1994 Renwood Zinfandel Grandpère - some varietals age gracefully and indeed several require aging to smooth them out and allow differentiation of flavours and tannins, but some do not and zinfandel is one that I usually view in the latter group. One of the reasons zin is popular especially with the younger crowd is that perceiving the scents and flavours doesn't usually require much subtlety of palate, though there are some exceptions. I came across this bottle in my cellar during a review and figured that it would likely need drinking.
Colour was bright but light, I've seen pinot noir that was darker than this, though I recall it being fairly dark on purchase and first tastings, and the edges were bricky. The nose retained some of the sweet up front fruit - black currant - and much of the sweetness I remembered. Medium length, and not overly sweet in the finish. It has aged gracefully but has nowhere to go but down from here in my opinion. I also have 1995 and 2006 Grandmere and intend to rataste them in the near future.
Decent, but it won't replace Ridge Geyserville or Lytton Springs in my Zin favourites, but just to be sure, I have both of those wines of about the same age and intend to taste them both before year end to confirm.
I've found that those new to wine tasting often favour the youthful brashness and sweet fruit of young zins, but those of us that are claret hounds tend to prefer a bit more subtlety and complexity. It should be an interesting.comparison.
