Showing items 1
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7
Optima 2003 Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley)
- Editors' Choice
- $25
Absolutely delicious, compulsively drinkable. This is quintessential Dry Creek Zin, robust yet fine, packed with sweet wild berry and fruit flavors, spicy and balanced. There’s a polish of raisins and chocolate on the finish that make it especially delightful.
— S.H.
(11/15/2005)
Optima 2006 Unfiltered Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley)
- $25
Some Zins are “claret style,” made with the elegant structure of Cabernet Sauvignon. Not this one. It’s pure, classic Dry Creek, showing that region’s robust, slightly rustic tannins, explosive wild berry fruit and loads of briary, peppery tannins. It’s a very fine Zin that calls for upscale beef, pork and chicken dishes.
— S.H.
(12/31/2009)
Optima 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley)
- $40
Alexander Valley Cabs can have an earthiness, a dried thyme and dill character. But that doesn’t mean a wine like this doesn’t have complexity and interest. The entry isn’t super-fruity, but the finish is rich in black currants, in this dry, balanced and nuanced wine.
— S.H.
(11/15/2005)
Optima 2006 Petite Sirah (Dry Creek Valley)
- Online Exclusive
- $32
Strong, ripe and tannic, in the way of Petite Sirah, with powerful flavors of ripe berries, dried fruits, currants, dark chocolate and peppery spices. It’s a dark, full-bodied and dry wine, with a rustic mouthfeel that calls for barbecue. Will age for many years.
— S.H.
(12/31/2009)
Optima 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley)
- Online Exclusive
- $35
Pretty obvious in sun-ripened blackberries and cherries that are sweet and jammy, while sweet oak adds vanilla and caramel richness. It’s all flavor but not much structure. Drink now.
— S.H.
(12/31/2009)
Optima 2006 Orgaz Zinfandel Port (Dry Creek Valley)
- Online Exclusive
- $26
Everything’s nice about this dessert wine except for the thinness of flavor. It’s honey-sweet, with firm tannins and a bracing jolt of warming alcohol, with sweet caramelization from wood. But the fruit is dilute. Needs greater concentration.
— S.H.
(2/1/2010)
Optima 2003 Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley)
- $13
Seems like there’s a lot of blush wines from major varieties and good appellations out there these days. This dry wine is fairly fruity and simple, with good acidity.
— S.H.
(12/16/2004)
Showing items 1
through 7 of
7
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2009 Chronicle Cerise Vineyard
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