LabRat checking in January 4th, 2021 the year of our lord.
Tin Barn Vineyards- 2014 Russian River Valley Sonoma County Zinfandel from the Gilsson Vineyard.
The look:
Deep but clear red luster of pomegranate hues. Long legs down the side of my glass after some swirling. Yes, alcohol is present (checked the bottle- 15.6%).
The nose:
Black berries, white pepper spice, oak, and vanilla, with a lot of alcohol smell to me. Smells even better when you take the mask off. I kid, i kid….
Smells younger than a 2014 in some ways- but this doesn’t translate that way when drinking- so onto that…
The mouth:
Soft oaky mouth feel and lingering earthly finish that is more tannic on your 1st glass, but mellows out. I’d drink this slowly as it gets more elegant over time, and let it sit in the air for a transformative experience.
The aftertaste:
Cedar and redwood flavors that mellows into a softer oak 15 seconds later.
The wrap up:
I would expect this bottle to fetch over $20 a bottle.
I love drinking Zin with turkey. I’d crack this bottle at the beginning of the meal and pour 2.5 second pours vs my typical 3.5 second pours, and finish the bottle after dinner was down discussing the events of the day with family or friends via Zoom chat.
It’s not young like I thought- ready to drink right now IMO.
Also, if you take the letters in the words “Tin Barn Zinfindel” can you rearrange them to spell “Finland Biz Intern”. I’m on to you Finnish business interns!
@ecue Trying to figure out what’s going through your pup’s mind…maybe something like, ok, enough is enough, can we lose the bottle?.. I’m trying to relax here…
It has been a while since I have been selected to review a wine for Casemates so getting the email notification was a welcome present for the holiday season!
The box arrived and I eagerly opened it. Inside was a handsome bottle of today’s wine, a 2014 Tin Barn Zinfandel. The bottle is nice looking. The AbV of 15.6% caught my eye and I wondered how “hot” this bottle would be. I wanted to let it sit in the wine fridge for a couple of days so that is what I did.
I like Zinfandel but my experience with them is mixed. A lot of them are thin and jammy while others are full bodied. I was looking forward to trying this one! Tasting day arrived and I removed it from the fridge and opened it. I let it sit on the counter awhile as I finished preparing dinner.
First pour revealed a dark red, almost purple wine. It almost looks too dark to be a Zin, so my interest was definitely piqued! It’s very pretty in the glass. Sorry, I didn’t get pictures this time.
The nose, all alcohol. Not surprising at 15.6%. I really got nothing else from the nose other than the heat.
First taste was a surprise. I got a mouthful of a full-bodied, smooth and earthy wine. I was expecting something tinny because of the alcohol but instead I got something very nice indeed. As I enjoyed the glass, I noticed some other flavors as well. This is a bigger Zin than I am used to and it has a lot of flavor in it. Red fruit, a hint of sweetness and a nice tartness. Overall it reminds me of cherry jam. The back lingers for a bit as well. This is a nice pour if you like the Zinfandel varietal.
I decided this one might need some time to open up so after a couple of glasses with dinner, I corked it and put it away for a day.
Next day’s tasting revealed a similar flavor profile, maybe a touch sweeter, but a much smoother nose. The alcohol calmed down quite a bit and the scent opened up to ripe cherries, a hint of earth and maybe even an old leather briefcase.
I recommend decanting this one, it needs the oxygen to open up the nose and to bring out the sweetness.
I like this wine. It’s packed with flavor and color. In my opinion, this is and above average wine for its variety. At today’s price point for a case this is a great buy if you enjoy a full-bodied Zin.
Thanks again Casemates team for letting me review!
@GatorFL Sounds like a bit of a hot mess of a wine. Not many producers make a 15.5%+ wine that isn’t a hot mess.
Couldn’t care less about pictures. In wine tasting, I’d much rather have the thousand words than the picture! Thanks for the review.
Did the alcohol even out after decanting, or did it just decline in prominence?
@klezman I wouldn’t call this one a hot mess. It’s not your average Zin. It’s full bodied and good, worth the price of admission. Yes, the alcohol evened out with decanting, and I recommend that step with this bottle.
