Zinfandel Wine

Winemaker Description

A core of Zinfandel from 60-80-year-old head-trained vines, carefully handpicked.

Flavors of cranberries and raspberries, leading to notes of red fruits, marionberry pie, and baking spices.

Expert Ratings 

94 Points Wine Advocate: The 2021 Zinfandel Lopez Vineyard comes from dry-farmed grapes planted in 1918. It has a medium ruby color and super spicy scents of red cherries, cranberries, fernet, menthol and potpourri. The medium-bodied palate is pleasantly chewy and refreshing, with concentrated, spicy fruits lingering on the finish. Drinkable and full of personality, it's ideal for pairing with spicy dishes or grilled meats. - Erin Brooks

94 Points Vinous: The 2021 Zinfandel Lopez Vineyard, from a site planted in 1918, is once again one of the highlights in this range. Deeply varietal in character, the Lopez Zinfandel screams with personality. Sweet red cherry, kirsch, new leather, cedar, sweet spice and wild flowers all take shape in this gorgeous, flavorful Zinfandel. -- Antonio Galloni 

Winemaker Description

This, Klinker Brick's flagship zinfandel, is made from vineyard blocks up to 120 years old. Delta Breezes and the associated fog allow us to retain above average acidity for the region, providing notes of dark cherry and spices. Barrel fermentation brings additional structure to thin skin varietal. The extremely low yields of century old vineyards bring notes of rhubarb and cranberry, with a hint of black pepper. The result is a balanced and complex Zinfandel perfect for both Summer barbecues and Fall fire pits.

Expert Ratings 

Wine Enthusiast 93 points Floral scents and vivid, jammy blackberry and black-pepper flavors highlight this full-bodied, full-on fruity wine as accents of wood smoke and wild sage add a rustic, authentic complexity. Editors' Choice.

Wine Advocate 91 Points | Planted to a Brandlin Ranch selection, the 2019 Zinfandel Hendry Block 28 spent 15 months in French oak (65% new). The result is darker and more intensely flavored than the Blocks 7 & 22 bottling, with blackberry and slightly desiccated black cherry notes, briar patch herbal nuances and mocha and vanilla underpinnings. It's full-bodied and smooth textured—almost creamy without being overly rich or heavy—then finishes easy and silky in feel. Drink it over the next several years.

James Suckling 92 Points | Rather inviting aromas of cracked black and white pepper, clove and baked plum. Full-bodied with silky tannins. Spicy. Lots happening here. Very savory, but with nice, juicy red and black fruit. Good length, too. Shows restraint. Drink or hold. 

Winemaker Description

Ruby color. Aromatics include maple candy, brown sugar, dark fruit and spice, with more herbal elements after air exposure. Palate echoes the round fruit and spice. Medium-bodied, with a firm tannic finish on the mostly rounded palate. The more structured of our two Zinfandel offerings this medium-weight Zinfandel has enough structure for grilled meats, such as flank or skirt steak, pastas with meaty sauces, and salumi.  

Hendry Block 28 is located on bench lands west of the town of Napa. This 4.17-acre block is 160 feet above sea level and has thin, stony soils. Morning fog and strong afternoon breezes from San Pablo Bay moderate the maritime climate. The vines were planted in 1998 using St. George roots and grafted with budwood selected from an old-vine Zinfandel vineyard on Mt. Veeder called the Brandlin Ranch. The vines are spaced 6.9' x 5', cordon-trained and spur-pruned. A vertical trellis system supports the cordon and the canopy. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description

Mevushal. Suppose you hear Zinfandel and immediately think of sweet pink wine. In that case, you owe it to the wine lover inside you to get a bottle of Baron Herzog Zinfandel, a colossus of red wine from California's iconic kosher winery. 

In the same way, Napa is synonymous with the great California Cabernet Sauvignon. Lodi is known as the perfect site for growing Zinfandel. And that is where Baron Herzog winemaker Joe Hurliman sources his fruit for this bottling, a heady, jammy, spicy masterpiece with gigantic fruit flavors and a silky intensity. With a smoky note that comes through on the finish, this is a hedonist's dream served with smoked brisket.

Baron Herzog Old Vine Zinfandel offers a rich texture and lovely notes of cherry compote, cranberry and black pepper.

Wine Spectator 93 Points | Vivacious and briary, this Zin is generous with personality, offering blackberry, licorice and orange peel accents that zip along the zesty finish. Drink now through 2032. (2022).

