Zin

Gnarly 50 year old vines. 24 months in oak. Gold medal. This should be good....
But, the Van Ruiten, Old Vine, Zinfandel, Lodi 2004 disappoints. Chocolate and raisins on the nose, it yields stewed plums and dried figs on the palate but it has a thick, jammy consistency that is almost sweet and cloying. It's a smooth sipper, but too smooth. No edge, no complexity. It would have trouble matching to food, although it actually stood up to a chocolate almond brownie.
This wine will sell tons, but it's not my style. I give it an "OK", and would not buy it again. $19 a bottle.
Cheers!!