Following on the releases last year that I found so promising, these wines, while still good, are not to my taste on the same level, showing much more overt oak influence.
2021 Chardonnay Estate Santa Cruz Mountains Monte Bello Estate Vineyard
The 2021 Estate Chardonnay is medium-full and steely and clear with apple and pear fruit, plus good acidic support. The wine drinks well now, but should improve over the next few years. Cork closure. 13.7% stated alcohol. 92/A
2021 Zinfandel East Bench Dry Creel Valley Sonoma County Funsten Ranch
This is rich, powerful Zinfandel that shows oak along with its brambleberry fruit. Alcohol is stated at 14.9%, but the wine is balanced and shows no hot finish. The wine drinks well now and should continue to do so for at least a decade. 100% Zinfandel. Cork closure. 89/B+
2021 Zinfandel Paso Robles Benito Dusi Ranch
The first day after opening, I found this wine quite disagreeable with earthy aromas and flavors and little-to-no fruit. With time, though, it has come around to yield an attractive wine with intense, deep, spicy dark fruits in a medium-weight body. The wine has sufficient acidity but is smooth on the palate. There are tannins here to reward aging, and just a very slight burn on the finish from high alcohol. If you drink now, I’d suggest decanting well in advance; otherwise, I suggest cellaring the wine for 4-5 years and it should keep well for a decade or more after that. 100% Zinfandel. Cork closure. 14.8% stated alcohol. 89/B+
2021 Geyserville Alexander Valley Sonoma County
This a rich, intense wine that needs powerful foods to match it; and notwithstanding the moderate acidity, the wine held up well to a creamy Brie de Meaux. The wine also needs plenty of time in the bottle unless you have a very high American oak tolerance; it’s really only on the third day after opening that I can begin to appreciate the wine. It is medium weight and has a creamy texture. The fruit is brambleberry and blackberry with chocolate and vanilla overtones from the oak. Despite the 14.8% stated alcohol, the wine is balanced and there is no hotness on the finish. I’d suggest cellaring this wine for a minimum of 6-8 years before approaching it. 76% Zinfandel, 10% Carignane, 6% Petite Sirah, 2% Alicante Bouschet. Cork closure. 90(+)/A
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