With a dinner of leftover BBQ and mesquite-smoked jerk chicken:
nose: mint/eucalyptus, initally some oak, pencil lead, berry fruit, later showing black pepper and tarry notes palate: smooth, medium-full bodied, berryish fruit, tha mint/eucalyptus thing, low acids, tarriness developing after an hour or so
Very nice Zin that stood up well to the wood smoke of the meats. It wasn't terribly complex, but held its own nonetheless.
Mark Lipton
Thats interesting. I don't recall ever noting any mint/eucalyptus in the Warrior Fire. I have in Karly's Bucks Ten Point Zin. Usually the Warrior Fire is rather spicy and very fruity. I don't think I have had the 2000. I'll check my wine cellar but I think I've got 2001, 2002.
Do you have any comments on Amador County Zins for 2000 in general as opposed to other years?
I just calls 'em like I sees 'em, Miles ;-)
I wouldn't argue with either of those descriptors. I usually prefer the Warrior Fires to the Bucks Ten Point, although in certain years the Bucks Ten Point is a good, lighter Zin.
I can't say that I do. I recall tasting the 2000s on our last visit there, and it certainly wasn't as weak a year in Amador as it was in the North Coast. This is where what Kermit Lynch calls the "vintage chart mentality" really breaks down: anyone who relies on the vintage characterization for Napa/Sonoma for Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, Amador or Anderson Valley is just plain out to lunch IMO. I'll see if Hugh Johnson has anything to say about this.
Mark Lipton
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