Medium cloudy red, with perhaps a teeny hint of purple. Nose is more closed, but I am getting the pepper and spice, plus ripe blackberry. Nice stong acids and good tannins with ripe blackberries. Not an over the top fruit bomb like the Kangarilla Road Zinfandel that I tasted in parallel. Slightly more to my liking therefore, since the balance is better. One thing I don't like it that it ends quite watery and flat.
I’m a sucker for zinfandels that claim to be “old vine” zins, so when I spotted Beringer Founders Estate Old Vine Zinfandel 2004 on the shelf I couldn’t help but pick up a bottle. And, while it may not have been the bold, intensely fruity zin that one might expect from an old vine label, there was plenty to like. The nose is fruity with some earthy notes. The flavor is a mix of blackberry, cherry, spice, and oak. The finish brings out the tannins and is fairly lengthy. Like most zins, this one will pair well with more strongly flavored food, like grilled meat, spicy pastas, etc.
