Storybook Mountain Vineyards Zinfandel Mayacamas Range 2003

No where else on the planet does Zinfandel express itself so supremely as right here in the good ‘ole USA. While France lays claim to most of the benchmarks for the more “noble” varietals – Bordeaux blends, the Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays of Burgundy, Syrah from the Northern Rhone, etc – we can proudly say that while not native to the USA, the humble Zinfandel of Croatian origin thrives on our soils. Old vine patches in particular give wines of immense character, more than just the upfront “Carmen Miranda” or “call girl” styles that garner the high points by, well, you know who. read more...Zinfandel styles range across the board from round, warm, jammy, and slightly spicy to full blown, heavily extracted, and lavishly oaked. One of the few remaining examples of the understated “claret” style of zinfandel is this old vine, organically-farmed wine from Jerry Sepps, longtime proprietor with his wife of Storybook Mountain Vineyards. Elegant and supple with soft notes of blackberry, cherry, earth, tar, and mineral, the wine opens up beautifully with aeration or aging in the cellar.    (hide)

Rating: 89/100 - As reviewed in Wine Advocate # 162 on Dec-05

No written review

February 2009