1991 Topolos Zinfandel, Rossi Ranch, Sonoma County. I’ve been on a mission to try and find a reason to drink some of the large format bottles that always sound like a smart idea in my head when I buy them…but in actuality…end up sitting around in my cellar for years and years looking pretty. Had some of my boys over the other night before we hit up a Cam Cole concert (small venue and he freaking rocked!) So I ripped this 3L open. Cork in excellent shape and the wine poured a beautiful crimson red color with a nose of florals and spice that leapt from the glass. On the palate this was killer! Medium bodied and all about cherries and red fruits with just a hint of tobacco. Plenty of acidity and a long finish. More than anyone would expect or could ask for from a 32 year old zin! On second thought… maybe I should buy more big bottles
You lucked out, Rich. That was about the time their wines (Zin,Zin Ultimo,Cab,Alicante) started to show a raging level of VA.
Sometimes you win one.
Tom
Ahhhh, very interesting! Yep, the wine God’s were definitely smiling down upon me then as there was no VA in this one. Thanks for the heads up - now i feel even more lucky to have enjoyed it
I saw a couple of bottles of this show up at auction and I wondered how they would be doing now. I remember loving this wine at ZAP events in the early '90s, but hadn’t tried it in ages. When I checked Cellar Tracker a few months ago I saw Rich’s note and thought I would take a flier on the 750s. Well I am damn glad I did. This Zin was fantastic, still showing dark, brambly fruit, pepper and spice, and a bit of mint and a light amaro finish and was delicious with a grilled hangar steak. If I was served this blind I might have guessed a 15 year old Zin, not one over 30. A seriously delicious Zin, and one of the best aged ones I’ve had in the past 10 years.
I have great memories of these early 90s Topolos Rossi Ranch wines (the Alicante Bouchet was also wild). Anyone know what is going on with Rossi Ranch? It looks like folks were making Grenache from there and Carlisle made some Zinfandel but I’m not sure what is going on now.
Planted in 1910 by the Rossi Family, this must be one of the most picturesque vineyards in Sonoma County. Farmed organically, there are a variety of hills, undulations, and exposures, all surrounded by a mix of oak and pine/fir forest. Unfortunately, after the death of Val Rossi in 1999, the vineyard fell into disrepair and many of the old vines were lost, including large tracts of Alicante Bouschet and Grand Noir. New owners have completed a massive renovation of the vineyard, preserving not just the remaining old vines but all the original structures as well.