88 Points. Richly developed flavors of dark chocolate, pretzel, leather and cedar with dried herb mark this big darkly concentrated wine, that is substantial in tannin. VB 3/1/18
@kaolis I know this isn’t your review. I didn’t get chocolate, pretzel or cedar at all. Dried herbs maybe. Tannins are there for sure, but it’s smooth.
2014 Tin Barn Vineyards Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, Gilsson Vineyard
Tasting Notes
This classic, versatile Zinfandel is sourced from a 65-year-old vineyard in Windsor where the fruit is exposed to morning fog. Our 2014 vintage displays depth and complexity, a deep garnet color, with hints of vanilla and a long finish. This velvety, seductive wine reveals the intensity of its fruit source while showing a restraint and balance unique for its varietal.
Vineyard Notes
On the eastern edge of the Russian River Valley lies a stretch of sandy loam soil, which was planted with Zinfandel (St. George rootstock) back in 1950. This well-established site exposes the fruit to a cool morning fog that slows its ripening and concentrates its flavors.
Specs
Vintage: 2014
Varietal: Zinfandel
Appellation: Russian River Valley
Harvest Date: October 10, 2014
Acid: 6.3 g/L
pH: 3.54
Aging: 19 months, 20% new American oak
Alcohol: 15.6%
Bottling Date: March 3, 2016
Included in the Box
6-bottles:
6x 2014 Tin Barn Vineyards Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, Gilsson Vineyard
Case:
12x 2014 Tin Barn Vineyards Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, Gilsson Vineyard
Tin Barn Vineyards celebrates those hidden treasures that lie off map. Our wines highlight the true character of Sonoma County. High atop the ridges of the Sonoma Coast, just off Tin Barn Road, lies a remote plot of Syrah vines. From this fog enshrouded slope, we sourced grapes for our very first wine and derived inspiration for our name.
In the years since, winemaker Michael Lancaster and his business partners have made a fitting home in our own “tin barn” — a warehouse in rural Sonoma that serves as both cellar space and tasting room. Here, we’ve joined with fellow artisan winemakers to form the collective known as Eighth Street Wineries. Come visit sometime! Remember, though, that a map will only get you so far.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2014 Tin Barn Vineyards Zinfandel - $30 = 16.65%
LabRat checking in January 4th, 2021 the year of our lord.
Tin Barn Vineyards- 2014 Russian River Valley Sonoma County Zinfandel from the Gilsson Vineyard.
The look:
Deep but clear red luster of pomegranate hues. Long legs down the side of my glass after some swirling. Yes, alcohol is present (checked the bottle- 15.6%).
The nose:
Black berries, white pepper spice, oak, and vanilla, with a lot of alcohol smell to me. Smells even better when you take the mask off. I kid, i kid….
Smells younger than a 2014 in some ways- but this doesn’t translate that way when drinking- so onto that…
The mouth:
Soft oaky mouth feel and lingering earthly finish that is more tannic on your 1st glass, but mellows out. I’d drink this slowly as it gets more elegant over time, and let it sit in the air for a transformative experience.
The aftertaste:
Cedar and redwood flavors that mellows into a softer oak 15 seconds later.
The wrap up:
I would expect this bottle to fetch over $20 a bottle.
I love drinking Zin with turkey. I’d crack this bottle at the beginning of the meal and pour 2.5 second pours vs my typical 3.5 second pours, and finish the bottle after dinner was down discussing the events of the day with family or friends via Zoom chat.
It’s not young like I thought- ready to drink right now IMO.
Also, if you take the letters in the words “Tin Barn Zinfindel” can you rearrange them to spell “Finland Biz Intern”. I’m on to you Finnish business interns!
@ecue Trying to figure out what’s going through your pup’s mind…maybe something like, ok, enough is enough, can we lose the bottle?.. I’m trying to relax here…
@ecue Yeah that first sniff of this one opens the sinuses up! Lots of alcohol on the nose.
@ecue I love the A Christmas Story lamp cameo in the background, my kind of wine drinker! Great description of the wine, thank you!
@ecue I rather like how that Corison was slipped in at the edge…
@ecue Haven’t seen Corison on since the Woot days. One of my faves.
@ecue @rjquillin oh man that Corison is an OG bottle from w.w!!! all-timer …
It has been a while since I have been selected to review a wine for Casemates so getting the email notification was a welcome present for the holiday season!
