We tried these two new Zins at our tasting of New Zins at Pig+Fig ystrday:
1. DryCreekVnyds Zin WallaceRanch/DCV7 Estate/DryCreekVlly (14.7%; Heritage clones 28 yrs old; 5% PetiteSirah; Hrvstd: Sept 9-15; 16 mo. in French/Hungarian/Am.oak; SaH: 26.0 Brix; 515 cs) 2022: Dark color; very strong blackberry/raspberry/very spicy Zin strong vanilla/oak bit dusty/OV some complex pretty intense for DryCreekVnyds Zin nose; fairly tart rather intense blackberry/raspberry/spicy Zin strong vanilla/oak flavor w/ some chewey tannins; very long/lingering fairly intense finish that tracks flavor; needs 2-6 yrs of age; a pretty classic DryCreekVlly & fairly intense for a DryCreekVnyds Zin; lovely classic Zin. $48.00/$38.40 (VSP)
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2. DryCreekVnyds Zin Spencer'sHillVnyd/DCV9 Vnyd DryCreekVlly (14.6%; 22 yr old Heritage clones; Hrvstd: Sept 9-18; SaH: 26.8 Brix; 17 mo. in Fr./Hungarian/Am.oak; 916 cs) 2021: Very dark/near black color; less lush/bright Zin fruit but deeper licorice/chocolatey intense blackberry/boysenberry/very spicy Zin less toasty/oak some complex beautiful DryCreekVlly nose; bit softer richer/lusher/more balanced less toasty/oak intense blackberry/boysenberry/raspberry bit peppery/very spicy Zin beautiful flavor w/ softer/rich chewey tannins; needs another 4-8 yrs; more depth & structure; a beautiful classic DryCreekVlly Zin. $48.00/$38.40 (VSP)
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More bortermix from TheBloodyPulpit:
1. I've been preaching this same sermon for several yrs now. Tim Bell at DryCreekVnyds is crafting some outstanding Zins there, as good as any from the Zin biggies. These two are maybe his finest yet. They are pretty intense Zins that speak strongly of DryCreekVlly but more intense & not the high-toned character many DCVlly Zins show. I slightly preferred the Spencer's because of its greater balance & greater depth.
They also make two first-rate Zins from Somers & Beeson Ranchs, two very old-vine vnyds they have taken from for a number of yrs now. These are a bit lighter but show more spicy/distinctive fruit than these two Estate Zins and a bit more dusty/OV character. These are also absolutely first rate Zins.
If you haven't tried any recent DryCreekVnyd Zin in recent yrs or tend to dismiss DCV because of their size, you must try them again. That's an order!!
Tom