Carol Shelton Wines Zinfandel Rocky Reserve Florence Vineyard

In a good place, smooth

B.W likes

My last auction bottle showed a nose of plum, boysenberry, black cherry, and a hint of dry granite, same on the palate, big body, tasty, juicy fruit, mouth filling fruit, more earth driven than the last bottle with slightly less fruit suggests it has peaked, nevertheless, a geat expression of Rockpile Vineyard, and a long finish.

Nose of plum, boysenberry, and black cherry, same on the palate, big body, very tasty, juicy fruit, mouth filling fruit, and a long finish, one of two auction bottles for $18 for Rockpile Zinfandel-what a deal!!

This has softened since my last note. It may be peaking.

Tasting with Carol at FHE.

Thick, juicy, and ripe: welcome to flavor country. This packs a wallop of raspberry, raspberry jam, and boysenberry with a deft touch of oak that's present but not not obnoxious. The tannins are still grippy (although an hour-plus decant softened it up somewhat), so I'm laying down the rest of my bottles for at least 2 years. No doubt there is enough structure here to reward 5 or more years of patience.

Carol Shelton Winery (Santa Rosa, CA) : What a gorgeous Rockpile Zin. Aromas of boysenberry, plump blackberries, cola and earth. Full on the palate, with firm tannins and fresh acid. Blackberries, boysenberries, vanilla, mocha, earth and nutty flavors. Very complex and pure, this could use a decant or a year or two to show its full potential. A dangerously delicious Zin.

Dark cherry red color; appealing, tart berry, wild berry, ripe black fruit nose; tight, ripe black fruit, ripe berry, black cherry palate; medium-plus finish 91+ points