From the Cellar

Just because I started a website called OntarioWineReview.com doesn't mean it's All-Ontario-All-the-Time. When I kick back at night my mood (and sometimes my curiosity) decides my wine of choice. And the title should read, "Uncorked and Un-Screwed Tonight" ... but that just sounds wrong.

Ravenswood 2011 Big River Zinfandel

09 Sep 2014

(July 31, 2014) ... Today I can't imagine the Zinfandel landscape in California without Ravenswood on it; makers of great Zinfandels and their "No Wimpy Wines" moniker seem iconic- they hold up the banner for Zinfandel, and I'm not talking about that cheesy pink stuff your grandma calls Zinfandel - no these wines have a power and strength that is not for the feint of heart, while keeping the robust character of Zinfandel intact.  Ravenswood makes at least 9 different kinds of Zin from appellation specific Old Vines versions to single vineyard offerings, Ravenswood waves their Zinfandel flag high and proud ... it's just surprising that it has only been since 1976 that they have been on this landscape.

This Big River hails from the prestigious Alexander Valley where plenty of prestigious Cabernets have come.  Vines were planted in 1893, giving the vines the designation of what the Aussie's call tri-century (spanning 3 centuries:  1800 - 1900 - 2000).  This 14-acre vineyard straddles the Alexander Valley and Russian River appellations, but is considered part of the Alexander side.

Nose is full of rich plum, black cherry, vanilla, white pepper and sadly shows hints of its 15% alcohol when first opened, but give it about half an hour in the glass and that blows off.  Palate is big, rich, and gently spiced.  Alcohol seems to be well-integrated on the palate along with Christmas cake, cinnamon and fresh ground pepper on finish.  With time in the glass the wine develops a welcome smoky-plummy finish.

Therapy Vineyard 2006 Freud's Ego

06 Sep 2014

(July 25, 2014) ... I doubt this wine was meant to stand up for this long - but surprisingly it does have a little of itself left to give.  Nose is all peppery and spicy with dried fruit nuances, while the palate is crazy with pepper and oak.  Long gone are the chocolate, vanilla and black currants the black label describes ... but the palate claims a "toasty complexity" and "long fine-grained finish" - I would say it still delivers on that.

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