Zinfandel Wine

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

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).

Winemaker Description 

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 - Vintage 2022 

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

This Zinfandel is a bold wine grown from some of the oldest vines in California. Gnarly Head’s untamed vines produce full-flavored grapes, dense with aromas of blackberry bramble, juicy plum, and toasted oak. This medium-bodied wine boasts a balanced acidity and supple tannins for those who like unique, big wines with a little eclectic edge.

Enjoy this wine with chili, mini stuffed peppers or with rich and tangy BBQ. Winemaker Description. 

Producer Description 

This bright, lively wine showcases an abundance of berry flavors and aromas. Red raspberry, wild blackberry, and a touch of cranberry are balanced with spicy notes of anise and cinnamon. This medium-bodied Zinfandel lingers for a long, smooth finish.

Pair with barbecue, blue cheese and cheeseburgers.

Expert Review

Wine Spectator 90 Points | Jammy and generous but not blowsy, this Zin is loaded with blackberry and cherry flavors that are accented with hints of pepper and licorice.

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.

Expert Rating

93 Points Wine Spectator | A jammy bomb of fruit, offering cherry pie and ripe raspberry flavors accented with toasty spice and briar notes as this energetic Zin zips along the zesty finish.

Winemaker Description

Aromatically the wine has a nose full of juicy dark cherries, blackberries, just ripened raspberries, and some savory thanksgiving spices. On the palate there are notes of salty dried meats as well as brambly fruits paired with silken tannins. Winemaker Description. 

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.

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

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 

The Saint Georges Old Vines Zinfandel was first planted on gravelly loam soils by an Italian bootlegger in 1922 in the lee of the Santa Cruz Mountains, on the wrong side of the law and the road, and 50’ too low to qualify for what became the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation in 1981.

Yet the mountain and marine influence of Monterey Bay 12 miles west is undeniable- the acidity is mouthwatering, enhanced by a stone fruit spectrum of flavors and alpine herbs overlaid on the brambly sapidity of zinfandel.

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

This elegant, fruity Zinfandel brims with inviting aromas of cherry, raspberry, and blackberry intermixed with hints of cranberry and blood orange. Graceful and soft on the front palate, the flavors of mixed red berries and the lively tannins add luscious texture throughout the mid-palate, balanced with perfectly integrated acidity. Its long finish reveals spicy undertones and a superb freshness that will allow it to age beautifully for many years. 

Expert Ratings- Vintage 2019 

Decanter 92 Points | Opulent and lavish nose of menthol, cassis and spice, palate of dark fruit, redcurrant, bramble and spicy oak. Decanter World Wine Awards

Wine Review Online 92 Points | This Zinfandel is a breath of fresh air. Unlike the Zins of a decade ago, this one is not dark or inky on the pour but an elegant medium ruby. On the nose, typical aromas of strawberry jam and sweet cherry come through, but even on the nose, the heightened acidity of the wine is detectable. These jammy notes carry through on the palate, where they are met with a kiss of vanilla, fine-grained tannins, and a moderate 14.5% alcohol. As the aromas alluded to, the acidity is indeed lifted and fresh. This wine showcases well what Zinfandel can do when approached with finesse.

Expert Ratings - Vintage 2021 

93 Points Robert Parker | Sourced primarily from Oak Knoll, the 2021 Zinfandel Black Chicken delivers briar-laced bramble-berry fruit, plus a decent dose of vanilla (maturation was in 25% new French oak). Full-bodied, it's creamy, ripe and lush, with a slightly herbal tang on the lingering finish. 

93 Points James Suckling | Dark plums, crushed dark berries, cocoa beans, dried orange and moist bark. Medium-bodied, spiced and racy with sleek tannins and vivid acidity. Flavorful and silky.

92 Points Jeb Dunnuck | Tobacco, cigar, red and black plums, and strawberry notes all emerge from the 2021 Zinfandel Black Chicken, a medium-bodied, elegant, seamless Zinfandel that has light tannins and a great finish. 

92 Points Wine Enthusiast | A touch of maple sweetness tops boisterous, bright fruit flavors in this fullbodied, smooth and lightly tannic wine from one of Napa’s few Zinfandel specialists. Raspberries, strawberries and vanilla taste rich and relaxed as you sip.

Winemaker Description

Showing the influence of the breezy and fog-laced Oak Knoll District, the 2021 vintage offers rich, plush fruit, delicate acidity and a structure defined by well-ripened tannins. Layered notes of black cherry, raspberry, sandalwood, bergamot, cloves, blueberry, and balsam on the nose. Delicate, yet rich with plum compote, violets, and baking spice on the palate. An ideal vintage of the Black Chicken that, with proper cellaring, will continue to improve for the next 5-7 years. Winemaker Description.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points | This layered, polished and handsomely oaked wine brims with aromas like vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. These lead to lush berry and dark plum flavors on a texture of fine-grained tannins. Velvety in mouthfeel and delicious to sip.

Wine Spectator 90 Points | Appealingly old school, this Zin offers briary cherry, dried sage and cracked pepper flavors that zip toward zesty tannins. 

