Murphy-Goode Zinfandel Sonoma County Liar's Dice 2005

A beautiful Zin for drinking now. Softly gentle in texture, with crisp acidity, it's nice and dry, with complex flavors of wild berries, pepper, anise, tobacco, cedar and smoke.

[No tasting note given.]

Starts off with toasty spice notes, then moves on to pretty raspberry, plum and blackberry flavors. Tangy acidity makes it lively, and toasty oak tops it off. Long at the end.

This is a juicy, exuberantly-styled Zin from the reliable Murphy-Goode Winery. A very good value, the 2004 Zinfandel Liar's Dice (16,000 cases produced) possesses a conservative (for currant day Zinfandels) alcohol percentage of 14.5. Its deep ruby color is followed by big, juicy, extroverted aromas of black cherries, earth, underbrush, pepper, and Provencal spices. It possesses loads of character, a full-bodied palate, terrific fruit purity, and a lovely, savory texture. Drink it over the next 2-4 years.

A vibrant and jammy wine, with lively raspberry and pepper aromas and soft, supple black cherry and toasty vanilla flavors. Drink now through 2013.

A pleasing blend of cherry, cola and herb flavors that are couched in smooth-edged tannins.

Toasty nose, bright fruit, makes for a classy, creamy, zippy Zin. this is really a pleasure, balanced and forward and full of life. There are some nuances of tar and spice in a balanced, exceptionally lively, seductive wine.