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Zinfandel: The Highs and Lows of ZAP 2013

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Jan-Feb 2013 125

I wrote about the origins of California’s heritage grape, currently the State’s third most planted variety after Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, in a post here a year ago. Since then, the long awaited definitive tome on wine grape varieties from Jancis Robinson, et al, was published.

In that book, Wine Grapes, varieties are listed according to the oldest name proven to have been used for the grape. After reviewing the continuing research conclusively establishing Zin’s roots in Croatia’s central Dalmatia, Jancis and her cohorts placed the entry for Zin under its original and oldest Croatian name. That name has been found in literature going back to the early 1500s–i.e., predating the use of the more modern Croatian name, Crljenak Kaštelanski, that I mentioned in my earlier post. That original Croatian name is Tribidrag. From the evidence of this name alone, we can safely assume that the 16th century wine industry lacked the legions of marketing consultants it enjoys today.

Strangely, the multiday annual festival I attended again this year in San Francisco devoted to the grape is still called the ZAP Zinfandel Festival. (ZAP stands for Zinfandel Advocates & Producers, the group that has organized the event for 22 years.) I guess titling something a “Tribidrag Event” in San Francisco might conjure up images of something other than a large scale winetasting.

This expansive and well organized event—extending over four days—is unusual amongst wine festivals devoted to a particular variety, or family of varieties, in that it features virtually all of the very top producers. In addition to the greats, there are many producers of every other stripe—from very good to mediocre to essentially industrial swill. In that sense, it’s a very democratic event, with a small “d,” incorporating just about everything that fits under Zinfandel’s big tent. Okay, so there was little, if any, “white Zinfandel” on hand.

As I mentioned in last year’s post, Zin is not an easy grape from which to make fine wine. It ripens very unevenly – leading to clusters containing both harshly acidic, unripe grapes and very ripe grapes. It also has a thin skin that causes the ripe grapes to turn to raisins if not picked soon enough. To pick and sort only the ripe grapes, and to pick them at just the right time, is an expensive proposition, often requiring multiple passes through the vineyard. For this reason, the best Zins don’t come cheap. They typically run from $30 to $50 and up.

Another distinctive characteristic of the grape is its tendency to ripen at very high sugar levels. When the grapes are picked too late, this can lead to high alcohol wines that often lack the balancing acidity that helps wines taste fresh and lively on the palate.

2012 Historic Vineyards Tour
Sonoma’s oldest Zin and mixed black vineyard – Old Hill Ranch

One of the great viticultural riches of California are our old vine “mixed black” vineyards, which were planted primarily with Zin in the late 1800s and early 1900s, but with other black grapes planted here and there as well, especially grapes that immigrant winemakers from Italy and France found supplied some of the qualities Zin often lacked—e.g., Petite Sirah and Syrah for their tannins and color.

In these old vine vineyards—some with vines over 100 years old—the reduced vigor as a result of the vine age helps counter some of Zin’s typical characteristics, improving balance, and the lower yields lead to concentration of flavors in fewer grapes.

Most of the best Zins at ZAP came from old vineyards like these, where the very low yields and increasing demand for fruit from these sources also mean higher priced wines.

So what were the best Zins at ZAP this year? Who are the top producers to go to, when money is no object, and who else makes very good wine for those of us living on a budget?

I managed to sample 207 wines in almost nine hours at two of the events making up the festival this year: the food pairing Thursday evening session called Epicuria and the concluding grand tasting on Sunday. That was less than the total I tasted at the grand tasting alone last year, as a result of taking more time with most of the top producers to give as thorough an evaluation at an event like this as possible. I aimed for the very top producers, as many other benchmark producers as possible, and producers that were new to me.

I managed to make it to over 90 producers, but missed dozens of the more than 200 on hand. Unfortunately this included a few important producers like Carlisle, Dry Creek Vineyard, Green & Red and JC Cellars, which I try to get to at other tastings through the year.

Although the vast majority of producers were California based, there was also one from Italy–Accademia dei Racemi–and Oregon’s Troon Vineyard, which has been getting good press.

