- 2009 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Old Vine - USA, California, Sonoma County (11/19/2011)
35,50€; re-labelled to 16% abv by the importer or Alko (Finland's monopoly claims to test every wine it sells to make sure the label states the correct alcohol and other details); I couldn't tear it off to see what the original label says. Lots of berry aromas and dark toned fruit, quite lactic / yoghurt-like, no obvious alcohol on the nose - which is in my experience very rare in such high abv wines. It smells very much of Christmas spices and toffee and liquorice, i.e. has some new oak aromas that need to integrate. The palate is very rich but it gladly isn't super-concentrated, it has fair tannins and moderate acidity to help counter the huge fruit. Amazingly the alcohol is well integrated and does not stick out like sore thumb. This is far from my preferred drinking, but I can understand why many will love this wine. - 2009 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Home Ranch - USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley (11/19/2011)
34,90€; 90% Zinfandel & 10% Petit Sirah; re-labelled to 15,5% abv by the importer or Alko (Finland's monopoly claims to test every wine it sells to make sure the label states the correct alcohol and other details); I couldn't tear it off to see what the original label says. This is quite like the '09 Old Vine in being full of berry and dark fruit aromas with quite a bit of spice showing from the oak. Though similar aromatically, there is a touch more brightness and elegance (if one can say that about such a huge wine!) in this one. Very thick and though it has slightly less alcohol (if we believe the new labels!) there is slightly more obvious heat in this than in the Old Vine. Nice tannins with some real grip make this seem like something else than just a fruitbomb. But it is fucking huge - much too gargantuan to bring me pleasure. But at least its merits are obvious enough that even though my preferences are diametrically opposite to this wine's style I can still appreciate that many will absolutely love this.
to $30 a bottle from $20 a bottle with no real increase in quality. They are riding the wave of being chosen a top 10 wine by Wine Spectator a couple of years ago.