprised that this LH is still doing well, Bob. The RS acts as a preservative in some mysterious way that I don't understand, but these sweet LH Zins can go on forever.
Not very pretty to look at...but wonderful to taste. They go wonderfully w/ something treacley, or with a 25-yr old Xmas fruitcake (got 2 of 'em aging away in my fridge...w/
unknown gallons of bourbon & rum dumped on them. I get the same sort of flak over them when I suggest they be served).
Tom

Well, I have a glass left so hopefully still good. Thanks Tom for your kind reply, as usual good info from you!
It p..... me of when no-one seems interested in a wine report like this!

Not too surprised that this LH is still doing well, Bob. The RS acts as a preservative in some mysterious way that I don't understand, but these sweet LH Zins can go on forever.

I've always assumed that sweet wines age so well for two reasons. The first is the huge quantity of SO2 that has to be added to prevent refermentation and which helps preserve the wine. The second is that better sweet wines also have high acidity, which also seems to lead to longer life.

Mark Lipton

I've got a bottle of 72 Mayacamas LH , planning on serving soon!

I've got a bottle of 72 Mayacamas LH , planning on serving soon!

Don't expect any miracles, Dale. There are limits....... Last time I had this, maybe 7-8 yrs ago, it was showing an awful lot of
raisened/pruney character. Not really bad...but not that enjoyable, though,...an intellectual experience.
The '72 Mayacamas LH Zin was Travers forst from AmadorCnty grapes. Ed & Kay Baldenelli's old Zin vnyd...now owned
by BillEaston. It lived a long & glorious life...but it was not immortal.
Tom

I'm serving as a "throwaway", it'll be whatever it is. But I did note there are 4 pretty positive notes in last couple years on CT.