A Peter Weygandt Selection; Imported by Weygandt-Metzler, Unionville, PA

1984 Ravenswood Sonoma Valley Zinfandel Old Hill Ranch Vineyard, 13.8% alc.: Wow! This rusty garnet is more than just still alive! Lovely sweet oak, raspberry and spice, with nuances of cedar, both on the nose and in the mouth, and hints of earth and tar in the flavors. The tannins are mostly resolved, with good acidity and a long finish; even The Zinfidel likes it, saying, "Not too fruity!" Almost fully mature, yet still showing mostly primary fruit with few secondary characteristics. Zinfandel at its best.

1991 Ravenswood Sonoma Valley Zinfandel Old Hill Ranch Vineyard, 14.9% alc.: Just a hint of rust to the dark garnet color; I asked how people liked it and Frank responded, "If we hadn’t had the ’84, we’d have loved it!" An earthy wine, with a little tarry, sewery funk on the nose that eventually blows off to reveal a little chocolate. It gains a bunch of rasp-zinberry on the palate, with "very fine tannins" according to Bree, and good acidity. Lowell called it "velvety," adding that "it’s nice in its own right, but almost tastes watered down in comparison to the ’84." And you know something? He was right.

1992 Ravenswood Sonoma Valley Zinfandel Old Hill Ranch Vineyard, 14.5% alc.: Ruby dark garnet, with slightly funky vegetation over raspberry and blackberry on the nose; very earthy on the palate, with an almost pruney Rhône-ish quality to it. Not too tannic, decent acidity, a fairly long finish and a good match for Bree’s grilled leg of lamb and mixed grill. "This is great Zinfandel," our chef gushed; I’m not sure that I agree, but it’s certainly VERY GOOD Zinfandel, and might also go well with a good Red Wings hockey game, if you catch my meaning, if you get my drift…

1994 Ravenswood Sonoma Valley Zinfandel Old Hill Ranch Vineyard, 14.4% alc.: Frank was "not that impressed" with this dark garnet, but I found a pleasant raspberry and blackberry bouquet graced with a proverbial "kiss of sweet oak." These follow through nicely on the palate, with a bit of characteristic earthiness, some tannins still to lose, good acidity and a good finish. Good Zin, in my not so humble opinion.

1995 Ravenswood Sonoma Valley Zinfandel Old Hill Ranch Vineyard, 15% alc.: Lowell thought that this dark garnet "tastes like the ’91, velvety and slightly watered down." It shows a big ripe bouquet of "black raspberry, almost blackberry, like a Ridge Paso Robles," according to Bree. Kim added "just like a jelly jar," and Lowell added that it is "puckery dry." There are good tannins and acidity here, yet it’s quite drinkable with some air, but it could finish a little longer. Bree summed up his impressions by calling it "a bloomin’ greaseball of a wine, rich and jammy."

1996 Ravenswood Sonoma Valley Zinfandel Old Hill Ranch Vineyard, 14.8% alc.: This typically dark garnet Zin didn’t impress Frank that much; he got "licorice and little else" from it. It shows deeper, darker fruit than the last few selections, with good rich blackberry and plum flavors and aromas. It’s not too tannic, with good acidity and a decent, if not overly long finish. Bree said, "It really reflects the vintage, closed and structured.

1997 Ravenswood Sonoma Valley Zinfandel Old Hill Ranch Vineyard, 14.5% alc.: A deep dark garnet that goes great with "Fun House," by Iggy and the Stooges (which Kim stopped after only one tune), this is another one with overripe raspberry and blackberry flavors and aromas, good tannins and acidity and a nice finish. Give it some time to show its best.

These all showed much better than a year ago, quite likely because they were double decanted, giving them some much needed air.

"The ’95, ’96 and ’97 are still very young wines, but they give an idea of where they’re going, especially in comparison to the older vintages." - Bree

"These are excellent, not gag-me fruity." – Lowell (right, showing some surprise)

Frank’s Wild Years – ’84, ’91, ’92 and ’95.

Great friends, great food and great wine; it’s the old cliché, but damned if it isn’t true!