2020 Scott Harvey Mountain Selection Zinfandel, Amador County
93 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Tasting Notes
Fruit-forward, rich full flavors expressing both the varietal and the Amador Terroir. This complex spicy wine has notes of bright raspberry, dark fruit, and briary Zinfandel character with a fresh finish.
Vineyard/Vintage Notes
Amador County is extremely well suited to Zinfandel. Zinfandel has been grown in the Amador County Gold Rush area for over 150 years. These old head-pruned dryland farmed vineyards produce low yields of extractive flavorful Zinfandel.
Winemaker’s Notes
Grown on steep mountainous terrain in the higher elevations of the Shenandoah Valley of Amador County, California. 2020 had an early bud break causing an early harvest with an even growing season without any heat spikes or prolonged cold spells. It produced an average size to slightly larger than average size crop of high-quality dark and flavorful fruit. Unlike last year, all the varieties fared well except Petite Sirah. A picture-perfect year for vines and fruit. Photos from this year will be the ones used in promotional materials for years to come.
Specs
Blend: 100% Amador County, 97% Zinfandel, 3% Petite Syrah
After decades of creating and crafting premium wines for wineries like Santino and Folie a Deux – and putting Amador County on the map as a world-class appellation – Scott Harvey launched his own winery in 2004. With decades of winemaking experience on two continents, it’s no wonder his wines have become an immediate sensation. It’s an overnight success 35 years in the making. (Oh, and Scott’s not too shabby with a pen, either.)
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, WY
Scott, I’ve been drinking your wines for years and always appreciated the old world style of wines you have made. I noticed in the specs 15.5% alcohol. Brings me back to my Paul Draper Zins. I’ll be in for at least for a half case, but wanted to check on the alcohol content. Cheers
Hi Everyone, great to be back on Casemates. Yes the alcohol did creep up in this vintage. I didn’t pick up excessive heat. The wine seems to handle it well. I de-alced it in the lab and the wine tasted better left alone. The next vintages are back to my normal 14.5% alcohols.
Cheers, Scott
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
2020 Scott Harvey Mountain Selection Zinfandel - $20 = 10.52%
Scott Harvey 2020 Zinfandel Amador County Mountain Selection
We’ve bought this wine on Casemates before and thoroughly enjoyed it. I don’t remember the vintage year of our previous purchase, but my hunch is we are going to like this one very much as well!
Aroma – Spicy, suggestions of clove, pepper and perhaps something else, also a little bit of earthiness. Definitely fruity, but hard to pin down. Maybe some pomegranate and more, maybe strawberries? Very appealing smell makes one want to jump in and swim around in it!
Taste – Spiciness is certainly there, but hard to narrow down, pepper and cinnamon? Initial burst of fruit and tannins tingle the tongue in a really good way, but the wine is not at all sweet. Peaches? Pineapple? Other fruits? It certainly has that typical Zinfandel complex mix of fruit tastes.
With food – It was a quick sheet pan night of roasted hot Italian sausages, red peppers and onion, along with a spicy potato salad. The food only increased the flavors already tasted and the overall yumminess of the wine! This Zin holds up to spicy, savory food with confidence.
Second day – There wasn’t a whole lot left, but I corked the bottle and put it in the fridge overnight, taking it out and onto the counter in the morning. We got two small glasses and it is still good, but different. Everything – appearance, aroma, taste – all seem “heavier.” It doesn’t appear as bright and clear as yesterday, there is a definite additional prune-ish aroma, and the wonderful, initial tingle on the tongue is mostly gone. Still, nothing unpleasant, but not as good as yesterday. Makes me wonder if putting it in the fridge overnight and then taking it out this morning could have anything to do with that?
In conclusion – Silky, smooth, delicious. Nothing rough or unsatisfying about it, maybe even better than I remember the last purchase! But seems best on the first day.
Much thanks to Alice and Wine Country Connect for the opportunity to LabRat a very nice wine.
