Escafeld 2003 Monterey County Zinfandel

Escafeld 2003 Monterey County Zinfandel

- Overall rating
blackberry • raspberry • chocolate • violets • vanilla • mixed berry jam • Pepper • zinfandel • red
Queue price $19.99

From the Winery

Vineyard Notes:

Grown in the sandy clay loam foothills of Monterey County's ninth and newest appellation, the San Antonio Valley, our vines see summer daytime temperatures 10-20 degrees warmer than much of Monterey County, with a cooling nighttime influence, and a little morning fog coming over the Santa Lucia range from the Pacific Ocean, just 15-20 miles away. This gives us a daily heat cycle of 50 degrees, producing the exceptional fruit that is hand harvested for our limited edition award winning wines.

Tasting Notes

Our 2003 Zinfandel is dark red in the glass, with a rich nose of chocolate, blackberry and raspberry. A generous concentration of mixed berry jam, blackberries and chocolate predominates a complexity of flavors. Hints of violets and vanilla give way to a long, lingering bright chocolate peppery-berry-cream finish.

Drink now, or lay down for 3-4 years.

Composition 100% Zinfandel
Appellation San Antonio Valley, Monterey County
Alcohol 15.5%
Aged in American oak
Member Reviews
hondo
Not at all what I expected
hondo
May 22, 2008, 11:55 PM
This wine was violet colored in the glass. I let it sit for about a 1/2 hour in the bottle after opening, but the nose was still earthy and a bit funky. The alcohol in it really opened up the nostrils. The best word I can use to describe the flavor profile is savory, like a big slab of well seasoned prime rib. There are traces of dark chocolate and cherry cola, but this is not a big jammy fruit bomb zin. Despite the 15.5% alcohol, it was not hot on the finish. Lots of tannic structure. This wine was good and chewy and complex and just different in a very good way.
monkuwino
This is (or was) GOOD!
monkuboy
May 6, 2008, 11:45 PM
Initially the aromas of this dark wine were very earthy - like wet dirt or potting soil. After some air, coffee grounds, black cherry, granite, dark and semi-sweet (like the little Hershey nuggets) chocolate, licorice, cedar, pepper and spice emerged. It was about 1/2 fruit and 1/2 the other characteristics. The palate was similar, joined by milk chocolate (so all sorts of chocolate was swirling around in there). There was lots of fruit and fine-grained tannins. The 15.5% alcohol content was a little noticeable at times but not at all bothersome; most of the time it was hidden by the layers of aromas and flavors. If it sounds like this wine was complex, it was (and in a good way). I just wanted to keep tasting it because it was so interesting. The Escafeld Petit Verdot was good, but I'd say this one is even better.
DrDebs
Extraordinarily Complex Zinfandel for the Price
drdebs
Nov 18, 2007, 12:22 PM
This was an outstanding, big zin. When first opened there was a bit of funkiness--slightly sulfur/skunk. We let it sit for 35 minutes in the bottle and this blew off entirely. The wine was deep ruby in color. Aromas of cherried candy were backed up by plum, cedar, and a hint of cocoa as the wine opened up. Palate of plum, dark chocolate dipped cherry, black tea, and cracked black pepper was really nice and someone remarked "there is so much going on here!" There was also a nice, peppery finish and fine-grained tannins. A lovely, complex wine. No alcoholic heat, despite high alcohol level. Great value at under $20.
mgk12
Very pleasant aromas. Dry finish, full bodied, and...
mgk12
May 23, 2007, 1:48 AM
Very pleasant aromas. Dry finish, full bodied, and pairs well with bold-flavored cheeses (like Blue cheese). Milk chocolate also pairs well - seems to mellow the strength of this wine in a nice way.
Kelly
kellyvincent
Apr 1, 2007, 2:17 PM
Berry aromas with a licorice and plum taste on the palette. Nice finish with hints of raisin.
JuiceCowboy
Violet color with a pleasant cherry-coke aroma this...
juicecowboy
Apr 1, 2007, 1:01 PM
Violet color with a pleasant cherry-coke aroma this wine comes in a tad hot (I guess to be expected at 15.5% alcohol) so it could use some decanting. This medium bodied licorice flavored Zin is a little tannic giving a little bit of a "pucker" sensation. Nice, persistent toasted oak finish of medium length. This is a solid selection.