As a result of the diverse quality spectrum, my scores ranged more widely than they do at most themed events of this kind—from a low of 80 points to a high of 95. The low scorers generally ended up there due to imbalance in the wine—alcohol levels being so high that it rendered the wine “hot”; acid levels so low that the unbalanced sweetness rendered the wine “flabby”; or the oak influence overwhelming the fruit (either from aging in oak barrels, or the use of oak “adjuncts,” as they’ve become known in the industry—oak chips, cubes or powder).

The latter imbalance—overwhelming aromas and flavors of oak—seems particularly unfortunate and self inflicted. In my opinion, Zin’s lighter body and more delicate aromas do best with neutral oak—barrels that have been previously used and therefore impart little or no oak flavor. Zin, or Tribidrag, is generally not a grape that is capable of absorbing a huge amount of new oak, unlike Cabernet Sauvignon or Petite Sirah. I therefore urge California’s Zin makers who are currently using a lot of new wood, or oak adjuncts, to try dialing it back. Give Zin’s distinctive briary, ripe currant fruit a chance to shine, without obscuring it with the vanilla, caramel, bourbon and chocolate flavors one gets from high levels of new oak.

The greatest Zin producers, whose wines I’ve sampled under other circumstances as well and that are consistently impressive, responsible for one or more wines at this event that I rated 92+ points or higher, are Ballentine, Bedrock, Black Sears, Bucklin, Charter Oak, Dashe, Grgich Hills, Hendry, Puccioni, Robert Biale, Scott Harvey, Terra d’Oro, Three, Turley and Vino Noceto.

The very top wine of this tasting for me, at 95 points, was the 2010 Black Sears, with its rich palate and complex aromas and flavors of black currant, lavender, pepper and graphite. The fruit source here is not an extremely old vineyard, but one planted in the mid-1970s on the top of Howell Mountain in Napa, showing the minerally character and balance one often finds in mountain fruit. The Black Sears Zin is usually available through the winery’s website for $50.

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I rated a half dozen other Zins 94 or 94+ points, which for me is a very high score, reserved for complex, flavorful wines that are superbly balanced and ageworthy. Two of these were from Robert Biale, a truly great producer of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah: the 2011 Old Kraft Vineyard (scheduled for a Fall release) and 2011 Rocky Ridge (not yet released, usually retailing at $55). The others were the 2009 Vino Noceto OGP Grandpère Vineyard (from the longest producing Zin vineyard in California, planted in 1868; available from the winery for $29); 2009 Bucklin Old Hill Ranch (retailing for an average of $31); 2010 Charter Oak Guido Ragghianti Old World Field Blend (selling through the winery for $58); and a barrel sample of the 2011 Black Sears Zin.

Other producers whose wines showed well at this tasting and who have a very good track record, producing high quality Zins for reasonable prices, are Bonneau, Carol Shelton, Chase, Fritz, Gustafson Family, Kenneth Volk, Limerick Lane, Mauritson/Rockpile Winery, Outpost, Ravenswood, Ridge, Seghesio Family, St. Francis, Storybook Mountain and Woodenhead.

A final note: unlike some reviewers (I’m looking at you Bob Parker), I always list all the tasting notes and scores I record at any tastings I report on, including those that fall below 85 points–generally the low end cutoff for most publications. As a consumer advocate and critic, I don’t see how it’s a legitimate service not to include the lower scoring wines. In the case of a report like this one, however, I’m also doing it out of a love for this grape and the California wine industry.

I think this State makes some amazing wines and has fantastic potential to make even more great wines than we already do. If I feel that I’m picking up a trend that is keeping these wines from being as successful as they might be, I feel obligated to report it–to give the winemakers a chance to do their own evaluation and see whether there might be some truth to my observation and suggestions, more than anything else.

That’s the case with my comments on unbalanced wines and especially overoaked Zins above. I have found this prevalent enough in a number of Zin tastings that I feel obligated to draw the producers’ attention to it, and to suggest they try out some different approaches. I may end up with a few winemakers refusing to speak to me as a result of my scores, but that’s a risk I’m willing to take in spotlighting areas of potential improvement. I care enough about this State’s tremendous wine industry to be honest and forthright in my opinions and advice. They come from a very loving and caring place, and I hope they can be read and taken that way as well.

