Ravenswood Old Hill Zinfandel 1999

Mymi Thesingingsommelier rated this wine as 95/100 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.
Ravenswood’s Old Hill vineyard is the oldest in their portfolio with some of the vines planted as far back as the 1880’s.
The 14 acres of vines is located in the heart of Sonoma County and was tended to by Otto Teller who also added a “field blend” which consisted of over 30 different varieties to the existing vineyard when he took over in the early 1980’s.
This 1999 offering is a splendid blend of about 75% Zinfandel mixed in with over 30 different other black grape varietals from the Old Hill vineyard.
A very deep, dark brownish red color, almost completely opaque. Multitude of legs staining the inside of the glass.
Still very fresh on the nose with dark cacao, lovely vanilla, stewed berry jam, perfumy, a little vegetative and meaty aromas.
HUGE and lively on the palate! Dry, velvety, dense and warm with beautifully integrated tannins and luscious acidity. Very concentrated flavors of dried cherries, almond extract, dark chocolate and the darkest fruitcake.
Absolutely deliciously spectacular…

Jane Staples rated this wine as 87/100 with the following review:

Nose gives ripe red berries, meaty notes and slight mint. Palate shows ripe raspberries, plums, meat, pepper, with long peppery plum finish.

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

Old Hill Zinfandel, from the Old Hill Vineyard in Sonoma Valley, is a blend of 75% Zinfandel and various other varietals that grow in this prized vineyard, some of which remain unknown to this day despite DNA testing to try and identify the varieties. Clearly a unique vineyard, it produces some of the finest Zin available. The Old Hill Vineyard is renowned for having produced Sonoma's first famous Zin, made in 1862 by William Hill. The 1999 is another great example of how aged wines, especially premium Zin, can be so harmonious and perfumed. Eucalyptus, mulberry, spice box, pepper, chocolate and hickory fill the nose and palate. It's got great structure, life, and vigour. Tertiary characteristics from a decade and a half of aging add complexity to every element of this wine. Truly a prize to be savored. Enjoy with braised beef short ribs with anise infused red wine demi glace sauce. Epic! Tasted (magnum format) November 2015. 94 points. Matt Steeves - www.quercusvino.ca