The gathering for our annual “Zin Din” saw the largest representation ever from Australia. Gary has already reviewed the Penna Lane but the group we had also included Piggs Peake, Cape Mentelle, Kangarilla Road, Groome, Rutherglen Estates, Wood Park, Buckshot Heathcote and Williams Selyem from California. Styles ranged from tight and bright through to the late harvest style. My general impression is that Rutherglen and Barossa can produce benchmark zin if the fruit is ripe and crop levels are not too high.
This wine always had great fruit on the nose that announced it as classic zin but it got better over the three days it was on the bench. On the first night the nose showed plum pudding, red berries and a bit of raisin but the palate was a little tight for the first hour, then it began to reveal its inner Zin. The power of the fruitcake and raisins gradually got overtaken by cherry and some blueberry that just rolled on complete with a little licorice on the finish, sort of like Pinot on steroids. A Zinful wine

Rated : 94 Points
Tasted : Jun08
Alcohol : 15%
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2008 - 2010