This Zinfandel captivates with a complex fusion of blackberry, black currant, plum, cherry, and baking spice aromas. Its lively palate showcases succulent fruit interwoven with supple tannins, persisting from mid-palate to a gratifying finish.

Its intricate depth perfectly complements indulgent dishes like hearty short ribs, velvety pork belly, or luxurious gnocchi gorgonzola, enhancing the dining experience with robust yet nuanced harmony. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description

The McManis Family Vineyards Zinfandel is a dark purple wine, loaded with notes of ripe red currant, strawberry, caramelized sugar, and toasty oak. The savory red fruit on the palate leads to soft, supple tannins and a smooth finish.

Expert Rating

90 Points Wine Enthusiast | This wine is fresh, zesty, with aromas of orange, cranberry, mulberries, red plums, mulled spices, allspice, clove on thinemaker Description

Winemaker Description

We create the conditions for making Late Harvest Zinfandel by allowing the grapes to hang on the vine approximately 3--4 weeks after they normally would be picked for a dry wine. These grapes were picked on October 30th on a beautiful Fall day, and the grapes arrived at the winery at 40° Brix of sugar. We crushed the grapes into a small 1,500-gallon tank and as is our tradition at Dashe Cellars, we fermented the grapes naturally, using the native yeasts that naturally live on the skins of the grapes. We let the grapes macerate to gain color and flavor, and then allowed the tank to warm.

The fermentation took off quickly, and then naturally halted when the alcohol had reached about 15.5% and the sugar level was about 9%. We always allow the wine to achieve its balance of sweetness and alcohol naturally, by letting the fermentation finish on its own.

The wine was aged in older French oak barrels so as to not overpower the intensity of the fruit. We bottled the wine as soon as possible to maintain its fresh fruit flavors and conserve its sweet concentration and purity. The wine is unfined and received minimal handling to the bottle.

Winemaker Description

The darker, more hedonistic cousin to the Pesenti Zinfandel, with plenty of fruits that run the full gamut from berry to stone and everything in-between. Supple, juicy and mouthwatering on the palate with a mineral zip. 

Expert Ratings 

94 Points Vinous | The 2021 Zinfandel Dusi Vineyard, from vines planted in 1945, is a bold, potent Paso Robles Zinfandel. A blast of dark red cherry, plum, spice, menthol and licorice saturate the palate. This plush, explosive Zinfandel has a ton going on. There's real old-vine gravitas and texture here. What a gorgeous wine this is.

93 Points Robert Parker | The 2021 Zinfandel Dusi Vineyard is a touch rubbery to begin, before blossoming to scents of red cherry, forest floor and dried mint. The medium-bodied palate is pleasantly rustic, with gently chewy tannins and a long finish loaded with plummy fruit. Give it a couple of hours in a decanter.

Expert Rating

93 Points Wine Spectator | A wine that suggests a sense of place, this is refined and just a hint rustic, which adds to the authenticity. Notes of cherry and pomegranate are laced with hints of white pepper and bay leaf. Drink now.

Winemaker Description

Located at 1000 to 1200 ft., the vineyard overlooks upper Chiles Canyon and remnant walls of the grist wills built by pioneer J.B. Chiles. Brooding dark purple plum raspberry flavors dotted with sage and black peppercorns.

Our Professional Review

David of 67Wine.com |  If you are looking for a natural style wine this is fabulous. You may say to yourself this is so different in the tradition of a wine from old world France in the bard yard style. Its power immediately comes at you. If you prefer modern style California Zinfandel, then this wine is not for you. If you are an explorer, with a skydiver personality, I highly recommend this wine.

Expert Rating

92 Points Wine & Spirits | Organically farmed fruit from the Russian River Valley, neutral oak aging and the talents of Eric Sussman and his team at RadioCoteau combine to make this a pretty great zin for the price. It’s bursting with fresh wildblueberry flavor, rustic and harmonious in its barnyard-scented tannins. This is ready to decant for grilled vegetables or meats. (2020). 

Winemaker Description

The 2020 County Line Zinfandel is characterized by powerful fruit and spice aromas balanced by refreshing acidity and herbal complexity. It speaks to both the robust essence of the grape and the nuances of its Sonoma Coast terroir. The wine is vibrant, with scents of nutmeg-spiced blackberry pie and sun-warmed strawberry, elevated by floral earl grey tea. These rich, fruity notes are followed by earthy briar and flint on the palate, with a lively, savory finish. Lingering flavors of cacao nib and rugged leather make for a sophisticated compliment to the voluptuous fruit in the nose. Immediately approachable, this Zinfandel also has depth and layers to entice thoughtful sipping. An ideal pizza pairing, savor a bottle alongside a hearty salsiccia, or a white pizza with roasted zucchini flowers. Winemaker Description. 

