Tasting 2005 Papapietro Perry Zinfandel Elsbree Vineyard

• 2005 Papapietro Perry Zinfandel Elsbree Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (12/4/2009)
  I opened this to compare to a recent 2005 Papapietro Perry Pauline’s Vineyard Zin which I wasn’t too wild about.This wine was also a bit of a disappointment. Another Cellartracker TN said that they would have guessed this as a Pinot Noir. I was thinking the same thing! It possessed an overbearing stemmy green character that I associate with young Oregon and Burgundy. In Pinot, that’s not a bad thing. It’s a signal to hold, but I can’t say where this Russian River Valley Zin is going. Additional flavors of Christmas fruitcake with sour cherries, pine needles, and a hint of sage. A hot nose that also shows some sulfur. Light in body and a rather thin mouthfeel. Hold? Hurry up and drink? I really couldn’t say but since I have one bottle of the the Pauline’s and one of the Elsbree left and they’re obviously not wonderful now, I’ll wait and see if a few years in the cellar rounds them out. Next time, I will also pair with a tomato sauce. (83 pts.)

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