Tried these two Rosenblum Zins ystrday at my Pig+Fig tasting:
1. Rosenblum Zin BrandlinRanch/MtVeeder (13.8%; 85 yr old vines; U/U) 1992: Dark color w/ some browning; light cedary/pencilly strong blackberry/boysenberry/spicy Zin bit MtVeeder/peppery bit vanilla/Am.oak clearly MtVeeder rather complex fairly youthful nose; soft bit drying out some vanilla/Am.oak some blackberry/boysenberry/spicy Zin/peppery bit cedary/pencilly light dusty/OV rather complex flavor w/ some tired tannins; very long boysenberry/peppery finish that mimics flavor; showing a bit tired/dried out character on the palate but still plenty of youthful/MtVeeder/peppery Zin fruit; probably on the downside. $nc (BSvSG)/$12.50
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2. Rosenblum Zin SamselVnyd/Maggie'sReserve (13.8%; 89 yr old vnyd; 3% AlicanteBouchet; U/U) Alameda 1992: $nc (BSvSG)/$14.50[/b]: Dark color w/ slight bricking; very strong youthful/blackberry/boysenberry/licorice/spicy Zin strong vanilla/Am.oak fairly dusty/OV bit alcoholic fairly complex nose; bit soft fairly dusty/OV strong blackberry/boysenberry/licorice fairly Am.oak/vanilla ripe/spicy/Zin lovely complex flavor w/ modest lush tannins; very long/lingering blackberry/spicy Zin finish that tracks flavor; not as far along as the Brandlin w/ plenty of youthful Zin fruit; a really lovely/complex mature Zin. $nc (BSvSG)/$14.50
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More rosablip from TheBloodyPulpit:
1. These two Rosenblums were donated to the tasting from the BlairSwartz cellar by StaceyGauney.
Of the high-end Zins that Kent made, the Samsul/Maggies was always my favorite because of its greater lushness & complexity. The Brandlin was usually close behind. Chester Brandlin is, of course, the source of Steve Lagier's famous Chester's Anvil. Steve cultivated Chester's vnyd one time in a pinch as a favor. Chester wanted to pay Steve, but he refused payment. Instead, Steve nodded to that rusty/corroded anvil over in the corner of Chester's barn and suggested that as payment. Done in a nonce. Steve went down (Chester's vnyd was just below Carole/Steve there on Mt.Veeder) w/ his forklift & retrieved the anvil & hauled it off home. Steve then went to work on Chester's Anvil & got it all cleaned up & spiffy. The thing is a piece of beauty and probably dates back to the early 19's or late 1800's. The plastic anvils that you get at HomeDepot just don't compare to Chester's.
Of these two Zins, I very slightly preferred the Samsul.
Tom