For tasting notes on all 207 wines I sampled at this event, including many more high scoring wines, see below.

2013 ZAP ZINFANDEL FESTIVAL – The Concourse, San Francisco, California (1/31/2013-2/2/2013)

Accademia dei Racemi

  • 2010 Accademia dei Racemi Zinfandel Primitivo di Manduria Sinfarosa – Italy, Puglia, Primitivo di Manduria (2/2/2013)
    Very dark red violet color; tart currant, juniper berry nose; tart currant, juniper berry palate; medium-plus (89 points)
  • 2011 Accademia dei Racemi Zinfandel Primitivo di Manduria Sinfarosa – Italy, Puglia, Primitivo di Manduria (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark ruby color; tart currant, ripe berry nose; tart currant, ripe berry palate with medium acidity; medium-plus finish (90 points)

Acorn

  • 2011 Acorn Zinfandel Heritage Vines Alegría Vineyards – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark cherry red color; oak, currant nose; oak, currant palate; medium-plus finish (86 points)
  • 2010 Acorn Zinfandel Heritage Vines Alegría Vineyards – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark cherry red color; oak, baked black fruit nose; oak, baked black fruit palate with low acidity; medium finish (84 points)

Adelaida

  • 2010 Adelaida Zinfandel Michael’s Vineyard – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (2/2/2013)
    Dark purple red violet color; roasted black fruit, oak nose; roasted black fruit, oak palate; medium-plus finish (85 points)
  • 2010 Adelaida Zinfandel – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (2/2/2013)
    Very dark purple red violet color; oak, black currant nose; oak, black currant, herbaceous palate; medium-plus finish (84 points)
  • 2010 Adelaida Zinfandel Reserve – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (2/2/2013)
    Very dark purple red violet color; ripe blackberry nose; ripe blackberry, black currant, violets palate; medium-plus finish (90 points)

Alderbrook

  • 2010 Alderbrook Zinfandel Old Vine – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark purple red violet color; ripe berry, berry compote nose; ripe berry, berry compote palate; medium-plus finish 88+ points (88 points)

Alexander Valley

  • 2010 Alexander Valley Vineyards Zinfandel Sin Zin – USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark cherry red color; baked currant nose; baked currant, hot palate; medium-plus finish 87+ points (87 points)
  • 2009 Alexander Valley Vineyards Zinfandel Redemption – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark cherry red color; baked berry, baked black fruit nose; baked berry, baked black fruit, ripe black fruit palate; medium-plus finish 88+ points (88 points)

Amphora

  • 2009 Amphora Zinfandel – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark cherry red color; oak, oak, cherry nose; oaky, cherry palate; medium finish (84 points)
  • 2009 Amphora Zinfandel Timber Crest – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark cherry red color; oak, VA, black currant jam nose; oak, black currant jam palate; medium finish (22 mos in French and American oak–i.e., about 12 mos too long) (83 points)

Ancient Peaks

  • 2010 Ancient Peaks Zinfandel – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark cherry red color; ripe black currant, baked black fruit nose; ripe black currant, baked black fruit, oak palate with low acidity; medium finish (83 points)

Artezin

  • 2011 Artezin Zinfandel Mendocino County – USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County (2/2/2013)
    Dark cherry red color; baked cherry, currant nose; baked cherry, currant palate; medium-plus finish (w/10% Petite Sirah; 14.5% alcohol; neutral French oak) (87 points)
  • 2010 Artezin Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark purple red violet color; baked berry, black fruit nose; baked berry, black fruit palate; medium-plus finish (w/3% Petite Sirah, 1% Syrah; neutral French oak) (86 points)

Ballentine

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Betty and Van Ballentine, a couple with deep family roots in Napa Valley winegrowing, revived the Ballentine brand that Van’s father had started after Prohibition ended but closed down on the father’s retirement in 1959. The couple own 100 planted acres, including older vineyards that had been originally planted by branches of their families. The winemaker is U.C. Davis grad Bruce Devlin. These are admirably balanced wines and the Block 11 bottling is tremendously complex, a terrific value at only $26 from the winery.

