J. Rickards

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J. Rickards 2008 Old Vine 1908 Brignoli Vineyard Zinfandel (Alexander Valley)

Price $28

Showing the intensely concentrated flavors of low-yielding old vines, this Zin is dense and rich in wild blackberry, briary blueberry, black pepper and cola flavors, with curious tastes that must come from the minerals in the earth. It’s a bit rustic, but who cares? Break out your best grilled meats and poultry and savor this wine, if you can find it. Production… — S.H. (4/1/2011)

points

J. Rickards 2009 Brown Barn Vineyard Petite Sirah (Alexander Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $24

A solid Petite Sirah. You can use it in a wine education class as a textbook example of the variety. It’s full bodied, tannic and rich in blackberry, blueberry, crème de cassis, cola, grilled meat and black pepper flavors, enhanced by oak. Should age effortlessly, without gaining complexity, for many years. — S.H. (2/1/2012)

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J. Rickards 2008 Five Sisters Blend Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley)

Price $34

This is a softly sophisticated Cabernet that will please fans of the variety who want a wine that’s a little earthier than your riper Napa Valley versions. It has herb and tobacco flavors, but there’s also a delicious sunburst of sweetly ripe cherries right in the middle that lasts through the finish. Should develop over the next 7–8 years. — S.H. (4/1/2011)

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J. Rickards 2008 Ancestor Selections Zinfandel (Alexander Valley)

Online Exclusive

Price $22

They can’t call the grapes old vine, because the vineyard is only 15 years old. But it was planted from clones that constituted an old vineyard that contained Petite Sirah, Carignane, Mataro and Alicante Bouschet. The wine is robust and rustic, with bright, briary berry fruit and spice flavors that will stand up well against any roasted meats. — S.H. (2/1/2012)

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J. Rickards 2007 Five Sisters Blend Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley)

Price $34

Despite some richly extracted blackberry and black currant flavors, this wine’s tannins and acids are out of whack. They give the wine a sharp, hard mouthfeel, and it actually turns bitter instead of spicy on the finish. Ready now. — S.H. (10/1/2010)

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J. Rickards 2008 Brown Barn Vineyard Petite Sirah (Alexander Valley)

Price $24

Comes down on Petite Sirah’s more rustic side, with lots of crunchy acidity and chewy tannins framing berry, cherry, dark chocolate and tobacco flavors. It’s a full-bodied sipper that should live for many years, without necessarily developing bottle complexity. — S.H. (4/1/2011)

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J. Rickards 2009 Five Sisters Blend Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley)

Online Exclusive

Price $34

Surprisingly thin for an Alexander Valley Cabernet, especially at this price. It’s clean and proper, being dry and softly tannic, but the cherry and blackberry flavors taste watered down. — S.H. (2/1/2012)

points

J. Rickards 2006 Voigt Family Vineyard Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley)

Online Exclusive

Price $24

Shows some ultraripe Porty flavors and bitterness that come from the tannins of raisin skins. That accentuates the dryness, and compromises what otherwise is a pleasant Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel. — S.H. (10/1/2010)

Most Reviewed Designations

Ancestor Selections Ancestor Selections Vineyard Brown Barn Vineyard Croft Vineyard Five Sisters Blend Old Vine 1908 Brignoli Vineyard Twilight Voigt Family Vineyard

Most Reviewed Varietals

Cabernet Sauvignon Petite Sirah Sauvignon Blanc White Blend Zinfandel

2007 Trump Brut SP Reserve

Rich and luscious scents of baked apple, dried pineapple, honeyed…

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