Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

First, if you haven’t had this producers wines at 15-20 years of age, you’re missing some spectacular juice. I bought this at auction for $38-$40 a bottle and because I was unaware of its storage, I was prepared to short decant it. Well…until I pulled the cork, smelled it and saw the color. This nearly 20 year old bottling is still big but with nice integration & evolution. I would say it has another 5-8 years of good life in it.

The palate fruit is ruby, ripe and lush; blackberries, boysenberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum. Mid berry cola, dark chocolate to pudding, mocha powder, wet clay, light, black pepper, Asian spice, dry-ish tobacco, black licorice, some dry herbs-sage dominate, limestone, dry top soil, dry brush, used leather, sandlewood, fresh to slightly withering, dark, purple, red florals set/framed in violets and lavender. The acidity is near perfect. The well balanced, structured, knitted finish is excellent and lingers minutes. Steal for the price. Another excellent gourmet burger wine. Beef Patties from El Salchichero. — 3 years ago

John Osgood

9.0

Good Cali blend — 7 years ago

Randy Fuller

9.0

This yellow-gold wine rings the “old-style Cali” bell in all the right ways. A nose of apricots, mangoes and apples is helped along with the smell of buttered popcorn. Oak treats the palate as well, draping over the tropical fruit like a sunshade. The acidity is zesty, yet the mouthfeel tends toward creaminess due to the wine sitting on the lees for five months. The oak is a definite part of the wine, but the effect is softened enough so that it's a pleasure, not a pain. — 7 years ago

Jon Ruyle

9.1

Nice. Big fruit, but not as ripe as what I expected from a barossa Shiraz. Evolved with air. Finish only slightly herby. — 8 years ago

with Eugene

Mike

9.1

Quirky but nice — 11 years ago

Paul Mason

10

Our go to summer wine — 13 years ago

Douglas Braun

9.1

2018 Vintage - reductive style - lees style - baked apple, medium plus acidity — 4 years ago

Hugh O'Riordan

9.1

Dark and rich earth flavors. Very well balanced with good finish. It’s from Livermore not Australia! — 4 years ago

Jennifer Liu

9.2

39.97 from new season. Balanced. Round. Worth the price. Would buy again — 7 years ago

Rebecca Hamlin

9.2

Great from Trader Joe's! — 8 years ago

Ned Clark

9.6

Really excellent zin. — 9 years ago

Michael Washabaugh

9.1

Paired well with a lamb, eggplant purée, fava beans, piquolo pepper. Would also pair with a medium rare magret duck or other game. — 11 years ago

Rachael Ryan

Sommelier Quince Restaurant

9.8

Always surprised by these wines. Incredible concentration and still lively. — 12 years ago

Perry Atha

9.2

Wonderful Zin- enjoying the 2013 vintage- hint of tobacco - pairing with Salmon - Brisket- will definitely try again — 4 years ago

Robin Gerber

Partner Spotlight Brands

9.5

Tried this vintage a year ago and it was really good but tonight is in its prime. Sad it’s my last bottle. — 6 years ago

Patrick Derdeyn

9.2

Another last of its kind wine as the San Mateo moved to Alesia label after this vintage. This young blend is really singing right now with bright red fruit and cedar spice and well balanced acidity. A candidate for short term aging, but the freshness of the fruit really shines now. — 7 years ago

Jay Root

9.1

Peppery, acid, lighter on the fruit. This would pair really well with chili or a similar dish — 8 years ago

Nico J. Snyman

9.6

Tried the '90 recently, spoke of how amazing a producer of Californian Cabernet it is, but just needed a little more time, this '85 is well & truly on point, everything is in balance, there's fruit intensity yes, but the development/complexity/layers are really shining through, outstanding stuff. — 9 years ago

Jon Anderson

9.3

Savory. Interesting. Fantastic. — 12 years ago

Michael Shonblom

9.3

Sweet, fruity, mild spices that sustain. Holds its own — 13 years ago