Catching up on some tasting notes

WINE TALK
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  • 2011 Carlisle Zinfandel Papera Ranch - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (1/26/2014)
    WOW. Best Zin I can ever remember having. I had heard some say 11 was actually good for Zin. If this is a sample, it must be true. Purple/magenta in color. The nose has boysenberries, brambles, slight leather and charred wood. Amazingly lush and thick texture. So smooth. No heat just deliciousness. The tart blueberry/black raspberries linger forever on the palate. I am sure this has loads of life left, but I can’t imagine waiting on it. Can it get any better? (95 pts.)
  • 2010 Stone the Crows Cabernet Sauvignon Three Twins Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley (1/26/2014)
    Pop and pour. On opening the nose is great. Deep with cassis, graphite, leather and slight minty notes. Not as good on the palate at first; just monolithic. After about an hour this really takes a jump. The black raspberries/cassis jump out. The wine expands showing some complexity. It add weight and deliciousness. After a couple of hours, the last glass is the best. Needs air or time right now, but I liked this very much. (93 pts.)
  • 2001 Bodegas Ramirez Rioja Reserva Ramirez de la Piscina - Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (1/26/2014)
    Nice wine. Certainly seems at peak. improved with about 15 minutes of air after opening. The nose is dusty with cherries and some vanilla. Medium bodied. quite smooth. No tannins to speak of. Slightly complex. Easy to drink. The cherries on the palate are more dried than fresh. Drink up. Tastes like old Rioja. duh. (89 pts.)
  • 2011 Saxum James Berry Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (1/19/2014)
    Purple/ruby in color. The nose is nice with black raspberries, leather, camphor and vanilla. On the palate, this is thinner than I have come to expect. There is a nice complexity and accessibility despite its youth. Slightly disjointed. I know this saw less oak than usual, but I taste it more. I have no doubt it will integrate over time. It a fantastic wine, but for my tastes, not as good as prior vintages. A great wine for the vintage though. I think it peaks in about 3 years and stays there for about 6 more. (92 pts.)

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