Press

2006 Old Vines Zinfandel Truchard Vineyard, Napa Valley
90 points, Editor's Choice
"Shows all the Zinny character you could want, with masses of wild forest berries, sweet red currants, licorice, bacon, smoky sandalwood and peppery spices. The pedigree comes in the dryness and the fine balance of tannins, acids and oak. A firstrate, upscale Zin."
- S.H., Wine Enthusiast Magazine, February 2010 Download PDF

2004 Z-52 Old Vineyard Zinfandel, Clockspring Vineyard Download PDF of all press
87 points
"Keyed on good, well-ripened, blackberry fruit from first sniff all the way through to the end, this keenly defined Zin leaves no doubt at all as to its varietal makings. It is moderately full in body with early suppleness followed up by scant tannins and an acidy tang, but if its acids are hard to ignore, so too is the energy that they bring. Give it a couple of years, then pair it with sausages simmered in red sauce."
- Connoisseur's Guide to California Wine, May 2007

"Displays the deep purplish red colour typical of this area. Aromas of cherries, blackberry, rustic earth and raisins jump out of the glass and are followed by cocoa, cherry, ripe black fruit flavours. Good firm acids with hints of spice lead to a lingering finish."
- Will Krutzmann, The Wine Press, Monday Magazine, April 26-May 2, 2007

2003 Z-52 Old Vineyard Zinfandel, Clockspring Vineyard Download PDF of all press
"Brent Shortridge and Philip Zorn no strangers to fine wine have teamed up to produce Z-52 Old Vine Zinfandel from the Clockspring Vineyard in Amador County. The 2003 offering is an earthy, spicy zinfandel, chock full of black cherries and raspberries."
- L. Pierce Carson, The Napa Valley Register, February 3, 2005

88 points
"This single-vineyard wine showcases the ripeness and smoothness of Amador Zin at its best. It has briary, wild berry flavors, with a roasted coffee and chocolate finish. It s a rustic wine, which is a huge part of its appeal."
- S.H., Wine Enthusiast Magazine, December 1, 2005

2000 Z-52 Old Vineyard Zinfandel, Clockspring Vineyard Download PDF of all press
"A bit hot and peppery, for those sensitive to that sort of thing, but if you re big on warm-country Zin, you ll like the way this one takes over your mouth. Black currants, herbs, coffee, tobacco and spices, and totally dry."
- Wine Enthusiast Magazine, December 15, 2004

"This is a typically husky Amador County zinfandel, with pronounced raspberry and blackberry fruit listing toward port because of the ripeness of the fruit. The spiciness runs to both black and green peppercorns; the structure is fleshy with a firm spine; and both the alcohol and the oak are apparent without being crude. It's a big wine for big burgers."
- Mike Dunne, The Sacramento Bee, September 1, 2004

2006 Z-52 Old Vines Zinfandel, Agnes Vineyard, Lodi
Wine of the Week
Despite its modest price, however, this is no simple zinfandel. While dry, it does carry the lilting sweetness of oak, as well as a fleeting dash of black pepper. It's also deceptively complex, with facets that shift from berries and stems to walnuts and tar during a meal.
- Mike Dunne, The Sacramento Bee, May 5, 2010 Download PDF

87 points, Best Buy
" A great buy at this price for its richness and overall integrity. Has a medium body, with fine, fuzzy tannins and bone-dry, complex flavors of wild berries, currants, herbs, tobacco and tons of peppery spices."
- S.H., Wine Enthusiast Magazine, February 2010

Recommended
"Light garnet color with a whiff of smoke and vanilla on the nose; light in body but quite flavorful, with pleasant notes of cracked black pepper and licorice. Recommended."
- The Wine Buzz, Jan/Feb 2009 Download PDF

2005 Z-52 Old Vines Zinfandel, Agnes Vineyard, Lodi
90 points
"Medium crimson hue. Pretty aromas of raisin, plum and redwood. Rich texture on entry with chewy cherry, rhubarb and sweet vanilla-laced tannins. Sweet/sour red fruit on the finish with a smooth integration of subtle oaky notes."
- Wine News, October 2007 Download PDF

Highly Recommended
"Medium ruby; attractive, herbal, briary, peppery, very ripe blackberry fruit aroma with a hint of mocha and a slight barnyardy component; full body; big, intense, highly extracted, blackberry fruit flavors with a supple mouthfeel; full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Highly recommended"
- California Grapevine, June-July 2008 Download PDF

2004 Z-52 Old Vines Zinfandel, Agnes Vineyard, Lodi Download PDF of all press
86 points
"Seemingly riper, this broader-beamed working teases with a bit of dark chocolate and raspberryish fruit. It shows a nice bit of polish on entry, but that polish slips away as the wine coarsens and heat comes into play, and its fruit drops away just a little too soon to earn one-star endorsement."
- Connoisseur's Guide to California Wine, May 2007

'A dark cherry, rich garnet colour foretells the aromas to follow. Dark fruit aromas mingle with spices, earth, pepper, raisins and dates. The palate yields rich, almost port like flavours with hints of chocolate, pepper, vanilla, blackberry and plum. It finishes with soft tannins, good acid, and lingering dark fruit."
- Will Krutzmann, CSW, "The Wine Press", Monday Magazine, April 26 - May 2, 2007

2002 Z-52 Old Vines Zinfandel, Agnes Vineyard, Lodi Download PDF of all press
Wine of the Week
"In fact, Z-52...has released only two bottlings this year...The extra attention has paid off. Aged for nearly two years in both French and American oak, this Zin is both rich and robust with fruity flavors of blackberry and plum fruit, complemented with a hint of black pepper on the back palate. This summer, try it with some spicy barbecued ribs just off the grill."
- Novus Vinum, June 10, 2005

2001 Z-52 Old Vines Zinfandel, Agnes Vineyard, Lodi Download PDF of all press
Recommended. One of 8 panel picks from the 20 Lodi Zinfandels tasted from1999, 2000, 2001and 2002
“Shy nose with ripe jammy wild blackberry, cassis, cola and mocha flavors; toasty with firm tannins; green character on the slightly hot finish.”
- San Francisco Chronicle, September 30, 2004

"No problem getting the grapes ripe, to judge from the explosion of berry and chocolate flavors. You ll find some smooth tannins backing it all up. Feels just a bit rustic."
- Wine Enthusiast Magazine, December 15, 2004