Ancient Peaks, Zinfandel, Santa Margarita Ranch

Ancient Peaks · California › Santa Margarita Ranch › United States of America

Red · Zinfandel

Critics

88 /100

Reviews

professional

Vintages

No vintages

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

Community Reviews

Reviews

87.6

Avg Score

Highest

Well balanced and more earthy than the typical fruit bomb zin's.

2014 vintage

Cranberries. Fell off within a few hours of opening.

2014 vintage

Very good! Bought at Fine Wine and Tastings on Main LWR.

2014 vintage

Over-extracted, tastes of oak and high alcohol - much higher than the 14.5% listed on bottle. Underlying that, there's some good zin brambly fruit, persistent strawberry, strawberry jam, decent acid, and some cinnamon and black pepper. A persistent finish that I find totally dry... not the worst zin as there's some good fruit underlying, but would be better with a lighter touch.

2014 vintage

Very nice but has to be drunk on the cool side at 60-62. Was great then but as it came up to room temp (69) started to get to sweet.

2014 vintage

Medium-dark color. Jammy but slightly green berry notes. Maybe some gooseberry in there. Easily drinkable, with enough acidity to make it interesting. Good with food.

2014 vintage

Overly sweet with a dull muted aftertaste. some may like this style. It's not for me.

2014 vintage

In a good way, this is a single purpose Zinfandel. It only exists to bring us upfront, over the top, juicy, plum, blackberry, blueberry, cherry and some red fruit goodness. As someone who has attended ZAP 9 times, really appreciate to taste one of these every once in a while. Typical dark purple but not opaque color. Just enough acid, tannins and American oak to keep things balanced and interesting.

2014 vintage

Clearly shows the Paso Robles terroir, and an excellent value. Almost, but not quite, too jammy after breathing for a bit. After a day under gas it became even sweeter, so I dumped the remainder.

2014 vintage

I am a Lodi fan, like the jammy taste. Not jammy but little peppery which i like and finishes a little dry. My wife says she tastes the nutmeg, hmmm For the right price point 14 or so would buy.

2009 vintage

Restrained, with good balance; drink up

2009 vintage

A very tasty QPR Zin. Drinks very nice- a little heavy on the oak (noticeable)- but good spice and fruit. Well done for ~$13

2009 vintage

Some prune going on, and a touch too Paso-like for my tastes, but overall this is a totally drinkable quaffer on the more restrained side. At $15, wouldn't buy again

2009 vintage

Decanted about 2 hrs. ahead. Deep ruby with a bit of orange at the edge. Nice nose of plums, cassis, graphite, with nutmeg notes, toward the cooked end of the scale. Rich yet friendly on the palate, as acids are not soft but not firm either. Flavors add in some cooked-fruit, pruney notes along with earth tones. Finishes quickly with low grip and light tannins. This is a very drinkable zin. It's friendly and a bit rich, but it doesn't …

2009 vintage

Yes, As others have said "juicy", very juicy! Nice taninns too boot. For the price (12.99) this is a special Zin....Won't age for long , but very drinkable now and maybe for a year or two. You will not be embarrass to pour this wine at your best summer barbeque.

2009 vintage

Ma che c'e? A zin from near Paso that's restrained, structured, and somewhat elegant? No jam, no over-extraction. Above completely drinkable, nearing tasty.

2009 vintage

Juicy raspberry and blueberry on the nose, follows thru on the palate, medium finish, good acidity. At the price point,about $14.99, a remarkable value.

2009 vintage

2012 ZAP: Grand Tasting and K&L Tasting; 1/20/2012-1/28/2012 (The Concourse, San Francisco, and K&L, Redwood City, California) : Tar, herbal nose; tar, black fruit, anise palate; medium-plus finish

2009 vintage

Big fruit on the nose, spicy on the palate. Fairly simple, and a little out of balance.

2009 vintage

11/23/11 - I wish I still had one of the '08's to do a direct comparison, but without that I'd say the this vintage shares the same characteristics. A very nice wine. I bought 4 bottles this time...need to buy more!

2009 vintage