Was in the mood last night for a Zin w/ my bruschetta:
1. DryCreekVnyd Zin SomersRanch/DryCreekVlly (14.9%; 469 cs; www.DryCreekVineyard.com) 2007: Very dark color; strong blackberry/raspberry/Zin/RCCola/black cherry cola very brambly/briary rather dusty/OV light pencilly/toasty/smokey/oak some complex beautiful Zin nose; slightly tart strong blackberry/raspberry/DCV Zin very spicy/briary/RCCola light pencilly/toasty/vanilla/oak some dusty/OV some complex lovely flavor w/ smooth/modest tannins; very long very spicy/blackberry/raspberry/Zin/RCCola some dusty/OV light pencilly/smokey/Am.oak complex finish w/ light/supple tannins; probably at its peak or slightly beyond; a quintessential DryCreekVnyd DryCreekVlly old-vine Zin; beautiful Zin. $28.00 (VSP)
______________________
A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. I have, of course, followed DryCreekVnyd from the very start. The '72 GamayBeaujolais was an absolutely pretty wine. The first Zin was the '73. Pleasant enough, but just that.
I don't think the DCV Zins get the respect they deserve. The Heritage Zin, at around $15-$18/btl, is a very pretty Zin at a great price. The OldVines Zin is good, but not my favorite. Year in/year out; the SomersRanch and BeesonRanch Zins are my easy favorites. Classic examples of old-vine Zin, loaded w/ briary/brambly/very spicy Zin fruit. Can't say I have a clear preference of one from the other. But they can go toe-to-toe w/ any Zin I can think of.
Tom