  • 2011 Ballentine Vineyards Zinfandel Old Vines – USA, California, Napa Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark purple red violet color; appealing, ripe currant, bramble, raisin nose; tasty, fruit forward, ripe currant, bramble, raisin palate; medium-plus finish (91 points)
  • 2010 Ballentine Vineyards Zinfandel Estate Grown Reserve Block 9 – USA, California, Napa Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark purple red violet color; classic, currant, bramble, ripe Satsuma plum nose; ripe and juicy, currant, bramble, ripe Satsuma plum palate with integrating oak; medium-plus finish 92+ points (92 points)
  • 2007 Ballentine Vineyards Zinfandel Estate Grown Block 11 – USA, California, Napa Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark purple red violet color; appealing, tart berry, black currant, rich black fruit nose; tasty, rich, tart black fruit, light pepper, tar palate; needs 2 years; medium-plus finish 93+ points (good value at $26) (93 points)

Bedrock

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I have previously written here about the remarkable wines being made by Morgan Twain Peterson under this label, including very complex and ageworthy Zins from very old vineyards. Morgan, whose father is Ravenswood’s Joel Peterson, sources Zin from great heritage vineyards like Monte Rosso and his family’s own Bedrock Vineyard. These are truly outstanding Zins, which should age into burnished beauties, much like Ridge’s best Zins.

  • 2011 Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel Saitone Ranch – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (2/2/2013)
    Very dark purple red violet color; very appealing, deep tart berry, violets, black currant nose; tasty, tart black currant, violets, tart black fruit palate; needs 2-plus years; medium-plus finish (93 points)
  • 2011 Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel Old Vine – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark red violet color; appealing, tart plum, tart black currant nose; tar, tart black fruit, Northern Rhone-like, mineral palate with medium acidity; medium-plus finish (good value at $24) (92 points)
  • 2011 Bedrock Wine Co. Bedrock Heritage Wine – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (2/2/2013)
    Medium red violet color; very appealing, pepper, lavender, tar nose; tight, tart black fruit, tart berry palate with medium acidity; needs 2-3 years; medium-plus finish 92+ points (92 points)

Beekeeper

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  • 2010 Beekeeper Cellars Zinfandel Madrone Spring – USA, California, Sonoma County, Rockpile (2/2/2013)
    Very dark red violet color; violet, ripe berry, lavender, light white pepper nose; tight, tasty, tart berry, black fruit, violets palate; medium-plus finish (w/11% Petite Sirah; hybrid French & American oak barrels, 50% new) (91 points)

Bella

  • 2010 Bella Napoli Zinfandel Maple – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark purple red violet color; ripe berry, black fruit nose; juicy, ripe berry, black fruit palate; medium-plus finish (87 points)
  • 2010 Bella Napoli Zinfandel Lilly Hill – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Very dark purple red violet color; ripe black fruit, black currant jam nose; ripe black fruit, black currant jam palate; medium-plus finish (w/10% Petite Sirah) (88 points)
  • 2010 Bella Vineyards Zinfandel Barrel 32 – USA, California, Sonoma County (2/2/2013)
    Opaque purple red violet color; ripe, jammy, berry, black berry nose; ripe, jammy, berry, blackberry, blueberry palate; medium-plus finish (88 points)

Benessere

  • 2010 Benessere Zinfandel Holystone-Collins Old Vines – USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark purple red violet color; floral, tart black currant, violets nose; tart black currant, violets palate; medium-plus finish (89 points)
  • 2009 Benessere Zinfandel Estate Black Glass – USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark purple red violet color; tart berry, berry jam, black currant nose; tart berry, berry jam, black currant palate with low acidity; medium finish (86 points)

