1999 Martinelli Zinfandel Jackass Hill Russian River Valley (California) – Zinfandel grape
“The 1999 Zinfandel Jackass Hill Vineyard (16.5% alcohol) reveals notes of lavender, jammy black raspberries and blackberries, smoky oak, soy, jus de viande, and a touch of volatile acidity, all of which explode in the nose and on the palate. Flamboyant, with excellent structure, immense body, and flavors of blackberries and smoky cherries that ooze across the palate, this is another prodigious wine that should be consumed over the next decade, although its power and force of character will keep it alive for 2-3 decades.” Rated 96 The Wine Advocate
2006 Neyers Zinfandel High Valley Vineyards Napa Valley (California) – Zinfandel grape
“The 2006 Zinfandel from High Valley (1,800-foot elevation) is my pick of this group, as it was in the previous vintage. Deep, beautiful briery fruit intermixed with black cherry, pepper, and earth jumps from the glass of this wine, which has beautiful density, good acidity, and a nice, powerful finish that combines purity and elegance. Drink it over the next 3-4 years.” Rated 91 The Wine Advocate
2004 Mr. Riggs Shiraz McLaren Vale (Australia) – Shiraz/Syrah grape
“The blockbuster 2004 Shiraz was aged 18 months in French oak (40% new). It is a wine of great intensity, with an opaque purple color as well as a gorgeous nose of camphor, graphite, blackberries, tar, and charcoal. Rich, super-pure fruit cascades over the palate of this opaque purple-colored, full-bodied, voluptuously-textured Shiraz. Consume it over the next 6-7 years.” Rated 95 The Wine Advocate
2003 Martinelli Syrah Zio Tony Ranch Gianna Marie Russian River Valley (California) – Shiraz/Syrah grape
“The 2003 Syrah Zio Tony Ranch Gianna Marie has only 14.9% alcohol, which almost makes it seem wimpy compared to their Zinfandels. There are 182 cases of this monster Syrah that boasts classic bacon fat aromas intermixed with blackberry liqueur, cassis, melted licorice, and pepper. This amazingly rich, full-bodied, unctuously textured wine should drink well for at least 10 years or more.”Rated 95 The Wine Advocate
2006 John Duval Shiraz Entity Barossa Valley (Australia) – Shiraz/Syrah grape
“The 2006 Entity is a 100% Shiraz cuvee exhibiting a bit more restraint than the Plexus. It presents an aromatic array of smoke, pepper, Asian spices, tar, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. On the palate it is full-bodied, smooth-textured, deep, and intensely flavored but not over the top. Its impeccable balance should permit 5-7 years of additional cellaring and it should offer prime drinking from 2014 to 2028. It, too, is a superb value.” Rated 94, Jay Miller, Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate