This Benito Dusi Paso Robles Zinfandel is a vineyard designated, limited production wine. It is a vibrant, fruit-forward Zinfandel, boasting aromas of mocha, lively cherry, and smoky sage. Ripe black cherry jam flavors upon entry, with lively acidity and fruit-covered tannins in the mid-palate, are supported by a sweet oaky finish to round out the experience.
Pair this Zinfandel with a succulent filet mignon or an Italian inspired dish of pasta.
Vineyard Notes
The famous Benito Dusi Ranch is located in Paso Robles, approximately 40 miles north of San Luis Obispo, and is one of the oldest Zinfandel vineyards in the state of California. The vineyard is best known for its high quality, old vine Zinfandel grapes, which are grown on 90+ year old vines.
Benito Dusi Zinfandel is dry farmed and head pruned, and has been one of the premier vineyards of Paso Robles from the start. Piedra Creek has been producing Benito Dusi Zinfandel since 1979, the first vintage for sale was in 1986. Piedra Creek Winery is one of only two commercial wine producers to have access to the Benito Dusi grapes.
Elegant layers of wild berry and raspberry make up this fruit forward, vineyard designated, limited production Zinfandel. Just the right hint of white pepper rounds out the experience, a balance that can only be provided from the famous Benito Dusi 90+ year-old dry farmed, head-pruned, ancient Zinfandel vines.
1x 2014 Piedra Creek Winery Zinfandel, Paso Robles
2x 2015 Piedra Creek Winery Zinfandel, Paso Robles
Case:
4x 2014 Piedra Creek Winery Zinfandel, Paso Robles
8x 2015 Piedra Creek Winery Zinfandel, Paso Robles
Price Comparison
Not for sale online, $444/case MSRP
About The Winery
Winery: Piedra Creek Winery
Piedra Creek Winery was conceived atop a small knoll in the heart of the MacGregor Vineyard overlooking the beautiful Edna Valley of San Luis Obispo, California. In 1984 Piedra Creek Winery became the smallest bonded winery in the Edna Valley, if not the state of California, originally producing only a couple hundred cases of estate sourced Chardonnay. The ultra small batch wines quickly gained notoriety. The grapes used would not come from a selected vineyard, nor from blocks within vineyards, but rather from only the best sections of the 55 acre Chardonnay vineyard. The result: only the best fruit would be used to make the finest wines possible.
Owners Romeo “Meo” Zuech and his wife Margaret are legends for introducing grape varieties from the Alto Adige, Italy region to San Luis Obispo County and Edna Valley. Together they planted Gewürztraminer, Lagrein, Dornfelder, Marzamino, and Teroldego. Margaret and Meo were the first to bring the Lagrein grape to the United States from Meo’s homeland in Bolzano, Italy.
Meo will also be remembered for his legacy in the aerospace industry. He was a specialist in metallurgy and developed six metal alloys used in building multiple NASA space vehicles in the early 1970s and 1980s. The alloys he developed were used in the Apollo 11 Mission and moon landing, and played a key factor in returning the space shuttle back to earth.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
I was drafting up a comment on the original notes, but I see they were edited and corrected.
I was surprised when it initially claimed that this wine was from the oldest Zinfandel vineyard in CA, since I was quite certain that title belonged to the 1869 vineyard. I only believed that to be the case thanks to the history and involvement of both Scott Harvey and Vino Noceto here and on the old site. However, I’m by no means an expert on CA vineyards; far from it in fact. So I Googled it to be sure. The quote below confirmed it.
“The 1869 Old Vine Zinfandel vineyard is located in the Shenandoah Valley of Amador County. It is the oldest Zinfandel vineyard in California. It is also known as the Original Grandpere Vineyard. Only four wineries are able to purchase and make wine from this historic vineyard. These wineries are Andis Wines, Scott Harvey Wines, and Vino Noceto in the Amador County. The fourth winery, located in nearby Lodi, is Macchia Wines.”
The fact that this is still from “one of the oldest” Zinfandel vineyards in CA, combined with the case price, has my attention. This sounds like some quality juice. I look forward to hearing what any rats have to say.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
Piedra Creek Winery Zinfandel - $50 = 27.76%
Apologies for the formatting in advance. I’m stuck writing a lab rat report from my phone. I was awarded the golden ticket but ended having to travel with the bottle and try it away from home without my computer.
I had the Piedra Creek Zin 2014, on pnp I got aromas of tart cherry and something herbal, not grassy or barnyard. First taste was a bit astringent but not hot. Flavor was a tart cherry with a spice note that was almost but not black pepper, definitely not a peppery zin. There was a definite savory quality, sorta hinting to a syrahs’ almost meaty quality. The finish was juicy cherry, really activating the salivary glands. Seems like a decent amount of acid. But not tannic.
I didn’t get to pair this with much food but I had it with pistachio nuts and that was good. They had a good interaction with fat; I think the acid really shone here.
Also as time increased the savory note increased.
The color surprisingly was on the lighter end of the red spectrum, it was clear with good transparency.
I’m not sure this is my type of zin. It’s well made and complex but I like a bit more fruit and more of a peppery note. However, if this is in your wheelhouse the qpr is there.
@sdfreedive Thanks for descriptive review. But I’m puzzled by two phrases which to me, seem contradictory: “finish was juicy cherry” and “but I like a bit more fruit.” I’m probably not interpreting those the way you intended.
I tend to stay away from wines described as “fruit-forward” or “intense fruit” because of what I think of as that “juice” sensation which I don’t favor. So when you say it has “juicy cherry” but then you say you like “more fruit” makes me think those are different sensations the way your mean them. Perhaps by “more fruit” you mean more of a deeper, heavier, longer finish character?
@pmarin I do mean a more heavy fruit flavor. The finish of this wine is a savory cherry flavor. It’s definitely on the tart cherry as opposed to the sweet cherry side. The juicy note Was because of how active my salivary glands were. I apologize on the confusion. I’m a fan of more fruit and less herbal. I lean more towards Parker style wines but appreciate more restrained styles too, though this is a learning curve for me.
I’m a fan of more fruit and less herbal. I lean more towards Parker style wines but appreciate more restrained styles too,
This sort of information is always extremely helpful in rat reports because it lets us decide how much to take “[rat] likes this wine” and infer “I will like this wine”.
@Turner103200 Someone smarter than me will chime in…I’ve never had InZin but I’m aware of the flavor profile and I would think this is quite the opposite.
@kaolis@Turner103200
Can’t imagine these having much, other than Zin, in common. The InZin is decidedly ‘new world’ with it’s fruit forward profile and elevated RS.
[I’m not smarter than kaolis, just sayin’]
@kaolis@rjquillin
Thanks for the opinions regarding this question…I’m on the fence with this purchase, really need some zin but hesitant to purchase based on the rat review.
@kaolis@rjquillin@Turner103200 Not smart at all here…but I do recall that Scott adds up to 10% Forte to his InZin…so I would think this current offer wouldn’t be anything like it.
I am seriously interested since I am a huge zin fan, but this review of a previous vintage gives me serious pause. I know I shouldn’t immediately assume these vintages have similar issue, but I’d be curious what happened in 2008…
@vandemusser What a difference a reviewer makes huh? Found this while poking around because I might have some interest in this offer. Also not a disaster but 2008 apparently was a bit challenging vintage in the area.
Anyway, from tastings.com. Can’t find the notes, just the summary.
@kaolis@vandemusser The CT comments for the 2013 indicate this wine is very appreciated, at least by some people, and certainly is nowhere near over the hill.
With 13 cases stacked up in CA waiting for the polar vortex to end before shipping, I cannot possibly order this. However, if someone in the Twin Cities does, I’d go in for two or possibly four… if you can store them for me 'til the spring.
Sorry for the late lab rat report.
So I received a 2015 bottle of the zin. Upon initial opening it was all alcohol on the nose but a nice ruby red color. Full disclosure I did have a problem with some crystallization at the cork (see the photos) but I didn’t end up with any sentiment in the bottle.
First impressions was a tart cherry flavor with hints of black pepper at the finish initially. After it opened about 20 min later the alcohol was a lot less on the nose. Tart cherry, black pepper and some tobacco was tasted towards the finish. This wine also exhibits a lot of tannins. It also is a must with food. My wife who isn’t a big zin fan was really impressed with this wine. Corked the bottle and left it on the counter overnight.
Day 2 the alcohol on the nose is completely gone and the wine mellowed considerably. Not as tart with the cherry and some plum/currant qualities really show with the pepper and tobacco at the end. Tannins are astringent and it is lighter in the mouth feel.
I really enjoy this wine and for the case price its hard to beat. I’ll be in for a case.
@streets455@wnance
Actually, those are potassium tartrate crystals, aka wine diamonds; some consider them an indicator of a quality wine, or at least one that has not been cold stabilized.
@rjquillin@streets455@wnance Yes, good point about the crystals. Mass-produced “factory” wines rarely have these, because of additional processing done by the large producers for the retail (grocery store) market. But many say that the processing harms the wine’s character a bit, perhaps taking some of the “soul” out of the wine. So perhaps this wine “got some soul!”