Winemaker Description 

Mother Clone is a classic ‘Dry Creek’ Zinfandel with spicy aromas of ripe cinnamon and white pepper along with red berries and a touch of vanilla. Red cherry flavors combine with vanilla, licorice and warm baking spices. The berry-spice combination, so typical of Dry Creek Zin, includes a touch of pepper on the rounded finish which are a hallmark of our style. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2019

92 Points Wine Enthusiast | This is loaded with cracked pepper flavors, plus lively cherry and grilled herb notes that finish with polished tannins. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2020

Wine Enthusiast 91 Points | A plethora of aromas waft out of the glass, suggesting raspberry, strawberry, red plum, red roses and violets, along with deeper notes of cacao, toasted wood and forest floor. The palate confirms these flavors and brings fine-grained tannins that add a delicate backbone. Acidity injects a dose of freshness and uplifts those lively red fruits.

James Suckling 91 Points | Mulberries, cooked plums, stewed strawberries and cinnamon stick on the nose. Fruity and full-bodied with stemmy tannins. Ripe while retaining tangy zesty elements and spicy complexity. 

Winemaker Description 

At Terra d’Oro, the Zinfandel grapes are carefully picked at night and brought to the winery for processing. After fermentation in stainless steel tanks, the wine is aged in a combination of French and American oak (24% new) for 15 months resulting in subtle caramel notes with indications of exotic spice.

Expert Review - Vintage 2021

Jim Gordon of the Wine Enthusiast writes 92 Points | Opulent oak spices are seamlessly woven with dried-fruit richness in this ultrasmooth and mouthcoating wine. Dried black figs, blackberry jam and a touch of maple syrup merge with vanilla, cinnamon and cedar notes for a banquet of indulgences.

Winemaker Description 

This estate grown Zinfandel is crafted from cuttings from six unique heritage
Zinfandel selections that serve as a tribute to the original plantings that began California winemaking. The wine showcases spicy aromas of crushed black pepper with ripe raspberry notes that open to a core of mixed berry, caramel, cinnamon and clove.

This is a wonderful tribute wine where we bring together Zinfandel selections from historic California vineyards. I can imagine in the days of old, neighbors all tasting each other’s home-grown, home-made Zinfandels and the desire to grow cuttings from the best of show. As a legacy family, we will keep this viticulture history alive with each bottling of our Heritage Block Zinfandel, dry farmed on head trained vines and fermented with wild yeasts.”

Pair with: Curry Lamb Kebabs with Tomato Cucumber Salad and Flat Bread

Expert Review - Vintage 

Wine Enthusiast 93 Points | This wine is dense, complex, with aromas of black currant, black cherry, black plum, pink grapefruit, dried potpourri, cardamom on the nose. The palate is red plum, strawberry, pomegranate, mulled spice, mandarin orange, wafting into cracked black pepper, clove, bittersweet chocolate, and sweet cigar.

Winemaker Description 

Dark briary fruit of mulberry, white pepper, cigar box, ripe strawberry, grilled steak, spicey, cherry tobacco, sage, and plum lead to an extractive fleshy structure with firm tannin and a balanced long lingering finish.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2021

The Wine Advocate 96 Points | Grapes for the 2021 Angeli Zinfandel are picked in three passes. Proprietor Scot Bilbro notes that Zinfandel's naturally varying levels of ripeness can lead to raisiny flavors if all the grapes are picked at a higher brix. "If you bring Zinfandel in over 25 brix, that means the juice inside is at 25, but the skins have a lot more sugar, and the level will go up to 28 or more," he explains. "So, we pick at 23, 24 and just shy of 25. You can enable the wine to show off layers with those different picks." This strategy led to a gorgeous Angeli in 2021 that is incredibly expressive and perfumed. Blueberry, boysenberry and blackberry give way to wafts of graphite, gobs of violet and even touches of tangerine. The medium to full-bodied palate explodes with concentrated fruit and expansive layers of floral perfume and spice. It has a powdery frame, bursts of mouthwatering acidity and a very long, nuanced finish. 

Jeb Dunnuck 91 Points | The dark purple 2021 Zinfandel Angeli is from the Angeli estate vineyards in the Alexander Valley and was raised for 15 months in neutral barrels. Concentrated and full-bodied, it reveals layered notes of dried apricot, espresso, blackberry compote, and licorice. The palate is brooding and savory, with a fleshy texture, an earthier profile, and notes of dark chocolate through the finish. A more potent and powerful style.

Winemaker Description 

Showing bright and clear scarlet while poured, the wine in the glass becomes edged with a deeper hue reminiscent of plum skin. With swirling layers of ripe cherry, blood peach, and marzipan this pure Zinfandel is immediately bright, inviting, and nuanced on the nose. Hints of violet, black tea, and spice ground the wine with a dark intensity. Velvety across the palate this exuberant wine finishes dry with a textured foremouth focus and a core of acidity cutting a cleansing path through the richness. This Zinfandel is a seductive, stately celebration of the Angeli vineyard which surrounds the winery.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022

Ken's Wine Guide | This slightly cloudy midnight purple colored Zinfandel from Once and Future opens with a blackberry and red licorice bouquet with hints of red plum, black cherry, dried sage, and violets. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied with integrated medium acidity. The mouthfeel is balanced, round, and smooth. The flavor profile is blackberry, stone dust, and cinnamon blend with notes of boysenberry, black plum and nutmeg. We also detected hints of black tea and oak. The finish is dry, and its well-managed moderate tannins are very nicely sustained. The Tasting Panel would then pair this Zin with a nice New York strip steak along with a dark chocolate mousse. Enjoy – 

Vinous 91 Points | The 2022 Zinfandel Green & Red Vineyard is another wine in this range that is pretty closed today. It has plenty of energy, but the mid-palate is not quite as developed as it is in most vintages. Bottled on the early side, this feels a bit like it’s not fully developed. 

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.

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.