Berryessa Gap

  • 2009 Berryessa Gap Zinfandel – USA, California, Central Valley, Yolo County (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark red violet color; oak, charcoal nose; baked black fruit, oak palate; medium-plus finish (81 points)
  • 2009 Berryessa Gap Rocky Ridge Collection Tradition – USA, California, Central Valley, Yolo County (2/2/2013)
    Dark purple red violet color; ripe black currant nose; ripe black currant, oak palate; medium-plus finish (86 points)

Black Sears

These are always remarkable, powerful, complex wines, with a distinctive black pepper note. In 1979, Joyce Black and Jerre Sears purchased land at the top of Howell Mountain. They were partners with Mike Beatty in Howell Mountain Vineyards before selling the HMV label in order to focus on the Black Sears project. They farm the vineyards organically and biodynamically. They have 17 dry farmed acres of Zinfandel, planted in the ’70s with bud wood from the Hayne Vineyard, and six acres planted to Cabernet Sauvignon and small parcels of Cabernet Franc and Syrah. Black Sears’ Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon have gone into wines made by Robert Craig, Elyse, Schrader, T-Vine and Turley, among others. In 1997, the family started producing a few hundred cases per year under their own label. Their winemaker currently is Thomas Brown; the ’04 was made by the equally renowned Ted Lemon.

  • 2010 Black Sears Winery Zinfandel Estate – USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain (2/2/2013)
    Very dark cherry red color; appealing, tart berry, deep black currant, lavender, light pepper nose; lavender, pepper, tart berry, black currant, graphite palate; needs 2-plus years; medium-plus finish (95 points)
  • 2004 Black Sears Winery Zinfandel Estate – USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark cherry red color with pale meniscus; appealing, redolent, tart berry, dried berry, ripe raspberry, black raspberry nose; tasty, youthful, Pinot-like, tart cherry, light pepper, mineral palate; medium-plus finish (made by Ted Lemon) (93 points)
  • 2011 Black Sears Winery Zinfandel Estate – USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain (2/2/2013)
    Barrel sample – dark purple red violet color; redolent, tart berry, lavender, light pepper, charcoal nose; delicious, complex, tart berry, lavender, light pepper, charcoal palate; medium-plus finish 94-96 points (94 points)

Bogle

  • 2010 Bogle Vineyards Zinfandel Old Vine – USA, California (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark red violet color; ripe berry, black currant nose; ripe berry, black currant palate; medium finish (87 points)
  • 2007 Bogle Vineyards Phantom – USA, California (2/2/2013)
    Dark purple red violet color; baked berry, baked black fruit nose; baked berry, baked black fruit palate; medium finish (87 points)

Bonneau

  • 2009 Bonneau Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Medium ruby color; appealing, tart plum, berry nose; classic Zin, tart berry, brambly, tart plum palate; medium-plus finish (91 points)
  • 2009 Bonneau Zinfandel Egret – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County (2/2/2013)
    Dark red violet color; oak, ripe red currant nose; oak, ripe red currant palate; medium finish (86 points)
  • 2009 Bonneau Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark ruby color; oak, tart berry nose; oak, tart berry palate; medium finish (85 points)
  • 2008 Bonneau Zinfandel Reserve Dry Creek Valley – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Medium red violet color; oak, baked berry nose; oak, baked berry palate; medium finish (34 mos in oak) (86 points)

Bonterra

  • 2010 Bonterra Vineyards Zinfandel – USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark cherry red color; baked berry, baked black fruit nose; baked berry, baked black fruit palate with low acidity; medium finish (84 points)

Brown Estate

  • 2011 Brown Estate Zinfandel – USA, California, Napa Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark cherry red color; rich, ripe berry, baked berry nose; rich, tasty, ripe berry, baked berry palate; medium-plus finish 90+ points (90 points)
  • 2011 Brown Estate Zinfandel Chiles Valley Vineyards – USA, California, Napa Valley, Chiles Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark cherry red color; baked berry, oak nose; rich, baked berry, oak palate; medium-plus finish (90 points)
  • 2010 Brown Estate Chaos Theory – USA, California, Napa Valley, Chiles Valley (2/2/2013)
    Opaque purple red violet color; appealing, ripe black currant, ripe berry nose; tight, ripe black currant, ripe berry palate; medium-plus finish (89 points)