This Zin is sure to bring a smile. Nuanced aromas and flavors suggest fresh river water, wet rock minerality, rose, violet, cranberry, strawberry, rhubarb and fennel, all sprinkled with hints of chocolate, star anise and touches of wood. Tannins are coarse but mature, and well met by the exciting fruit concentration. The finish lingers. 3/1/23
At 15.5 I bet it does bring a smile…not that there is anything wrong with smiling…ha!
And we can’t forget Wilfred Wong:
COMMENTARY: The 2020 Scott Harvey Mountain Selection Zinfandel delivers excellent richness with a lovely balance. TASTING NOTES: This wine shows aromas and flavors of bright berries and black licorice, with hints of spice and jam. Pair it with a rosemary and garlic-infused roast leg of lamb. (Tasted: February 12, 2023, San Francisco, CA)
Thanks for the great lab rat reports. I poured the wine at a local Nugget Sore yesterday and had a lot of fun with a lot of happy customers. Will keep checking the board throughout the day. Cheers, Scott
Case for my parents and a 6-pack for us. Looking forward to being out in Cali next month for our anniversary…hopefully we’ll be able to stop by for a visit Scott.
Just did a gourmet wine lunch at the winery. Luckily we did it inside with this heat. Great time. Headed out to New Jersey tomorrow to work the market for a week. Will be getting on the board in between flights. Cheers, Scott
@chipgreen@ScottHarveyWine@thinksno16 It’s interaction like this that makes me appreciate this community and the sometimes-great offers and winemaker participation. though I’m not near Ohio anyway; it’s the thought that counts.
Strange as it seems, this is our favorite of Scott’s Zins. Restrained alcohol, elegant, European style. RuthE likes it better than any of my wines. Annoying, really. But I know she will be thrilled to open this.
@winesmith Makes sense, it carries it well as you say. Hey, although I typically shy away from 15+ can’t say there are not a few in my cellar. Had a 15.5 white in my hand when I typed that this morn. Never say never
Labrat reporting!
Initial pop and pour: Red color with a very slight hint of purple. Translucent, not opaque. Almost luminescent in the glass.
Initial whiff: blackberries, plums, and is that dust? It’s almost rutherfordian in character, but this puppy didn’t grow anywhere near that region.
Initial sip: Whow! Is that tannins I detect? In abundance? Why yes, they are! Plums, black cherries, blackberries. And the finish goes on for ages!
This is almost the definition of Amador Zin, in fact I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a picture of this wine in the dictionary under that entry. And it’s Scott Harvey! You can’t go wrong with this offering. Oh, and my wife likes it as well, and she’s the better taster.
Laterz: it’s smoothed out a bit, the tannins have stepped back. It still has some acidity; that is not going away, but it’s a good thing!
I think this will be good company with the Scott Harvey 2017 Mountain Selection Barbera that I have in the basement. . In for a case.
/giphy ashamedly-kooky-twig
Hi Everyone, Getting ready to leave for the airport on my way to New Jersey via Las Vegas. Will get back on through out the day. Joatmon, thanks for the great Labrat report. Cheers, Scott
So I’m the guest cluemeister for a few days. Fifty years ago my best friend from the wine industry was making wine from part of this vineyard planted by an immigrant great grandpa.
2020 Scott Harvey Mountain Selection Zinfandel, Amador County
93 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Tasting Notes
Vineyard/Vintage Notes
Winemaker’s Notes
Specs
What’s Included
6-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$360.00/Case for 12x 2020 Scott Harvey Mountain Selection Zinfandel, Amador County at Scott Harvey Wines
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Aug 14 - Wednesday, Aug 16
2020 Scott Harvey Mountain Selection Zinfandel
6 bottles for $94.99 $15.83/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $169.99 $14.17/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
Scott, I’ve been drinking your wines for years and always appreciated the old world style of wines you have made. I noticed in the specs 15.5% alcohol. Brings me back to my Paul Draper Zins. I’ll be in for at least for a half case, but wanted to check on the alcohol content. Cheers
@Leatherchair
Hi Everyone, great to be back on Casemates. Yes the alcohol did creep up in this vintage. I didn’t pick up excessive heat. The wine seems to handle it well. I de-alced it in the lab and the wine tasted better left alone. The next vintages are back to my normal 14.5% alcohols.
