Tried this new vintage the other night:
1. Bucklin Zin OldHillRanch/SonomaVlly (Est: 1885; Est: 1852; 14 acres/two dozen grapes: Zin + Grenache/AlicanteBouschet/PetiteSirah/Mourvedre/Syrah/Carignane/Tempranillo/Tannat/GrandNoir + others; http://www.BuckZin.com; 571 cs; 15.6%) 2009: Very dark color; intense blackberry/boysenberry/Zin slight menthol/pungent/ozone/metallic quite dusty/OV complex nose; soft/lush/smooth slight toasty/oak strong dusty/OV very strong blackberry/boysenberry/Zin/briary very spicy lovely/complex flavor w/ some tannins; very long/lingering very strong blackberry/boysenberry/briary/Zin strong dusty/OV slight menthol/pungent/toasty/oak finish w/ modest tannins; does not show any alcohol whatsoever; one of the best Bucklin Zins I've had; a classic OV Zin w/ good structure & balance. $32.00 (SFW&S)
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And a wee BP:
1. OldHill is, of course, the vnyd that JoelPeterson/Ravenswood made famous. The vnyd was planted in 1851. It was abandoned and purchased by OttoTeller in 1981. He returned the overgrown vnyd to health, against the advice of UC/Davis folks, and started selling to Joel. The Ravenswood OldHill was almost always my favorite RavenswoodZin. The Bucklin family eventually bought the ranch and WillBucklin is the winemaker. Their vine by vine vnyd map is pretty amazing:
OldHillVineMap
The Bucklin OldHill Zin I've always liked quite a bit but didn't think it was of Carlisle level. This '09 struck me as the best Bucklin/OldHill I've had and of the caliber of most of the Bedrock Zins. I'd love to see what Mike or Morgan could do w/ these grapes. Will also makes a MixedBlack and a Bambino/OldHill Zin that are both pretty good as well. Truly one of Calif's great OldVine vnyds.
Tom