Brutocao

  • 2010 Brutocao Zinfandel Estate Bottled Bliss Vineyard – USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino (2/2/2013)
    Dark cherry red color; oak chips, baked berry nose; dull, baked berry palate with low acidity; medium finish (83 points)
  • 2009 Brutocao Zinfandel Estate Bottled Hopland Ranches – USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark cherry red color; black currant extract, black currant palate; medium finish (87 points)

Bucklin

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Will Bucklin, who used to be a winemaker at King Estate in Oregon, manages and farms Old Hill Ranch Vineyard, Sonoma’s oldest mixed black vineyard. His mother, Ann Teller, owns the vineyard. Will’s stepfather purchased the property, which is adjacent to the Sonoma State Hospital, in 1980. I wrote about the vineyard and my visit there in this report last year. Bucklin splits the grapes from this vineyard with Ravenswood. His share of the older vines goes into the glorious Old Hill Ranch bottling. The grapes from younger vines that have been planted where older vines had died out or been failing go into the Bambino bottling, which is also quite good.

  • 2009 Bucklin Zinfandel Old Hill Ranch – USA, California, Sonoma County (2/2/2013)
    Dark black red violet color; very appealing, lifted, ripe berry, black raspberry, black plum nose; tasty, rich but poised, black raspberry, ripe berry, ripe black fruit, violets palate; medium-plus finish (94 points)
  • 2011 Bucklin Zinfandel Bambino Old Hill Ranch – USA, California, Sonoma County (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark red violet color; appealing, briary, tart berry, currant, charcoal nose; tasty, tart black fruit, charcoal, dried herbs, thyme palate; medium-plus finish 92+ points (picked earlier than the Ancient Field Blend, with no new oak) (92 points)

Cakebread

  • 2010 Cakebread Cellars Zinfandel – USA, California, North Coast, Red Hills Lake County (2/2/2013)
    Dark purple red violet color; tart black fruit, roast coffee nose; tart black fruit, coffee palate; medium finish (15.1% alcohol) (87 points)

Calcareous

  • 2011 Calcareous Zinfandel Twisted Sisters – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (2/2/2013)
    Dark ruby color; ripe currant, carbonic maceration nose; baked currant palate; medium finish (85 points)

Calstar

  • 2008 Calstar Cellars Zinfandel Alta Zin Cardanini Estate – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, El Dorado County (2/2/2013)
    Medium red violet color; tart berry, tart black fruit, oak nose; tight, ripe black fruit, blackberry palate; medium-plus finish (1/2 Hungarian, 1/2 American oak, 30% new) (90 points)

Candor

  • NV Candor Zinfandel Lot 3 – USA, California, Central Coast (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark red violet color; oak, baked red fruit nose; oak, baked red fruit palate; short-medium finish (80 points)

Carol Shelton

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  • 2009 Carol Shelton Wines Zinfandel Wild Thing Old Vine – USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark cherry red color; redolent, berry cordial, berry syrup nose; creamy textured, baked berry, berry syrup, jammy, berry compote palate; medium-plus finish 90+ points (90 points)
  • 2009 Carol Shelton Wines Zinfandel Monga Zin® Lopez Vineyard – USA, California, South Coast, Cucamonga Valley (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark cherry red color; redolent, dried berry, berry syrup, licorice nose; brambly, ripe berry, wild berry, berry syrup palate; medium-plus finish (91 points)
  • 2009 Carol Shelton Wines Zinfandel Rocky Reserve Florence Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Rockpile (2/2/2013)
    Dark cherry red color; appealing, tart berry, wild berry, ripe black fruit nose; tight, ripe black fruit, ripe berry, black cherry palate; medium-plus finish 91+ points (91 points)
  • 2009 Carol Shelton Wines Zinfandel Karma Zin Bastoni – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (2/2/2013)
    Medium red violet color; redolent, baked berry, berry cordial, wild berry nose; baked berry, berry cordial, wild berry palate; medium-plus finish 91+ points (91 points)
  • NV Carol Shelton Wines Zinfandel Black Magic Late Harvest – USA, California, Sonoma County (2/2/2013)
    From 375 ml – medium red violet color; redolent, tart berry, dried berry, cedar nose; rich, creamy textured, ripe berry, baked berry, cedar, blackberry syrup palate; medium-plus finish (15% alcohol; 4.7 RS) (89 points)