Cheers, Scott
Alcohol is really creeping up! 15.5?!
Scott Harvey is an auto buy for me. This time I bought 2 cases because it never disappoints!
@mikepav Same. Autobuy for 2
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
2020 Scott Harvey Mountain Selection Zinfandel - $20 = 10.52%
Getting in early on this one!!! Autobuy!!
irreverent-nosy-grape
Scott Harvey 2020 Zinfandel Amador County Mountain Selection
We’ve bought this wine on Casemates before and thoroughly enjoyed it. I don’t remember the vintage year of our previous purchase, but my hunch is we are going to like this one very much as well!
Appearance – Deep, dark, quite clear crimson garnet. Long, lingering legs. Really nice-looking wine.
Aroma – Spicy, suggestions of clove, pepper and perhaps something else, also a little bit of earthiness. Definitely fruity, but hard to pin down. Maybe some pomegranate and more, maybe strawberries? Very appealing smell makes one want to jump in and swim around in it!
Taste – Spiciness is certainly there, but hard to narrow down, pepper and cinnamon? Initial burst of fruit and tannins tingle the tongue in a really good way, but the wine is not at all sweet. Peaches? Pineapple? Other fruits? It certainly has that typical Zinfandel complex mix of fruit tastes.
With food – It was a quick sheet pan night of roasted hot Italian sausages, red peppers and onion, along with a spicy potato salad. The food only increased the flavors already tasted and the overall yumminess of the wine! This Zin holds up to spicy, savory food with confidence.
Second day – There wasn’t a whole lot left, but I corked the bottle and put it in the fridge overnight, taking it out and onto the counter in the morning. We got two small glasses and it is still good, but different. Everything – appearance, aroma, taste – all seem “heavier.” It doesn’t appear as bright and clear as yesterday, there is a definite additional prune-ish aroma, and the wonderful, initial tingle on the tongue is mostly gone. Still, nothing unpleasant, but not as good as yesterday. Makes me wonder if putting it in the fridge overnight and then taking it out this morning could have anything to do with that?
In conclusion – Silky, smooth, delicious. Nothing rough or unsatisfying about it, maybe even better than I remember the last purchase! But seems best on the first day.
Much thanks to Alice and Wine Country Connect for the opportunity to LabRat a very nice wine.
That WE review:
This Zin is sure to bring a smile. Nuanced aromas and flavors suggest fresh river water, wet rock minerality, rose, violet, cranberry, strawberry, rhubarb and fennel, all sprinkled with hints of chocolate, star anise and touches of wood. Tannins are coarse but mature, and well met by the exciting fruit concentration. The finish lingers. 3/1/23
At 15.5 I bet it does bring a smile…not that there is anything wrong with smiling…ha!
And we can’t forget Wilfred Wong:
COMMENTARY: The 2020 Scott Harvey Mountain Selection Zinfandel delivers excellent richness with a lovely balance. TASTING NOTES: This wine shows aromas and flavors of bright berries and black licorice, with hints of spice and jam. Pair it with a rosemary and garlic-infused roast leg of lamb. (Tasted: February 12, 2023, San Francisco, CA)
fwiw
@kaolis ah yes, the classic wine flavors of “fresh river water”.
@kaolis @TimW at least it’s “fresh”
@kaolis @pmarin
/giphy taste of fresh river water
@kaolis @TimW Aahhh, Leland!
Glad I checked, we both like Scott Harvey wines, very tasty! Don’t really hsve room for a case, but will find something to drink to make room!!
