Visually, the 2022 Black Sears Estate Zinfandel is an opaque, eggplant purple masquerading at times as black and as empty as the void, illuminated by a ring of bright magenta right at the glass's edge. The nose opens with Bing cherries and raspberries before the floral hints of lavender and daphne, and finally, a touch of dust and creosote. This is a slightly less ripe, lower-alcohol Zinfandel than usual for us, but we have graciously accepted the blessings the vintage has provided. On the palate, this is a bright, elegant, and somewhat reserved wine that offers those patient drinkers willing to sit with her a while an exotic mélange of herbal and earthy delights beneath the shy, intellectual demeanor. Guarded and minimalist at first, this Zin warms up and blossoms into a sensational bouquet of currants, graphite, and white pepper on the palate with a bit of a flirtatious citrus undertone. The finish is classic Howell Mountain: leather, dust and the signature white pepper Black Sears is renowned for.
