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WS: 87
Cline Cellars Zinfandel Contra Costa County Big Break 2006
Cline Cellars:
Member Reviews for Cline Cellars Zinfandel Contra Costa County Big Break
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Very very jammy, with loads of berry fruit up front. Was a little sweeter than I like, but I think it would hold up well to intense dishes, either very rich or very spicy. I had it with pizza (sausage + mushroom + lots of Tabasco sauce!)
i've got a thing for hot zins lately but this one's a bit too hot. sterile nose and the flavors (which are good...not-quite-ripe strawberry, plenty of oak) are masked by the alcohol. it's 15.0 so not a surprise but i've had 16.0's that are much smoother.
Has way too much oak that covers up the other tastes that are struggling to get noticed, the alcohol also comes through strong in the finish
My review: http://enotheque.blogspot.com/2008/01/2006-cline-cellars-ancient-vines.html
I guess a lot of people like it, but I didn't think it was anything to write home about....
External Reviews for Cline Cellars Zinfandel Contra Costa County Big Break
This mouth-coating Zinfandel offers flavors of toasted caramel and dark berries. With soft tannins and a lasting vanilla finish, the Ancient Vine Zin is dangerously easy drinking.
Wine Tasting NotesEucalyptus mint, firm structure and exotic spice are key elements in our Big Break Zinfandel. Always one of our most robust wines, the vintage oozes with power, revealing crisp dark wild berries, hints of dark chocolate with vanilla and spicy oak. A distinct dusty berry character (reminiscent of picking wild black berries in the hot summer sun), what we affectionately describe as our "Oakley terroir," effuses predominately from this wine. This "Big Break" Zinfandel, which can be enjoyed young, should also benefit from 5 to 7 years of cellaring.
Fred Cline has restored some of California's oldest vineyards. Even his value-driven baseline bottling is bona fide old-vine Zinfandel. The age of the vines shows in the intense complexity of this excellent full-bodied red.
Cline Cellars Zinfandel 2006 Sonoma and all other wine from Cline Cellars are readily available to ship at discount prices. We carry many premium wine from across the world.
Fred Cline has restored some of California's oldest vineyards. Even this wine, at this price, is old vine Zinfandel. It shows in complexity and intensity.
Wine Tasting NotesAs always the California Zinfandel is a challenging and rewarding wine to produce. Severe selection criteria and master blending show in the final product, which showcases a wide array of dark berry fruit including black cherry and raspberry. Additionally, spice notes and a lasting finish of vanilla from oak aging and firm, supple tannins add complexity to this wine. This wine is ready to drink now and will continue to develop complexity over the next three to four years.
The 2006 Ancient Vines Zinfandel shows wonderful dusty raspberry, blackberry, white pepper and spice, with coffee and chocolate characters. Ripe fruit and soft tannins make this a mouth-coating rich vintage. Aging in new and used wood has lent this wine a subtle vanilla quality that nicely complements the explosive fruit notes. Enjoy now or cellar for 5 to 7 years.
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