In a first here at Zinfandel Chronicles Headquarters I gave into the cry to open all three bottles featured in the May Installment of Pick My Next Bottle. It is worth noting that the 2013 Amapola Creek Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard was the actual winner with the Novy Zinfandel Papera Ranch Vineyard coming in second and the 2013 Joseph Swan Zinfandel Mancini Ranch Vineyard bringing up the rear. Voting was close though and as stated previously none of these producers had been featured on Zinfandel Chronicles since its inception over 5 years ago. With that in mind I decided to ope all 3 bottles. Rest assured this will not happen on a regular basis.
The vineyards represented here are some of the very best old vine Zinfandel sites in the state of California. Monte Rosso and Papera Ranch are legendary and with Carlisle bringing on Mancini Ranch in the recent past I have little doubt this vineyard will be worth following in the years to come.
None of the wines were decanted.
- 2011 Joseph Swan Zinfandel Mancini Ranch Vineyard – Ruby red in color. 13.3% ABV. Dusty red fruits, spice and a touch of leather on the nose. Medium body with ample acidity. Light, lively and incredibly refreshing. Bing cherries, raspberry liqueur and boysenberries on the palate. Fresh, low in alcohol yet packed with flavor. Zins just aren’t made like this very often. Bravo. Drink over the next 2-4 years. Purchased for $25 on WineBid. My rating: 92 points.
- 2013 Amapola Creek Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard – Violet in color. 16% ABV. Lush nose of juicy red and black fruits, pepper and earth. Medium to full body with loads of acidity. Plush and exceptionally well balanced. Blackberry, raspberry and pepper on the palate. The finish is long and pure. Powerful Zinfandel with the structure to drink well over the next 5-7 years. $45 at the winery and retail. My rating: 92 points.
- 2013 Novy Zinfandel Papera Ranch Vineyard – Bright crimson in color. 15.8% ABV. Soaring nose of sweet red fruits, brown sugar and licorice. Full bodied with medium to strong acidity. Super plush and rich on the palate. Flavors of sweet cherries, raspberries and baking spices. The finish is long and sweet. Delightful Zinfandel. Drink over the next 2-4 years. Purchased for $25 on WineBid. My rating: 93 points.
What a tremendous set of Zins. All great in their own right but if I had to pick one I would go with the Novy as it is right in my wheelhouse. Once again Papera Ranch rises to the top.
As always I appreciate the feedback, votes and comments on the monthly Pick My Next Bottle. Until next month!
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