BIG Zinfandel

[Bucko]

1997 Louis Martini, Zinfandel, Gnarly Vine, Monte Rosso, Sonoma Valley, $40, 1,034 cases. This is a big wine - big fruit, big oak, big alcohol, big price - yet it all seems to come together to deliver an impressive wine. Raspberry jam and vanilla are in the forefront, with pepper and chocolate notes. It does not seem hot, even at 15% alcohol. As good as the Turley and Martinelli wines in the same price class.

Bucko

[chittychattykathy]

Bucko,
Did you visit with Mr. Martini while he was here in Washington last week? [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img] I agree with your discription, it is a Jam Jar of a Zin. And talk about old, gnarly vines!
By the way, anyone know off hand who has the oldest Zin vines in California?

[Bucko]

Nope......

Bucko

[Innkeeper]

Understand they come from the Mazoni Ranch near Geyserville.

[winoweenie]

I was told by the winemaker at Lytton Springs back in the late 70 that their oldest vines were the oldest in Calif. Bucko, I`ll sointenly get the Martini. Biale gets grapes from the Monte Rosso vineyard so on seeing your post I tried a 95. It`s a colossol jar of juice itself. I`ve been getting the Biale since their 95 which I think, may have been his 1st vintage. As an interesting aside, When Al Braunstein was planting Diamond Creek he had Louie up to look at the 3 different soils. Louie told Al that his Red Rock Terrace would be his best vineyard because the soil, micro-climate,and location was almost identical to Monte Rosso.Winoweenie