Yesterday evening after a tough day of work, with a sick kid at home, and the depleted Spurs about to play the even more depleted Mavs I decided to pop a 1994 Ravenswood Dickerson Zinfandel that I bought in a Once and Future case a year or two ago.
1994 Ravenswood Zinfandel Dickerson Vineyard: The bottle was in perfect condition with a beautiful high fill, though the cork broke into pieces even using a toro. The wine has been standing upright for a while, and poured clear with a reddish brickish color. With a bit of air, the nose opened up and showed sweet tobacco, tangy cherry, ligneous bramble, black licorice, and the faintest hint of camphor. The palate was lively with a nice balance of fruit and mature flavors, a touch of dried orange peel and wood, finishing with just a hint of bitters. A nice example of a good wine in great shape with 30 years of age. Not a barn burner that leaves you in silent contemplation, but a fun and superbly conditioned wine. 91ish.
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Fun! I got into wine around the time the ‘93/‘94 vintages were available and Zinfandel was one of the my gateway wines. Ravenswood was one of what I seem to recall were the three “Rs” (Renwood and Ridge were maybe the other two? Rabbit Ridge? Rombauer? Honestly—it’s been 30 years and thousands of bottles 
Ridge and Rosenblum.
Those early-mid 1990s Ravenswood wines were gateway drugs for so many wine geeks. Joel again makes a Dickerson (the future) and it’s still delicious.
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Rosenblum! Thanks—was driving me bonkers.
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My wife poured a glass without looking closely at the bottle last night (second night open) and was enjoying it and I commented not bad for a 30 year old Zinfandel and she was shocked to learn it was that old. Really great shape and stayed rock solid on night two.
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I just bought a ravenswood son 97’ and had it the other night… so funny I have actually not heard of this until just last week and now I’m seeing it all over social and now your post. The 97’ was so good, a little tight upon first taste, I tasted frequently over 4-5 hours and it opened up so nicely. Glad you enjoyed yours too. If I see anymore I will definitely be snatching up.
Cheers 
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