I had my first bottle of this wine tonight with BBQ'd ribs. I agree with most of the previous comments; although, there was some noticeable heat, even with a double-decant. However, it is definitely a well-made wine for the money, imo, and should continue to improve for several years.

Anybody had this one lately?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: indybob,

IB,

I was thinking same thing. Been craving a zin and have one of these left that keeps staring at me. The eternal dilemna - Drink or hold?

Whitey

I had one last year and really enjoyed it, but thought it needed at least a few years if my memory is right. I ponied up for a case today and will likely pop one over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Heck, if you have one left. Hold, baby, hold.

quote:

Originally posted by indybob:
I had one last year and really enjoyed it, but thought it needed at least a few years if my memory is right. I ponied up for a case today and will likely pop one over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Heck, if you have one left. Hold, baby, hold.

Where did you find a case? I am not normally a Zin fan but I did have one of these last year and did enjoy it. Fortunately, I still have one left and had though about opening it on turkey day.

quote:

Originally posted by Altaholic:
Where did you find a case?

Kahn's in Indy got some last week. $24 a bottle (decent, considering the post top 10 award), they don't have much left, so if you're interested, shoot them a call in the morning. Let me know if I can facilitate anything.

I had this one in August and another two weeks ago. Still a little heat but not too much. Same flavor proile for both but one had lots of spice, which I liked, however not too much in the second bottle. Just the fruit and vanilla. The first one was definitely a 93-94 point wine, the second was closer to 90. Strange bottle variation there, I'd like to try another to see which it really is but I think I'll be holding off for another year or more on the ones I have left.

We had one 2 nights ago. This is a solid 90 point wine, easy to like, but it pales in comparison to the better Zins. We keep it around for non-wino company. Everybody likes it and it's inexpensive, a winning combination.

I am opening another bottle this weekend and I will come back and post my TN's. Fortunately for me I bought two cases just before it became #10 on WS Top 100.

If I recall there was a significant production of this wine and some of the differences between bottles can likely be attributed to bottle variation in a large production.

Last time I had it, about 6 months ago, I thought it still needed some more time - a year perhaps - in bottle before coming into its own. If you only have one bottle left I would hold for another 6 months to a year.

The two bottles that I have had were either dominated by oak or heat. I have both 750ml and 375ml formats, but I won't be opening any more until next summer.

I don't know if the large bottling run would matter mghomula, but you're right, it does sound like a LOT of bottle variation. Since I bought a case, I'm hoping for at least some consistency among bottles (assuming they're good ones!). I just may pop one this weekend, to see what's what.

I don't doubt that some bottles have been in the mid 90s, and that some have been in the 80s.

quote:

Originally posted by indybob:
Kahn's in Indy got some last week.

Thanks. Isn't Kahn's on the east side of 65? I am most likely going to be in Carmel early next week so I may call and have them hold a few for me - if they have any left.

quote:

Originally posted by Altaholic:

quote:

Originally posted by indybob:
Kahn's in Indy got some last week.

Thanks. Isn't Kahn's on the east side of 65? I am most likely going to be in Carmel early next week so I may call and have them hold a few for me - if they have any left.

Yes they are. Here's the addy: 5341 E Keystone Ave
You can google a map, but your best bet is to get off 465 on the eastside at 56th, go west a couple miles to Keystone, then south a couple of blocks to Kahn's. Either take Keystone north to Carmel, or wind back to 465, your choice.

Had one about a month ago, not much to add that hasn't already been said. Still to much heat, needs a couple more years.

I opened a bottle with my wife this weekend, and we finished it up over 24 hours. Very fresh, very balanced, very nice. If there's indeed bottle variation, I'm happy that the first one in my case is excellent. You can taste the juicy fruit, right off the vine. Nice tannins, better acidity than I remember, just a tad hot on the back end, with a nice finish. Drink or Hold, with upside. 92+