Tasted these two new Zins from DryCreekVnyds ystrday @ Pig+Fig:
1. DryCreekVnyd Zin HistoricBlocks DryCreekVlly/SonomaCnty (14.8%; Vine age: 25-104 yrs; Hrvstd: Aug 29-Sept 14; 18 mo. in French/Hungarian/Am. oak; SaH: 25.5 Brix; TA: 0.64%; 600 cs) 2020: Very dark color; intensae blackberry/Zin/raspberry/very spicy rather dusty/OV strong vanilla/oak/toasty rather complex almost RRV/peppery nose; quite tart/tangy strong very spicy/blackberry/Zin some vanilla/oak complex more structured bit more complex flavor w/ some brisk tannins; very long/lingering finish mimics flavor; shows deeper & more OV fruit & less oak; some RRV/Bedrock-like Zin; an outstanding expression of DCV Zin. $56.00/$44.80 (VSP)
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2. DryCreekVnyd Zin SomersRanch/DryCreekVlly/SonomaCnty (14.4%; Vine age: 21 yrs; Hrvstd: Sept.29; 18 mo in Fr./Hungarian/Am. oak; SaH: 24.9 Brix, TA: 0.65%; 800 cs) 2020: Very dark color; intense very spicy blackberry/raspberry/Zin some4 toasty/oak more DCVlly/raspberry fruit fairly complex light dusty/OV lovely nose; bit softer more bright DCVlly/raspberry/Zin some toasty/oak light dusty/OV some complex flavor light peppery flavor w/ modest brisk tannins; very long/lingering finish that mimics the flavor; shows more bright DCVlly/raspberry/Zin fruit & a bit more toasty/oak; another terrific DCV Zin. $46.00/$36.80 (VSP)
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More fickerbloss from TheBloodyPulpit:
1. This is the 2'nd yr for production of Historic Blocks, a blend of Zin from a number of Historic old DCV vnyds. First time I've tried this wine & I was impressed. I'm not at all clear on how this wine differed from their OldVine Zin, but I thought this was better than any OV Zin I've had. My favorite DCV Zins have always been the Somers & Beeson Ranch Zin for their intense spiciness, but this Historic Blocks I ranked right up there with those two.
DryCreekVnyd is making some exceptional Zins these days. I would characterize them of the quality of the Bedrock & Carlisle Zins, though not as big/ripe/lush/extracted as those. Their HeritageVines Zin is one of the best value Zins around.
Tom