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New reviews of outstanding wines from the bold 2012 vintage

Tim Fish
Posted: November 3, 2014

Tasting Highlights bring the best wines from our editors most recent tastings to
WineSpectator.com members.
The 2012 vintage of California Zinfandel delivers a great big hug of bold fruit. And its about
timethat power was sorely missed in 2010 and 2011.
It was all about the weather. The 2012 growing season was almost Zen-like in its ease,
marking a significant change from the challenges of the previous two years. It was a long,
gently warm summer and fall in Northern California, without extreme heat or the threat of rain. Ravenswood made a powerful 2012 Zin
The only hitch was that the crop was a lot larger than anyone expected, contributing to a lack
of structure in some Zins. But the fruit is so friendly it hardly matters.

from the old vines in Sonoma's Old Hill

vineyard.

Ravenswood is the star of this weeks new releases. Anyone who follows my reviews of the
winerys Zinfandels knows that I was a fan in the early days, but have found them lacking for
a while now. I saw sparks of the old wines in recent vintages, and the 2012s make it official:
Ravenswood is back on its game.

See Also:

Winemaker Jeff Cohn also had excellent year in 2012. Youll notice his label is now Jeff Cohn,
not JC Cellars. Whatever the name, Cohn knows how to make Zin and has some great
vineyard sources.

Monday, October 27, 2014

Reviews of many more 2012s lie ahead. Ill keep you in the loop as I continue to taste.
RAVENSWOOD Zinfandel Sonoma Valley Old Hill Single Vineyard 2012 Score: 93 | $60
Powerful and deeply structured, with distinctive aromas of smoked pepper, black raspberry
and fruitcake spices. The flavors balance ripe tannins and lively acidity, offering notes of
blackberry, dark chocolate, licorice and mineral. Best from 2016 through 2024. 1,596 cases
made. T.F.
JEFF COHN Zinfandel Alexander Valley St. Peter's Church Vineyard 2012
Score: 92 | $42
Distinctive and deeply flavored, with aromas of currant, black licorice and bitter chocolate,
opening to complex and spirited notes of black cherry and smoky cracked pepper. Drink now
through 2022. 184 cases made. T.F.
JEFF COHN Zinfandel Paso Robles Isabel Dusi Vineyard 2012 Score: 92 | $38
Sleek and focused, with floral raspberry, loam and white pepper aromas and compelling,
complex flavors of cherry, toasty anise and mineral. Drink now through 2021. 143 cases
made. T.F.
JEFF COHN Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Rosendin Vineyard 2012 Score: 91 | $42
Dark and brooding, with blackberry and chunky chocolate aromas, leading to powerful flavors
of plum, licorice and cracked pepper. Best from 2017 through 2022. 75 cases made. T.F.
RAVENSWOOD Zinfandel Alexander Valley Big River Single Vineyard 2012

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11/4/2014 10:45 AM

10 Knockout California Zinfandels | Tasting Highlights | News & Features ...

http://www.winespectator.com/webfeature/show/id/50805

Score: 91 | $37
Big and ripe, focused and complex, with bold black cherry and toasty spice aromas leading to
jammy flavors of raspberry, mocha and spicy licorice. Drink now through 2022. 1,008 cases
made. T.F.

Saturday, November 15, 2014

High on Pritchard Hill, Brand Stakes

Its Claim
Saturday, November 15, 2014

JEFF COHN Zinfandel Napa Valley Hayne Vineyard 2012 Score: 90 | $42
Muscular and dense, with aromas of plum and dark chocolate, offering complex but slightly
closed flavors of blackberry, licorice and pepper. Hands off for now. Best from 2016 through
2022. 104 cases made. T.F.
QUIVIRA Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Reserve 2012 Score: 90 | $42
A bruiser, with black raspberry and spice aromas supporting deep, firm flavors of plum and
dark chocolate. Needs time. Best from 2016 through 2022. 1,000 cases made. T.F.

The Winemakers of Peter Michael

Winery
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RAVENSWOOD Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Teldeschi Single Vineyard 2012 Score: 90 | $37
Sleek and zesty, with floral raspberry and sage aromas, featuring structured, briary flavors of cherry, dried anise and white pepper.
Drink now through 2021. 4,032 cases made. T.F.
SEBASTIANI Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley 2012 Score: 90 | $36
A plush Zin, with black cherry and mocha notes followed by rich, ripe flavors of plum, licorice and spice. Drink now through 2020. 350
cases made. T.F.
ST. FRANCIS Zinfandel Sonoma County Three Valleys 2012 Score: 90 | $45
For fans of ripe and jammy wines, this offers aromas of cherry pie and spice, opening to supple, zesty flavors of raspberry, dried
sage and anise. Drink now through 2020. 750 cases made. T.F.

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11/4/2014 10:45 AM