Marc Stubblefield

Wine Sales at Vino Carta and Kogod Wine Merchant

9.2

Yes, there's still oak here, but it has seamlessly integrated for the most part. Which leaves a deeply savory, herbal, red fruited Cab Franc that doesn't shy away from adding a little spice to the leather and tobacco. Some days you want the rustic log around the campfire, other days you want the La-Z-Boy. Best years still ahead, I think. — 9 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.2

Engraving party at The Wine Cabinet in Reston. Supposedly one of the first stores to get this wine into Northern Virginia. Thick, dark, opaque ruby red with purple hues. So thick it covered the glass. Nose was lovely and intriguing. Started of with a ton of black pepper, earthiness, dark chocolate and smoke. String tannins 8/10 with a moderate body. Needs at least 2 years before trying again. Very dry and austere finish. Ended with some cherry notes. Great wine bought two to go, getting both engraved. — 11 years ago

with Sean

Jon Campagna

9.0

Great small batch Zinfandel from a unique winery in Napa. Light enough to drink in summer but not lacking in complexity — 11 years ago

with Nicole

Mike Reis

Cicerone Monk's Kettle & Abbot's Cellar, Beer Writer SeriousEats

8.9

Orange oil, honeydew, Meyer lemon — 11 years ago

with Olivia

Matt Gilmore

9.2

Tasty dessert wine. Not as sweet and dense as a port. easy to drink. — 11 years ago

Chris DeBarr

8.9

Introducing a friend to the dark perfume of Zweogelt, in a 1 ltr crown cap closure. I enjoy the the black sun inside the fruits, the medium-light tannins, and the snap crackle pop of good acidity here. Versatile food wine that surprises rookies how very delightful a decent Zweogelt can be! (Which is why these crafty Austrians made the Z from a hybrid of St. Laurent & Blaufrankisch...) — 11 years ago

Fred Gustafson

9.7

Good balance. No longer made. — 13 years ago

JKT

9.2

CVed 10/28/16. Obvious notes of that cab franc herbal and peppery notes. Under that some dark fruits. Dark Ruby color. Body of acids and elegant floral nose that are very ripe. Good finish of floral notes minerality, unlike the other cabs. Z Auction. Opened 2/9/17 and yes it still holds. The nose still has the Cab Franc character but better balanced and palate is supple yet firm with good structure and a sense of soft tannins. Long finish that seems to show that dust character? Yum. Upping the score from 9 to 9.2 — 10 years ago

Kirk F

8.9

Right up your alley, Ricky Z! One of my first Bordeaux 'buy and holds'. Still going strong at 13 years and a nice complement to a bowl of chili on a cool fall afternoon. Glad I have a couple more resting in the cellar. — 10 years ago

with Michael, Mike and 2 others

Stephen Kirby

9.0

Nice, smooth. Comparable to Acrobat or A to Z, both of which I enjoy. — 11 years ago

with Amy

Mason Balistreri

Sommelier, International Wine Guild; Balistreri Vineyard; Sales, Joy Wine and Spirits

9.1

2011 vintage. Very ripe blackberry and bramble fruits with just a touch of garigue and brush terroir notes - this wine tastes very "old world" and is a fantastic value. There is a bit of oak here, but only enough to keep everything else balanced. — 11 years ago

with Raymond

Josh Dryer

9.1

Dark red color. Cab nose, cab on palate at the start. Then with air the zin comes forward. The wine gets very chocolate-y in the center and is nicely oaky making this something to drink with a big smile. The fruit leans to the black fruits but is not too ripe, the structure is still there. It's drinking well but all that chocolate indicates there's no hurry here. Supposed to be Merlot in this but I don't/can't see it. Sorry I only have one more bottle. 2010 vintage — 11 years ago

R Houle

9.4

This one was crazy out if the bottle. Aerated it twice and it calmed down considerably. Great body nice flavor acidity is right where it should be. Just enough jammy to compliment and not over power. A must buy again. — 12 years ago

JKT

9.1

CVed 10/28/16. Still a nice Ruby color despite the age. Nose has some Sherry aroma that blew away. Then it's a nice mix of Forest floor and leaves and black berries. On palate it is a balance of earthiness and mature fruits and leather and hints of tobacco and very long elegant and complex finish. A bit of dryness on the body. Very nice mature cab! Z Auction. Opened 6/11/17. The oxidative Sherry note more prominent than I remembered. Otherwise drinking nicely but did not go well with grilled steak pieces that turned out to be somewhat spicy. — 10 years ago

Peter Plaehn

9.1

A little pre-trade show catnip. Z-H is always beautiful. Touch of RS to balance it. — 11 years ago

Dana Weisbrodt

9.0

From a little research, it appears this bottle is actually a grape that's a cross between Cabernet Franc and Zweigelt (i know, be still your beating heart). It was perfect with the Slovak food at the Riverside Restaurant in the Chicago suburbs. The wine featured a berry forward nose, with deep earth notes underneath, a balanced tannin to acid structure, and a touch of herbaceousness. — 11 years ago

with Stefan

Tom Riley

9.3

Jamie nailed this one. Great structure and concentration. Only an hour on and just so pretty. Elegant but the body has some depth. Great acid, savory finish. Textbook A to Z... And then something else. Can't wait to see where my last two or three go in the coming years. Excellent wine! — 11 years ago

Genie Ko

9.0

Minerals and acid are throwing a sweet party together - we're all invited! 🎉 — 11 years ago

Kristen Davis

9.7

Still prefer A to Z for an Oregon Pinot but this was very good! — 12 years ago

Robyn Jacobsen

9.0

$25 @ City Cellars — 13 years ago