Norm's Tasting Notes
By: Norm Bentley
2012 Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel
#nb-44-13
TASTING TALKER ATTACHED
Old Vine Zinfandels usually make reference to grapes from vines in excess of twenty five years old. The 2012 Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel is produced from Contra Costa County, California's Oakley vineyards, where the age of the vines is between eighty and one hundred years old. When it comes to Zinfandel, older is almost always better, and this is a good example. I normally prefer Zin with pasta or steak, but if you like wine with hamburgers, this would be a great choice!
The color is a dark reddish purple. The nose is big and aggressive, with aromas of dark berries, which lead you to flavors of black raspberry, intermingled with black cherry and a kiss of strawberry. There is a presence of vanilla oak imparted by the wine's eight months in American oak barrels. The finish is mellow and lingering, with soft tannins which suggest another sip. The alcohol content is 14.5%.
In addition to pasta, steak, and burgers, this wine would also make a great companion for Duck a l' Orange with wild rice! Norm's score is 91.
Score: 91
Price: $12 - $17
Norm
Norm’s Tasting Notes can also be accessed at his blog: http://normwine.blogspot.com/
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