The Wine Buzz
Jan/Feb 2007 - Zinfandels

2004 Albini Family Vineyards, Russian River Valley
($33.99) Spicy black cherry, black rasperry - Licorice aromas; robust, bold flavors with hints of candied cherries and mocha; great acidity and balance, with a big dried dark berry finish, this is Zin! Highly recommended.

Connoisseurs' Guide - Merlot
Albini Russian River Valley - 2003

($28) Distinctive and very individual elements of roasted coffee, black earth and leather sit atop dense, but not fully articulate. Fruit in the of this decidely different look at Merlot, and the very same, vaguely coffee-like qualities combine once again with cherries in the wines relatively rich and well filled flavors.

Wine and Spirits The Year's Best Merlots
Over the last 12 months, Wine & Spirits tasted 418 Merlots
June 2004

Albini Family 2001 Russian River Valley Merlot
92 points
($27) Dark and fleshy with extract, this takes time to evolve in the glass. It grows more intriguing, with the cool, foresty feel of the Russian River Valley to keep it fresh, a frame for the melting chocolate tannin and dark, five-spice scent. That freshness should prove an asset as the wine ages over the next five to eight years. (W&S 6/04) Albini Family Vineyards, Windsor, CA

California GRAPEVINE
Vol.29, No. 6 December 2003 – January 2004

2001 Albini Family Vineyards, “Dry Farmed,” Russian River Valley
90 of 100 point
($28) – Medium-dark ruby color; attractive, intense, plumy, cassis, red currant and sweet raspberry fruit aroma with notes of dill and vanilla; full body; big, rich, concentrated, highly axtracted, oaky, chocolatey, very ripe berry fruit flavors; full tannin; slightly drying finish; lingering aftertaste. Shows a lot of forward fruit. Very highly recommended. Alcohol; only 56 cases; 100% Zinfandel; released October 2003. (Group score: 15.9 of 20, 4 of 13 first-place votes/2 seconds/0 thirds; My Score: 17 [90 of 100 points], first place)

International Wine Cellar
Stephen Tanzer
May/June 2003
Issue 108

Albini Family Vineyards 2000 Merlot Russian River Valley
88 points
($27) Bright red-ruby. Perfumed aromas of raspberry, bitter chocolate, lead pencil and smoky oak. Juicy, spicy and firm in the mouth, with nicely delineated flavors of raspberry, tobacco, game and spices. Expressive merlot with plenty of personality and firm, harmonious acidity. 88.

Albini Family Vineyards 1999 Zinfandel Russian River
90 points
($30) An outstanding effort, this dark ruby/purple-colored 1999 exhibits impeccable winemaking, a sublte touch of wood, and loads of concentrated black fruits intermixed with spice, pepper and underbrush. Full-bodied and chewy, it is best consumed over the next 3-4 years.

Albini Family Vineyard 1999 Merlot Unfiltered Russian River
89 points
($26) An intriguing blueberry/earthy-scented nose is followed by an opulent lovely, distinctive Merlot, without the coffee/mocha/java characteristics found in many of its peers. Albini’s 1999 exhibits good density, medium body and low acidity. Drink this attractive effort over the next 6-7 years.

The New York Times On The Web Wine
Norm Roby
5/21/01

1998 Albini Family Vineyards Unfiltered Merlot
Rating ****
Type of Wine: Merlot
Vintage: 1998
Designation: Unfiltered
Region: United States, California: Sonoma county: Russian River Valley
Price: US $25.00 (750 ml)
Comments: Silky and supple with power,too. A merlot that has it all.
General Qualities: Medium-bodied, complex, dry, balanced acidity, slight oak imression, soft tannins
Color: dark ruby
Aromas: blackberry, cassis, earthy, herbal, leather, molasses
Flavors: blackberrt, blueberry, dried herbs, dusty, earthy, rose petal
Other Descriptors: balanced, concentrated, earthy, juicy, masculine, pretty rich, ripe.
5/21/01 Reviewed by: Norm Roby