Winemaker Description

Fresh, bright berry fruit form our heritage Russian River vineyard, combined with the ripe, peppery jam from their Alexander Valley and Dry Creek vineyards, make for a wonderful diversity of flavor, showcasing the best that Zinfandel can offer. This wine boasts notes of blackberry, plum and boysenberry with a touch of red fruit jam and creamy vanilla.

Enjoy this Zinfandel now with spiced short ribs, pulled pork sandwiches or a barbeque chicken pizza.

Winemaker Description

Liar’s Dice is as juicy as ever! The soft tannins invite ripe, yet fresh flavors of black raspberry, black cherry, and blackberry jam. This is created to be a second glass Zin! If you have one, you are certain to have a second.

Baby back pork ribs, slow smoked for hours, are always a hit with the Liar’s Dice Zin, although it’s hard not to have a winning pair with just about anything coming off the grill or smoker. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Rating

91 Points Wine Enthusiast | Rich but dry, this robust take on Zinfandel wraps good tannins around ample blackberry and raspberry flavors, while light smoke and black-pepper accents dance around the edges.

Winemaker Description

This beautifully balanced and deeply concentrated Zinfandel boasts elegant, complex layers of crushed clove, fresh blackberry, and creamy mocha on the nose. A velvety texture of fine- grained tannins provides structural weight to the ripe fruit flavors of plum compote as well as violet, thyme, and black pepper. 

Winemaker Description

Medium to medium-dark ruby-red. Very cool, stately aromas of red cherry, cola, and fresh tobacco leaf. On the palate, medium-full bodied. Flavors of red fruits and blood orange take front and center stage, persisting through the long, smooth finish. Not a wine of bombast but instead, one of elegance, purity, and quiet confidence. Wonderful now, this can be enjoyed through at least 2028.

Expert Ratings

94 Points Wine Spectator | Few Zinfandels show this much nuance and detail, yet there's an elegant power to this red, with cherry and raspberry flavors that mingle with orange peel and fresh sage. Ends with refined tannins.

93 Points Jeb Dunnuck | The 2020 Zinfandel Papera Ranch is ripe with fresh berries, raspberry preserve, and baking spice. Its gushy fruit up front gives way to a note of raspberry seed and refreshing lift on the finish. Drink 2023-2032.

Winemaker Description

This classic Zinfandel exhibits lush, fruit-forward aromas of cherry, raspberry and candied orange with savory undertones of sandalwood and sweet licorice. On the palate, notes of juicy blood orange, plum, and ripe fig lead into vivacious tannins on the mid-palate with vibrant acidity. This Zinfandel’s balanced and elegant structure promises a long, graceful aging potential.

Expert Ratings

94 Points Wine Enthusiast | Bold and berrylike, this fullbodied but not very tannic wine is saturated with jammy blackberries and raspberries that coat the palate and give a luscious ripeness that won’t quit. Hints of black pepper and grilled herbs add interesting complexity as you keep sipping. Editors' Choice.

90 Points Robert Parker | Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Zinfandel charges out of the gate with notes of stewed plums, Morello cherries and raspberry pie plus suggestions of Indian spices, wild thyme and hoisin. The medium-bodied palate is laden with red and black berry layers, supported by chewy tannins and invigorating freshness, finishing long and peppery.

Winemaker Description

The Neyers 2019 Vista Notre Zinfandel is brimming with bright red berry fruit, while bristling with black peppercorn spice. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Rating

91 Points James Suckling | A rich, fruity red with lots of dried fruit, including raisins. It’s full and flavorful. Hints of chocolate and nuts at the end. Not over the top.

Winemaker Description

7 Deadly Zins Old Vine Zinfandel is full-bodied and seductive. Heaps of jammy berry fruit are followed by aromas of leather, oak and spice notes. On the palate the wine is round and layered showing flavors of dark fruits, currants and toffee through a lingering spice-touched finish. 

Expert Rating

89 Points Wine Enthusiast | A Zin classic that never goes out of style. Rich, jammy black fruits are backed by the elevated (15%) alcohol and plushy tannic structure and complemented by oaky vanilla and nutmeg. (2019).