I continue to admire the wines that emerge from the Cooke Vineyard. The 1993 reveals a saturated, plummy/purple color, rich, black-raspberry aromas with hints of licorice, truffle, and earth scents, gobs of chewy, unctuously-textured fruit that suggests old vines, and a full-bodied, expansive, highly-extracted finish. This complex Zinfandel can be drunk over the next 10-12 years. With Ravenswood's production soaring to nearly 100,000 cases (60% of which is Vintner's Blend Zinfandel and Merlot), it is amazing that proprietor/winemaker, Joel Peterson, can continue to turn out such intense wines, particularly in view of the cramped cellars in which he must work. The small quantities (only 500-600 cases) of single vineyard Zinfandel he produces, continue to be among the most enticing, flavorful, and distinctive California Zinfandels. The 1993s are all excellent to outstanding wines, save for the Dickerson Vineyard, which for the second consecutive year is not as rich as prior efforts.
Tel. (707) 938-1960