1993 Ravenswood Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard- USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (4/5/2020)
From the recent Ravenswood library sale, the cork disintegrated on opening, despite using the Durand opener. Despite that the wine was glorious. Still vibrant red berry fruit, enveloped by an entire spice cabinet and a richly earthy element. The structure was mostly resolved, but a backbone of acidity kept things in balance. Delicious.
Sounds great. Iām having a similar experience with the 1992 Belloni Zin right now. Hereās my note:
Orange/red color with brown rim. Big nose of sweet berries, brambly fruit, earth, and baking spices. Beautiful soft texture, with enough acidity and tannin to keep it lively. The palate is bursting with sweet cherry and raspberry, earthy notes, and some leather. Purchased from the library sale in 2019, and this exceeded my expectations.
Joel Petersen poured this at a Once & Future Pick Up a couple years back and it was everything you described. My daughter who is quite a good taster and evaluator of wine was visiting and when she tasted it exclaimed, āwhere the hell can I buy thisā.
David, how much air did you give it before consuming on night one? I opened a '93 Monte Rosso several weeks ago and after 90 minutes not much was going on - though it was nice. Didnāt have much of a chance to follow it as it was shared with three other folks at dinner.
But a few other of the Ravenswood library I opened a few weeks ago I gave a good three hours and they opened up quite nicely. Iāve got one more '93 Monte Rosso - would like to give this a better chance.
Love it - Nice work buddy! Iāve never had the 93, but the 94 MR is my 2nd favorite Ravenswood ever (incredible last I had it in 2018) next toā¦believe it or notā¦the 82 Sonoma County! JP confirmed it was all Teldeschi fruit, and it showed. Just a stunning wine consumed this past January.
Thanks for the tasting note. Iām glad to hear that the ā93 MR was not only alive, but kicking. I have the ā97 MR in my cellar and now I can let it stay in their a little longer without worry.