/giphy perpetual-amusing-mine
/giphy minor-giddy-eel
Thanks for the great lab rat reports. I poured the wine at a local Nugget Sore yesterday and had a lot of fun with a lot of happy customers. Will keep checking the board throughout the day. Cheers, Scott
Case for my parents and a 6-pack for us. Looking forward to being out in Cali next month for our anniversary…hopefully we’ll be able to stop by for a visit Scott.
@HitAnyKey42 any chance you’ll make it down to the LA area? We’d love to see you!
Just Popped-N-Poured a 2013.
Built for the long-haul.
Very Old-World and Very Delicious.
This one’s only 14.5%.
I’m in…like there was any doubt…
Just did a gourmet wine lunch at the winery. Luckily we did it inside with this heat. Great time. Headed out to New Jersey tomorrow to work the market for a week. Will be getting on the board in between flights. Cheers, Scott
@ScottHarveyWine Jealous. And wondering how this juice will pair with a pork roll and cheese
@scottharveywine
No Ohio this time around?
@thinksno16 checking on this.
@thinksno16 We have a trip planned for Ohio to see Jana’s family in Cleveland. Let me check with her on when. Maybe we can schedule a Casemates event.
@ScottHarveyWine @thinksno16
Yes, please!
@thinksno16 I’m also waiting to hear about Ohio.
@chipgreen @ScottHarveyWine @thinksno16 It’s interaction like this that makes me appreciate this community and the sometimes-great offers and winemaker participation. though I’m not near Ohio anyway; it’s the thought that counts.
@ScottHarveyWine love it! We’d be in!
Strange as it seems, this is our favorite of Scott’s Zins. Restrained alcohol, elegant, European style. RuthE likes it better than any of my wines. Annoying, really. But I know she will be thrilled to open this.
@winesmith 15.5 is restrained? Now that’s a sure sign global warming is real…ha!
@winesmith Hi Clark, Thanks for piping in. My best to RuthE. Cheers, Scott
@kaolis I guess I mean that it carries it well and isn’t raisiny. Smells like Zinfandel, not prunes.
@winesmith Makes sense, it carries it well as you say. Hey, although I typically shy away from 15+ can’t say there are not a few in my cellar. Had a 15.5 white in my hand when I typed that this morn. Never say never
Labrat reporting!
Initial pop and pour: Red color with a very slight hint of purple. Translucent, not opaque. Almost luminescent in the glass.
Initial whiff: blackberries, plums, and is that dust? It’s almost rutherfordian in character, but this puppy didn’t grow anywhere near that region.
Initial sip: Whow! Is that tannins I detect? In abundance? Why yes, they are! Plums, black cherries, blackberries. And the finish goes on for ages!
This is almost the definition of Amador Zin, in fact I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a picture of this wine in the dictionary under that entry. And it’s Scott Harvey! You can’t go wrong with this offering. Oh, and my wife likes it as well, and she’s the better taster.
Laterz: it’s smoothed out a bit, the tannins have stepped back. It still has some acidity; that is not going away, but it’s a good thing!
And again, I can’t get the labrat image on the posting to save my life.
I think this will be good company with the Scott Harvey 2017 Mountain Selection Barbera that I have in the basement.
. In for a case.
/giphy ashamedly-kooky-twig
Hi Everyone, Getting ready to leave for the airport on my way to New Jersey via Las Vegas. Will get back on through out the day. Joatmon, thanks for the great Labrat report. Cheers, Scott
This is the first time that Scott Harvey isn’t shipping to Ohio. What’s the deal?
/giphy replete-cocky-fight
/giphy emotional-packed-machine
/giphy abounding-inquisitive-tortellini
@pmarin now I’m hungry for tortellini.
Anyone in SF want to share a case? I also have free shipping.
Thanks(?) rats, winesmith, Scott - got a case - hope it ages well - many more ahead of this one in the drinking order.
So I’m the guest cluemeister for a few days. Fifty years ago my best friend from the wine industry was making wine from part of this vineyard planted by an immigrant great grandpa.
Yum & thanks