On the other hand, small-production / artisan wines often have tartrate crystals, especially after a few years of aging. I once had a friend give me a bottle of a white wine from a small CA winery that his father co-owned. The same thing happened where I said “hey, it was good but there were these funny crystals in it!” – OK I was only about 22 at the time and a wine novice. And he explained to me what the crystals were and what they indicated, and that they were fine.
@streets455 The lighting on the glass threw me off, I was afraid it would be “thin” bodied; which it was not. It’s delicious and I’ll be waiting for this to come around again.
This one is right in my Casemates wheelhouse. Small, established winery whose label I would never see on a commercial shelf. A varietal I like. Two very well written rattages. Two vintages offered. And, a very attractive price point. In for a case!
2014 Piedra Creek Winery Zinfandel, Paso Robles
Tasting Notes
Vineyard Notes
Specs
2015 Piedra Creek Winery Zinfandel, Paso Robles
Tasting Notes
Specs
Included in the Box
3-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale online, $444/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Mar 8 - Wednesday, Mar 10
Piedra Creek Winery Zinfandel
3 bottles for $44.99 $15/bottle + $2.67/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $129.99 $10.83/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2014 Piedra Creek Winery Zinfandel
2015 Piedra Creek Winery Zinfandel
I was drafting up a comment on the original notes, but I see they were edited and corrected.
I was surprised when it initially claimed that this wine was from the oldest Zinfandel vineyard in CA, since I was quite certain that title belonged to the 1869 vineyard. I only believed that to be the case thanks to the history and involvement of both Scott Harvey and Vino Noceto here and on the old site. However, I’m by no means an expert on CA vineyards; far from it in fact. So I Googled it to be sure. The quote below confirmed it.
The fact that this is still from “one of the oldest” Zinfandel vineyards in CA, combined with the case price, has my attention. This sounds like some quality juice. I look forward to hearing what any rats have to say.
@kawichris650 A short read on old zin vineyards on WineBerserkers. There are a few posts about SH 1869
https://www.wineberserkers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=18190
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
Piedra Creek Winery Zinfandel - $50 = 27.76%
2014 Piedra Creek Winery Zinfandel
Apologies for the formatting in advance. I’m stuck writing a lab rat report from my phone. I was awarded the golden ticket but ended having to travel with the bottle and try it away from home without my computer.
I had the Piedra Creek Zin 2014, on pnp I got aromas of tart cherry and something herbal, not grassy or barnyard. First taste was a bit astringent but not hot. Flavor was a tart cherry with a spice note that was almost but not black pepper, definitely not a peppery zin. There was a definite savory quality, sorta hinting to a syrahs’ almost meaty quality. The finish was juicy cherry, really activating the salivary glands. Seems like a decent amount of acid. But not tannic.
I didn’t get to pair this with much food but I had it with pistachio nuts and that was good. They had a good interaction with fat; I think the acid really shone here.
Also as time increased the savory note increased.
The color surprisingly was on the lighter end of the red spectrum, it was clear with good transparency.
I’m not sure this is my type of zin. It’s well made and complex but I like a bit more fruit and more of a peppery note. However, if this is in your wheelhouse the qpr is there.
@sdfreedive Thanks for descriptive review. But I’m puzzled by two phrases which to me, seem contradictory: “finish was juicy cherry” and “but I like a bit more fruit.” I’m probably not interpreting those the way you intended.
I tend to stay away from wines described as “fruit-forward” or “intense fruit” because of what I think of as that “juice” sensation which I don’t favor. So when you say it has “juicy cherry” but then you say you like “more fruit” makes me think those are different sensations the way your mean them. Perhaps by “more fruit” you mean more of a deeper, heavier, longer finish character?
@pmarin I do mean a more heavy fruit flavor. The finish of this wine is a savory cherry flavor. It’s definitely on the tart cherry as opposed to the sweet cherry side. The juicy note Was because of how active my salivary glands were. I apologize on the confusion. I’m a fan of more fruit and less herbal. I lean more towards Parker style wines but appreciate more restrained styles too, though this is a learning curve for me.
@pmarin @sdfreedive
This sort of information is always extremely helpful in rat reports because it lets us decide how much to take “[rat] likes this wine” and infer “I will like this wine”.
Does this compare at all to the flavor profile of SH’s InZin?
@Turner103200 Someone smarter than me will chime in…I’ve never had InZin but I’m aware of the flavor profile and I would think this is quite the opposite.
@kaolis @Turner103200
Can’t imagine these having much, other than Zin, in common. The InZin is decidedly ‘new world’ with it’s fruit forward profile and elevated RS.
[I’m not smarter than kaolis, just sayin’]
@kaolis @rjquillin
Thanks for the opinions regarding this question…I’m on the fence with this purchase, really need some zin but hesitant to purchase based on the rat review.
