varietal: Zinfandel

Banknote Wine Co. Zinfandel 2011

90
Banknote Wine Co.
Fanciful Name: Counterfeit
Varietal: Zinfandel
Vintage: 2011
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Sonoma County
Retail Price: $25

Tasting Notes: Not only was I impressed by the flavor, I was also impressed by the packaging. The winemaker, Pete Nixon was a graphic designer by trade. The “Counterfeit” Zinfandel is unique in its packaging but classic when it comes to all the flavors you expect: big, juicy and jammy. After the hand harvest, the grapes go through full malolactic fermentation and are aged for 13 months in French oak. It opens with a touch of vanilla on the nose due to that French oak and big blackberry pepper jam. The palate has some toasty notes and a soft silky black pepper finish. This is a wine that doesn’t need a food pairing, just a big glass and some great conversation.
Banknote Wine Co. Zinfandel 2011

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Trinitas El Dorado Zinfandel 2010

94
Trinitas El Dorado
Varietal: Zinfandel
Vintage: 2010
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: El Dorado
Retail Price: $23.95

Tasting Notes: Very complex, with black tea, tobacco, vanilla, dark plum, and cherries. Velvety tannins. Simply a great Zin!
Trinitas El Dorado Zinfandel 2010

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Trentadue La Storia Zinfandel 2013

95
Trentadue La Storia
Fanciful Name: Block 303
Varietal: Zinfandel
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Alexander Valley
Retail Price: $25

Tasting Notes: Grapes for this estate-produced gem come from head-pruned vines on Trentadue’s Estate Geyserville Ranch. It’s aged for 13 months in European oak, 25% new barrels. There are floral and black fruit notes on the bouquet with a hint of that marvelous Alexander Valley volcanic terroir. Concentrated flavors of blackberry, black cherry and white pepper harmonize with toasty oak and butterscotch nuances. A hint of licorice shows in the finish. The texture is plump and velvety and harmonizes with supple tannins on the lengthy finish. An elegant, simply gorgeous Zin that will develop in bottle for several years.
Trentadue La Storia Zinfandel 2013

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Storybook Zinfandel 2012

92
Storybook
Fanciful Name: Mayacamus Range
Varietal: Zinfandel
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $40

Tasting Notes: Classic old-style Zinfandel that’s chock full of mouth-filling briar, red plum and black pepper. Decanting first will help round out the edges. Try it with a leg of lamb slathered in rosemary and garlic.
Storybook Zinfandel 2012

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Seghesio Zinfandel 2014

92
Seghesio
Fanciful Name: Sonoma
Varietal: Zinfandel
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Sonoma County
Retail Price: $22.99

Tasting Notes: Seghesio has done a remarkable job of producing a consistently great wine from vintage to vintage. This vintage, however, is the best they have done in years. This wine has a beautiful deep color (owing to a dollop or two of Petite Sirah). Ripe and rich flavors of raspberry, blueberry and plenty of spice. This may be the best you can do in this price range.
Seghesio Zinfandel 2014

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Rock Wall Zinfandel 2012

92
Rock Wall
Fanciful Name: Hendry Vineyard
Varietal: Zinfandel
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $24.99

Tasting Notes: Dark fruit aroma. Flavors of plum, blackberry and pepper. Good mouthfeel. Substantial tannins lead to a long finish.
Rock Wall Zinfandel 2012

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Robert Craig Zinfandel 2012

94
Robert Craig
Fanciful Name: Howell Mountain
Varietal: Zinfandel
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $75

Tasting Notes: 100% mountain fruit and an absolutely unbelievable Zinfandel. Fleshy ripe black and blue fruits, silky layered impressive texture and, finally, nuances of eucalyptus and herbs on the long finish. This wine is about finesse and structure and delivers an incredible mouthful of California Howell Mountain Zinfandel with each sip. Just treat yourself; you won’t regret it!
Robert Craig Zinfandel 2012

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Pedroncelli Zinfandel 2013

95
Pedroncelli
Fanciful Name: Mother Clone
Varietal: Zinfandel
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Dry Creek Valley
Retail Price: $17

Tasting Notes: John Pedroncelli, Sr. planted the first vines for this classic in 1927. Vintage after vintage, the wine is unique and stylistic. There is a bouquet of lilac, black fruit preserves and spice. Concentrated flavors of blackberries, blueberries, clove and pepper coat the palate and finish with a lovely herbal nuance and a touch of Dry Creek terroir. Supple tannins balance out the whole and ensure that this wine will develop in-bottle for several years. It will complement an array of world cuisines.
Pedroncelli Zinfandel 2013

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Macchia Zinfandel 2014

92
Macchia
Fanciful Name: Adventurous
Varietal: Zinfandel
Vintage: 2014
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Sierra Foothills
Retail Price: $25

Tasting Notes: A bold full-bodied spicy-pepper laden Zinfandel that is still kept in check by nice vanilla notes and a luscious texture. A wine for a true hedonist. The rich, ripe red fruit and pepper are built to stand up to bold and powerful dishes.
Macchia Zinfandel 2014

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Frog’s Leap Zinfandel 2013

92
Frog’s Leap
Varietal: Zinfandel
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $35

Tasting Notes: Made by the talented and funny John Williams. I love his approach, making wines of place that are true to the soils they come from. 100% dry-farmed. Williams has also been farming organically since 1988. Frog’s Leap Zinfandel is layered with boysenberry, fleshy strawberry and a small touch of spice. Williams also blends in Petite Sirah and Carignan, bringing more depth and structure. A steal al the price!
Frog’s Leap Zinfandel 2013

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Dashe Todd Brothers Zinfandel 2013

93
Dashe Todd Brothers
Varietal: Zinfandel
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Dry Creek Valley
Retail Price: $35

Tasting Notes: Blockbuster old-vine Zin. Dense and full-bodied with lots of black raspberry, black cherry and spice. It has the ability to be cellared for five years. Grill up a T-bone and enjoy.
Dashe Todd Brothers Zinfandel 2013

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Beran Zinfandel 2013

93
Beran
Varietal: Zinfandel
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Sonoma County
Retail Price: $36

Tasting Notes: Classic Zinfandel flavors with a nose of chocolate, baking spice, plums and blueberry make this wine a real crowd-pleaser. The palate has a touch of heat with notes of blackberries, acai berries, plums, cloves and blueberry jam. Soft tannins make this a very food-friendly wine. This Zinfandel doesn’t need huge proteins to stand up next to big tannins; pair with BBQ, hard cheeses or even a great dark chocolate dessert!
Beran Zinfandel 2013

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