1999 Eric Ross Old Vine Zinfandel

[wondersofwine]

(Posted on another forum as well as this one).

Occidental Vineyard, Russian River Valley, CA
14.4% alcohol
Paid about $20--normally sold for $27-$30
Dark crimson color, shading to bright crimson at the rim.
Sweet dark raspberries on the nose along with the scent of cedar.
Lip-smacking dark fruit mixed with earthiness on the mid-palate and tea or cola flavors as secondary notes. Delivers a long, intense, ripe finish. Makes you a believer in old-vine Zin (which I already was from some of the DeLoach single vineyard examples).

[wbsurfer]

Recently was served 1999 Eric Ross old vines zin. Delicious. Would love to know where you purchased it. Would be worth drive to Fayetteville (I live in Raleigh). Thanks.

[wondersofwine]

Just saw your reply and question wbsurfer. No need to drive to Fayetteville. I purchased it in Raleigh! Try Carolina Wine Company on Hillsborough (out west of the State Fairgrounds almost to Cary). I believe they still have the Eric Ross. Another good Zinfandel they've been promoting is the Noah Duarte Zinfandel.

[maygoddess]

I am lucky enough to live in Napa and recently did a Zin tasting weekend through the Valley of The Moon area of SOnoma...Eric Ross was our last stop out of the 6 we decided to visit that day. Unfortunately my pallette was pretty burned out by then and it was hot..but we tasted 2-3 of the zins there and left with afew bottles. Not sure which right now as I am not near my stash..but everything we tasted was great and plan to go back over there with a fresher sense of taste and try some more! Definitely worth a buy!

[wondersofwine]

Let us know how it goes and look for the Occidental Old Vines on your next trip if that's not one you purchased.