91+(?) 2002 Ravenswood Monte Rosso Zin 3/28/09 ($27)
Color: Deep cherry garnet. Still looks young. (3.0) Bouquet: Tart cherry and boysenberry propelled by excellent chalky acidity and briar. Lean, but intense. (3.0) Body: Light heavyweight with impressive acidity-based structure and excellent red fruits with some tannin. Coats the mouth. Well balanced and nimble for its size. (3.5) Flavor: Paralles bouquet with some lively cedar thrown in. (3.0) Finish: Parallels flavor. (3.0)
Overall: An excellent Sonoma Valley Zin with loads of chalky acidity, complementing distinctive fruit, briar and some cedary oak. The fruit is not as rich as it was when first released, but based on its structure this still needs 3-4 years to be at its best, if the fruit can hold. (15.5)