Ravenswood Teldeschi Vineyard Zinfandel 2005

Some of the Teldeschi vines are 90 years old, and the grapes are the classic Italian-Californian field blend: Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Carignane. But Zinfandel is their favorite, so it's mostly Zinfandel.

Flavors of black pepper, vanilla, hints of smoke and tar intermingled with ripe fruit flavors-lots of luscious Bing cherries and sweet plums.

"Saturated purple. Explosively aromatic nose features powerful blackberry, candied plum and fruitcake notes and an exotic Asian spice element. Not at all heavy, though, with the palate showing impressively energetic red and dark berry flavors, molten tannins and a taut, youthful quality on the back. According to Peterson, "this is the best fruit out of Dry Creek Valley."
-International Wine Cellar 91-92

"With lots and lots of well-defined, optimally ripened blackberry and stone fruit notes leading the way in both its very deep, full-scaled aromas and wonderfully well-extracted flavors, this year's Teldeschi hits all the right varietal marks. It is at once endowed with zesty acidity and palpable tannins, yet both of those pieces of the puzzle are appropriately buffered by plenty of real fruit at its very heart. The wine's obvious richness may tempt some into early drinking, but this one is bound to get better and better if allowed three to five years in bottle."
-Connoisseurs' Guide 95/100