Castoro

  • 2010 Castoro Cellars Zinfandel – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark ruby color; stewed berry nose; stewed berry palate; medium finish (82 points)
  • 2010 Castoro Cellars Zinfandel Whale Rock Estate – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (2/2/2013)
    Dark ruby color; ripe red currant nose; ripe red currant palate; medium finish (85 points)
  • 2011 Castoro Cellars Zinfandel Zinfusion – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (2/2/2013)
    Dark ruby color; ripe red currant nose; ripe red currant palate; medium-plus finish (w/11% Petite Sirah) (86 points)

Cedarville

  • 2010 Cedarville Vineyard Zinfandel Estate Bottled – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, El Dorado (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark ruby color; oak, ripe red currant nose; oak, ripe red currant palate; medium-plus finish (85 points)

C.G. di Arie

  • 2009 C.G. di Arie Zinfandel Break Away Sierra Foothills – USA, California, Sierra Foothills (2/2/2013)
    Medium cherry red color; ripe cherry, berry nose; ripe cherry, berry palate with low acidity; medium finish (83 points)
  • 2009 C.G. di Arie Zinfandel American Legend – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County (2/2/2013)
    Medium cherry red color; oak, baked black fruit nose; oak, baked black fruit palate; medium finish (83 points)
  • 2006 C.G. di Arie Zinfandel Southern Exposure – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, California Shenandoah Valley (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark red violet color; VA, baked cherry nose; pie crust, baked cherry palate; medium finish (86 points)

Chacewater

  • 2010 Chacewater Zinfandel – USA, California, Sierra Foothills (2/2/2013)
    Dark ruby color; ripe red currant, red berry nose; ripe red currant, red berry palate; needs 1 years; medium-plus finish 86+ points (86 points)

Charter Oak

I wrote at length about the magnificent and lovingly created wines of Charter Oak in this post devoted to the producer last year. Robert Fanucci learned to make wine from his Italian grandfather, and inherited the small vineyard and house where his grandfather made wines in the basement. Rob continues to make exquisite wines there, with grapes sourced from some of the best vineyards in Napa and Sonoma. When he’s not making wine, Rob is a tax lawyer who counts many fellow winemakers among his clients.

  • 2010 Charter Oak Guido Ragghianti Old World Field Blend – USA, California, Napa Valley (2/2/2013)
    Nearly opaque purple red violet color; appealing, lifted, tart blackberry, violets, black currant nose; rich, layered, silky textured, tart blackberry, violets, black currant palate; medium-plus finish 94+ points (94 points)
  • 2010 Charter Oak Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark ruby color; appealing, boysenberry, tart berry syrup nose; rich, tasty, poised, boysenberry, tart berry syrup palate; medium-plus finish (93 points)
  • 2010 Charter Oak Zinfandel The Zinfandel Mind – USA, California, Napa Valley (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark ruby color; appealing, tart black fruit, tart black currant, baked berry nose; tart black fruit, tart black currant, baked berry, black currant preserves palate; medium-plus finish 92+ points (92 points)

Chase

  • 2009 Chase Zinfandel Hayne Vineyard – USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena (2/2/2013)
    Dark red violet color; roasted plum, red fruit nose; tasty, roasted plum, red fruit palate; medium-plus finish (91 points)
  • 2008 Chase Zinfandel Hayne Vineyard – USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena (2/2/2013)
    Medium red violet color; roasted plum, red fruit nose; tasty, roasted plum, red fruit palate; medium-plus finish 90+ points (90 points)
  • 2007 Chase Zinfandel Hayne Vineyard – USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena (2/2/2013)
    Dark ruby color; roasted plum, light pepper nose; tasty, roasted plum, light pepper palate with good acidity; medium-plus finish 90+ points (90 points)

