Ravenswood Dickerson Zinfandel 1999

Mymi Thesingingsommelier rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

Ravenswood’s logo might be the most tattooed symbol in the wine business…
Since starting the winery in Sonoma County in 1976, Joel Peterson has amassed enormous critical acclaim, a dedicated cult following and has even been nicknamed the Grandfather of Zinfandel.
Always dedicated, tenacious and committed to crafting the best wines possible, he proved that with hard work and a great deal of passion it is absolutely possible even if in the early days, for a decade, the winery’s location was an old tin-roofed shelter, once a woodworking shop making oak toilet seats!!!
A unique attribute to Ravenswood’s success is a long-standing relationship with over 100 independent grape growers. Each vineyard is personally chosen by Joel himself according to their location, age, yield and special flavor characteristics demonstrating Zinfandel’s multiple facets as well as bringing out the very best from the various other varietals grown on those parcels of land.
The Dickerson vineyard owes its name to Bill Dickerson who purchased the small 10 acres of land in warm St. Helena, Napa Valley in 1971. With vines planted as far back as 1930, the wines created from the fruit of the Dickerson vineyard has been hailed by Robert Junior Parker as “the Heintz Martha’s Vineyards of Zinfandels”.
This 1999 is 100% Zinfandel. It is a rusty, burned ruby red color with thick slow moving legs that also stain the inside of the glass.
Smoky, earthy on the nose with aromas of peat, dried fruit, forest flor and dried herb.
The palate is unctuous and intense with blackberry jam, stewed red berry fruit and tobacco. Bone dry with surprisingly firm tannins backed by vivid acidity and a peppery finish.

Matt Steeves rated this wine as 94/100 with the following review:

Ravenswood Dickerson 1999 vintage from their Single Vineyard Designates series is a great example of why you should cellar premium Zin. Patience pays off! Medium ruby red, the nose is full of eucalyptus, spice box, cedar, sandalwood, with the berry notes having beautifully evolved into complex tertiary aromas that are only made possible after years of bottle aging. The palate is super complex and well structured. Dusty tannins give added textural complexity making this food-friendly aged wine ideal with rich mushroom risotto and seared scallops with shallots. Tasted (magnum format) November 2015. 94 points. Matt Steeves - www.quercusvino.ca