Jay Kline

9.2

Presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet/orange color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and signs of significant sediment and rim variation. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of mostly dried and desiccated black and fruit: brambles, cherry, tobacco, dried flowers, old leather bound books, organic earth, and old wood. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose where there is a bit of a green streak that may be telling. The finish is medium+. Alcohol is medium.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Cabernet Sauvignon or blend thereof, a Tempranillo (or blend) or Sangiovese (or blend) from the United States, Spain or Italy. However, I think the fruit (though dried) is too forward facing to be from either Spain or Italy so I’m taking this to the United States. And because of the color, rim variation and sediment, I believe this has over 40 years of age. Final conclusion: this is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine from the United States, California, Napa from 1981. Whoa!!! It’s a Cary Gott-made Zinfandel from the bicentennial year! Dammit, I keep forgetting about Zinfandel. Proof once again, of this variety’s staying power. The tannin’s are wildly intense, still! So impressive. Drink now. — a month ago

Katie Jo Kohls

10

The 2014 is great! — 8 years ago

Christina Brink

9.5

Full bodied and fruity. Would be good with bbq meat or soft cheese. Also pleasant to drink on its own. — 10 years ago

Robert Toro

9.2

Thoroughly well made wine, medium viscosity — 10 years ago

Jacob Bennett

9.5

Monteviña 1991 Zinfandel — 12 years ago

Eduardo Preciado

9.8

Toque dulce muy agradable — 12 years ago

Pablo Montoya

9.2

Vino bastante equilibrado, bastante sencillo de tomar — 4 years ago

Ericsson

9.0

Probably the best wine by the glass I’ve tasted in a while. — 5 years ago

Nick Hollis

9.5

It's a rosé Zinfandel but is almost as sweet as a dessert wine — 7 years ago

Lisa Albertson

9.1

Very nice & not too sweet. Perfect for spring. No oak! Bright & light!! — 8 years ago

Nick Finarelli

9.0

Original vintage of TdO. — 10 years ago

Zane Fralick

Production Terra D'Oro Winery

10

As a Zin lover, this is the best Zin I've ever had the pleasure to taste. It is big fruit forward which is typical of modern Zins nowadays. Big purple legs, big jammy and cherry flavors. Bold on the palate and the closest you will get to a big Cab. Mild tannins and a beautiful lingering finish that ends with a gentle taste. Velvety vanilla and burnt butterscotch. This is the real deal folks. TDO old vines from the Deaver vineyard are 130 years old. — 10 years ago

Paul Weil

9.4

A great food wine from an ancient Italian varietal, this wine is full of jammy dark currants and cassis fruits. Lighter on the mouth than the deep ruby hue would suggest, it should pair well with any foods for which you would select a Zinfandel. — 12 years ago

Jeremiah Glazer

9.3

Excellent value. Blueberry fruit, leather, nice minerality, satisfying dry finish. — 4 years ago

Guy Acheson

9.0

Solid foothill Zin. — 5 years ago

with Joyce

Jennifer Gibson

9.5

Delicious from the first sip. — 8 years ago

Morgan Olsen

9.0

Not a traditional chard but excellent nonetheless — 9 years ago

Jake Hajer

9.1

2008 in 2016. Marshmallows, prunes, chocolate milk and high alc — 10 years ago

Xista

9.0

Refreshing, semi dry, peach notes — 11 years ago

Jeanne Morgan

9.3

My favorite — 12 years ago