St. Jean used to make this reasonably priced zin, but they pulled up the vines near the end of the 90s to make room for more profitable Cabernet Sauvignon. This was our last bottle, with left over xmas roast and yorkshire.
Recognizably zin in both the nose and the mouth, it was powerful but has gained a certain elegance over the years, with very deep bitter chocolate flavors backing up a sweet bramble core. Good balance, not hot.
I don't get much chance to drink zin young or old, so this was an interesting bottle to me, and an argument for letting this grape sit around some.
Happy hols to all afw denizens.
-E