2001 Rancho Zabaco Sonoma Heritage

[leatherman]

Price has remained $8.99 at my store for the last 4 vintages (got to love zero inflation)
and having liked the 99 and passed on the 00 decided to quaff this former fav. Ruby color with a very fresh & bright nose of gobs of sweet fruit and some cinnamon. On the palate there is a knockout of this fruit with no tannin (do they even use the skins?) so the finish is short but best of all its not hot. not for everyone but if you like your Zin bright & fruity with a touch of spice this is your lady. Better than the 99 but short of the 97 of course. 88 points.

[newsguy]

thanks for the review. i just noticed last week that the 01 sonoma heritage vines was hitting the shelves, but haven't tried it yet. i'm glad to hear you liked it. i LOVED the 97 (just drank my last bottle about 6 months ago; still VERY nice), thought the 98 was good, was disappointed with the 99 and haven't had the 00. i look forward to sipping the 01 soon.

and you ARE lucky that your price has stayed at $8.99. it's "only" $9.99 per at my regular store, but have seen it for as much as $12.99.

[leatherman]

Lucky Bastard to still have some 97's - I had lots but couldnt stop popping them and drank my last one about a year and a half ago [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/frown.gif[/img]
As for prices, my shop even has the RZ Dry Creek at only $10.99 which is very cheap. Cant wait for the 2001 Seghesio to come out. That is my fav $10-$14 zin

[newsguy]

yup, bought a case of the 97 and showed some control, purposely saving 2 bottles to drink in 2002 to see how it ages (very nice, thank you). $10.99 for the dry creek valley IS a steal. i really loved the 98, but was disappointed in the 99, thinking it tasted like a mouthful of tar. i look forward to the next bottling. my regular shop sells it for $12.99. only had the seghesio once at a tasting. will pickup up a bottle to try.

[leatherman]

Finished the bottle last night and very happy to report wine still very tasty, not better but just as good. drank this a little warmer than the first night which was consumed at around 55-60 whereas last night at around 65-70 which brought out more flavor but finish felt a little hot but overall the wine was still very good.

[newsguy]

i'll grab a bottle real soon...

and stopping by the wine locker last night i found that i have one bottle of the 97 left. lucky me [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/wink.gif[/img]