The box arrived and I eagerly opened it. Inside was a handsome bottle of today’s wine, a 2014 Tin Barn Zinfandel. The bottle is nice looking. The AbV of 15.6% caught my eye and I wondered how “hot” this bottle would be. I wanted to let it sit in the wine fridge for a couple of days so that is what I did.
I like Zinfandel but my experience with them is mixed. A lot of them are thin and jammy while others are full bodied. I was looking forward to trying this one! Tasting day arrived and I removed it from the fridge and opened it. I let it sit on the counter awhile as I finished preparing dinner.
First pour revealed a dark red, almost purple wine. It almost looks too dark to be a Zin, so my interest was definitely piqued! It’s very pretty in the glass. Sorry, I didn’t get pictures this time.
The nose, all alcohol. Not surprising at 15.6%. I really got nothing else from the nose other than the heat.
First taste was a surprise. I got a mouthful of a full-bodied, smooth and earthy wine. I was expecting something tinny because of the alcohol but instead I got something very nice indeed. As I enjoyed the glass, I noticed some other flavors as well. This is a bigger Zin than I am used to and it has a lot of flavor in it. Red fruit, a hint of sweetness and a nice tartness. Overall it reminds me of cherry jam. The back lingers for a bit as well. This is a nice pour if you like the Zinfandel varietal.
I decided this one might need some time to open up so after a couple of glasses with dinner, I corked it and put it away for a day.
Next day’s tasting revealed a similar flavor profile, maybe a touch sweeter, but a much smoother nose. The alcohol calmed down quite a bit and the scent opened up to ripe cherries, a hint of earth and maybe even an old leather briefcase.
I recommend decanting this one, it needs the oxygen to open up the nose and to bring out the sweetness.
I like this wine. It’s packed with flavor and color. In my opinion, this is and above average wine for its variety. At today’s price point for a case this is a great buy if you enjoy a full-bodied Zin.
Thanks again Casemates team for letting me review!
@GatorFL Sounds like a bit of a hot mess of a wine. Not many producers make a 15.5%+ wine that isn’t a hot mess.
Couldn’t care less about pictures. In wine tasting, I’d much rather have the thousand words than the picture! Thanks for the review.
Did the alcohol even out after decanting, or did it just decline in prominence?
@klezman I wouldn’t call this one a hot mess. It’s not your average Zin. It’s full bodied and good, worth the price of admission. Yes, the alcohol evened out with decanting, and I recommend that step with this bottle.
@GatorFL thanks for the great review! Would you say this is a fruit bomb or overly jammy? Thank you!
@mattkillpatty Not jammy or overly fruity, but the fruit is there.
@GatorFL Excellent! You talked me into a case!
@mattkillpatty TBH at this case price you can’t go wrong!
and from Wine Enthusiast:
88 Points. Richly developed flavors of dark chocolate, pretzel, leather and cedar with dried herb mark this big darkly concentrated wine, that is substantial in tannin. VB 3/1/18
https://www.winemag.com/buying-guide/tin-barn-2014-gilsson-vineyard-zinfandel-russian-river-valley/
fwiw
@kaolis I know this isn’t your review. I didn’t get chocolate, pretzel or cedar at all. Dried herbs maybe. Tannins are there for sure, but it’s smooth.
Opened a bottle of the 2013 last night to help me decide-it was good and I am in. Well worth the price.
2014 Tin Barn Vineyards Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, Gilsson Vineyard
Tasting Notes
Vineyard Notes
Specs
Included in the Box
6-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$375.50 at Tin Barn Vineyards for 12x 2014 Tin Barn Vineyards Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, Gilsson Vineyard
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, 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, Jan 25 - Tuesday, Jan 26
Tin Barn Vineyards Zinfandel
6 bottles for $89.99 $15/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $149.99 $12.50/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2014 Tin Barn Vineyards Zinfandel
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2014 Tin Barn Vineyards Zinfandel - $30 = 16.65%
anyone around Vegas want to split a case? HMU
I’m open to a split as well – for anyone in eastern MA or RI who’s interested.
anyone in Austin want to split?
Opened one the other night. I would not buy this again.