@kaolis @rjquillin @Turner103200 Not smart at all here…but I do recall that Scott adds up to 10% Forte to his InZin…so I would think this current offer wouldn’t be anything like it.
@Turner103200. It would be better to compare it to his other Zins, as noted, Scott adds some of his Fortė to InZinerator,.
@MarkDaSpark thanks!!!
I am seriously interested since I am a huge zin fan, but this review of a previous vintage gives me serious pause. I know I shouldn’t immediately assume these vintages have similar issue, but I’d be curious what happened in 2008…
https://www.winemag.com/buying-guide/piedra-creek-2008-benito-dusi-vineyard-zinfandel-central-coast-paso-robles/
@vandemusser What a difference a reviewer makes huh? Found this while poking around because I might have some interest in this offer. Also not a disaster but 2008 apparently was a bit challenging vintage in the area.
Anyway, from tastings.com. Can’t find the notes, just the summary.
Piedra Creek 2008 Benito Dusi Vineyard, Zinfandel, Paso Robles, Gold Medal, Exceptional
Category: Zinfandel, Tasted In: 2012
Country: USA, Alcohol: 15.6%
@kaolis I’m almost wondering if WE just got a bad bottle. Would have thought they would recognize that before writing a review, though.
@kaolis @vandemusser The CT comments for the 2013 indicate this wine is very appreciated, at least by some people, and certainly is nowhere near over the hill.
With 13 cases stacked up in CA waiting for the polar vortex to end before shipping, I cannot possibly order this. However, if someone in the Twin Cities does, I’d go in for two or possibly four… if you can store them for me 'til the spring.
More useless reading material, a little background on Romeo “Meo” Zuech (1926-2017):
https://winehistoryproject.org/romeo-meo-zuech-1926-2017/
2015 Piedra Creek Winery Zinfandel, Paso Robles
Sorry for the late lab rat report.
So I received a 2015 bottle of the zin. Upon initial opening it was all alcohol on the nose but a nice ruby red color. Full disclosure I did have a problem with some crystallization at the cork (see the photos) but I didn’t end up with any sentiment in the bottle.
First impressions was a tart cherry flavor with hints of black pepper at the finish initially. After it opened about 20 min later the alcohol was a lot less on the nose. Tart cherry, black pepper and some tobacco was tasted towards the finish. This wine also exhibits a lot of tannins. It also is a must with food. My wife who isn’t a big zin fan was really impressed with this wine. Corked the bottle and left it on the counter overnight.
Day 2 the alcohol on the nose is completely gone and the wine mellowed considerably. Not as tart with the cherry and some plum/currant qualities really show with the pepper and tobacco at the end. Tannins are astringent and it is lighter in the mouth feel.
I really enjoy this wine and for the case price its hard to beat. I’ll be in for a case.
@streets455 Nothing wrong with titrate crystals and a little sediment in the wine. Not a flaw in any way.
@streets455 @wnance
Actually, those are potassium tartrate crystals, aka wine diamonds; some consider them an indicator of a quality wine, or at least one that has not been cold stabilized.
@rjquillin @wnance thats great knowledge to know!
And also thanks to Casemates and Alice for the chance to review this!
@rjquillin @streets455 @wnance Yes, good point about the crystals. Mass-produced “factory” wines rarely have these, because of additional processing done by the large producers for the retail (grocery store) market. But many say that the processing harms the wine’s character a bit, perhaps taking some of the “soul” out of the wine. So perhaps this wine “got some soul!”
On the other hand, small-production / artisan wines often have tartrate crystals, especially after a few years of aging. I once had a friend give me a bottle of a white wine from a small CA winery that his father co-owned. The same thing happened where I said “hey, it was good but there were these funny crystals in it!” – OK I was only about 22 at the time and a wine novice. And he explained to me what the crystals were and what they indicated, and that they were fine.
@pmarin @rjquillin Love it when see the ‘diamonds’
@streets455 The lighting on the glass threw me off, I was afraid it would be “thin” bodied; which it was not. It’s delicious and I’ll be waiting for this to come around again.
This one is right in my Casemates wheelhouse. Small, established winery whose label I would never see on a commercial shelf. A varietal I like. Two very well written rattages. Two vintages offered. And, a very attractive price point. In for a case!
/giphy adherent-advanced-library
/giphy goodhearted-confident-disease
/giphy waxing-rampant-crawdad
The small cellar is full but the everyday “just grab any of 'em, they’re all great” rack needs a restock. Case price rocks.
/giphy pushy-parasitic-custard
Got mine 2 days ago. Glad I ordered a case. Love the 2015 vintage. Haven’t tried the other yet. Cheers.
Killed off a bottle of the 2015 tonight; absolutely delicious!