Howell Mountain Vineyards Napa Valley Bear & Lion Old Vine Zinfandel 2005
Region: Napa Valley, California
Winery: Howell Mountain Vineyards
Variety: Zinfandel

Color: ruby

Nose: Whoa, lots of great black pepper, showing the characteristics of old vine Zin. I'd be interested to know if this is actually a field blend like most old vineyards. Great stuff of red fruit and a little dusty black fruit underneath that matches the spice and game in the nose.

Palate: The winemaker calls this jammy, but I think it's more nicely ripe old fruit, no New World jamminess, but more like deep fruit that is still nicely balanced with the bramble and acidity to be expected of old vine fruit. Had great tannic structure, as well, of that older fruit and spice. The tannin is also coming from that mountain fruit from the estate vineyards. Great stuff.

Posted by drxeno on March 16th, 2008 at 6:08pm | report comment