Bella, Big River Ranch Zinfandel, Alexander Valley

Bella · California › Alexander Valley › United States of America

Red · Zinfandel
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LWIN 1749148
Critics Average score from professional wine critics and publications.
89 /100
Reviews
10
professional

Vintages

No vintages

No vintage-specific entries have been added for this wine.

NV

Community Reviews

11
11
Reviews
89.2
Avg Score
92
Highest
Taster #1256 · Dec 27, 2014
92/100
This 12-year old zin is still holding its own. Excellent balance and structure, with moderate tannins and aciidity; drinking nicely now and probably for the next year or two.
2002 vintage
Taster #5060 · May 28, 2011
Really a great wine. Dark and jammy but smooth, not too spicy, but flavorful like a zin should be. I didn't think it was "over the hill" at all. I would definitely go back to Bella for more.
2002 vintage
Taster #1895 · Mar 6, 2011
84/100
Slightly over the hill; still substantial tannins and body, but an out-of-balance overripe fruit that tended to dominate.
2002 vintage
Taster #5744 · Nov 3, 2006
89/100
Spicy, peppery.
2002 vintage
Taster #6842 · Oct 30, 2006
88/100
From a wine club shipment. Very dark purple color. Good fruity zin, very jammy, blackberry and blueberry flavors dominate. A little overripe, slight alcohol notes. But a bit of acid noticeable in the finish. Overall, enjoyable zinfandel.
2002 vintage
Taster #6913 · Aug 12, 2006
89/100
Delicious wine. Nice and brambly-wild with also polished elements of clear wonderful fruit (blackberry and red currant along with some pecan (faint). Very good. 89 pts
2002 vintage
Taster #1538 · Feb 28, 2006
87/100
A touch bretty... reminded me of an italian in the mode of a Brunello. Rich and thick in texture w/ raspberry, blackberry and chocolate notes. Brett was a bit too off putting, much prefer the `01.
2002 vintage
Taster #2658 · Dec 1, 2005
91/100
A nose of red berry fruits, with raspberry and hedgerow/wild fruits in the mouth, a medium-bodied mouthfeel, good backbone, grippy tannins and a racy finish. This is what I love about Zinfandel. It is wild, yet elegant, racy, yet balanced, and vibrant and yet brooding at the same time. No other grape can combine these disparate elements so well. A delicious Zinfandel that will drink well for 4-5 more years.
2002 vintage
Taster #3134 · Oct 21, 2005
92/100
This is a huge, deeply satisfying wine. Almost like port.
2002 vintage
Taster #6913 · Oct 2, 2005
90/100
I wished I had more of this in the cellar as I really enjoy it. Vibrant without being gushing. Earthy and brambly without being twiggy or granolalike. And I want to say finesseful but only right at the edge -- it still let's you know it's a bit wild. 90pts.
2002 vintage
Taster #6913 · Apr 12, 2005
90/100
Big & juicy with sweet tannins and lovely choco-mocha notes. De-lish! 90 pts. Tasted at the winery in April 2005. This was the best of the lineup we drank. Recommended.
2002 vintage