2007 Unti Vineyards Dry Creek Zinfandel

93 points and an Editors' Choice, Wine Enthusiast: "Here's a big, thick, full-bodied and extracted wine that captures the essence of Dry Creek Valley Zin. Its marked by extremely briary, brambly flavors of wild blue and black berries and cola. Then the spices kick in, starting with black pepper, ranging through cinnamon and star anise, and then finishing with black pepper. Totally, completely bone dry and quite tanninc and acidic, this Zinfandel needs rich fare, and should develop in the bottle over the next 4-5 years." (05/10) 93 points Wine & Spirits: "Classical Zin, this packs floral spice and layers of fruit into a juicy, velvet-textured red. Do you smell boyseberries, blackberries, currants, eucalyptus, violets, zinnias? Pick and choose what you like, they're all integrated into the fine balance and supple texture. The finish is firm, claret-like in its restraint. Delicious with roast quail, braised boar or other vineyard beasts." (02/11) From the Untis' 10-year-old Primitivo clone block planted next to the winery and a 30-year-old head-pruned block. The 2007 is a bit riper than we've come to expect from Unti due to the vintage's super small, concentrated berries and long growing season. Still, the wine retain's the balance and acidity you'd expect from Unti. Jammy and sweet, this will drink well over the next five years.