Chateau Montelena

  • 2010 Chateau Montelena Zinfandel Estate – USA, California, Napa Valley, Calistoga (2/2/2013)
    Dark ruby color; ripe red currant nose; mono-dimensional, ripe red currant palate; medium finish (87 points)

Chatom

  • 2008 Chatom Vineyards Zinfandel – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Calaveras County (2/2/2013)
    Very dark ruby color; ripe black currant nose; ripe black currant palate with low acidity; medium finish (86 points)

Cline

  • 2011 Cline Cellars Zinfandel Ancient Vines – USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Contra Costa County (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark red violet color; red currant, red berry nose; red currant, red berry palate; medium finish 86+ points (86 points)
  • 2011 Cline Cellars Zinfandel Big Break – USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Contra Costa County (2/2/2013)
    Very dark red violet color; cough syrup, berry cordial nose; cough syrup, berry cordial palate; medium-plus finish (87 points)
  • 2011 Cline Cellars Zinfandel Sonoma County – USA, California, Sonoma County (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark red violet color; tart red berry nose; ripe red berry, red currant palate; medium-plus finish 87+ points (87 points)

Collier Falls

  • 2009 Collier Falls Primitivo – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Medium ruby color; redolent, VA, baked red fruit nose; baked red fruit, licorice palate; needs 1-2 years; medium-plus finish 88+ points (88 points)

Cypher

  • 2010 Cypher Winery Zinfandel Dante Dusi – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (2/2/2013)
    Dark ruby color; ripe red currant, red berry nose; ripe red currant, red berry palate with a little heat; medium-plus finish (86 points)
  • 2010 Cypher Winery Zinfandel Preston – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (2/2/2013)
    Dark ruby color; ripe red currant, ripe red fruit nose; ripe red currant, ripe red fruit palate; medium-plus finish 86+ points (86 points)

D-Cubed

  • 2009 D-Cubed Zinfandel Napa Valley – USA, California, Napa Valley (2/2/2013)
    Medium red violet color; dried berry, tart berry nose; creamy textured, tart black fruit, oak palate; medium finish (87 points)
  • 2008 D-Cubed Zinfandel Korte Ranch – USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena (2/2/2013)
    Medium red violet color; oak, coffee, tart black fruit nose; oak, coffee, tar black fruit palate; medium finish (86 points)

Dashe

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  • 2010 Dashe Cellars Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark ruby color; appealing, ripe berry, black fruit, blueberry nose; ripe berry, black fruit, blueberry, brett palate; medium finish (83% Zinfandel, 16% Petite Sirah, 1% Carignane) (89 points)
  • 2010 Dashe Cellars Zinfandel Florence Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark ruby color; redolent, blackberry, black currant, bramble nose; appealing, wild berry, lavender, black cherry, light pepper palate with character; medium-plus finish (93 points)
  • 2009 Dashe Cellars Zinfandel Late Harvest – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    From 375 ml – medium dark cherry red color; redolent, tart boysenberry, mulberry nose; plush, ripe black fruit, tart boysenberry, mulberry palate; medium-plus finish 89+ points (89 points)

Dogwood

  • 2010 Dogwood Cellars Zinfandel Old Vine Sargentini Vineyards – USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County (2/2/2013)
    Dark ruby color; redolent, ripe berry, briary, blackberry nose; ripe berry, briary, blackberry palate; medium-plus finish (w/12% Carignane and 5% Petite Sirah) (89 points)
  • 2010 Dogwood Cellars Primitivo – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark red violet color; baked berry, berry compote, bramble nose; baked berry, berry compote, bramble, black currant palate; medium-plus finish (w/25% Petite Sirah) (90 points)

Four Vines

  • 2010 Four Vines Zinfandel Truant Old Vine – USA, California (2/2/2013)
    Dark ruby color; lifted, tart berry, tart currant palate; tart berry, tart currant palate; medium finish (77% Zinfandel, 13% Syrah, 5% Petite Sirah, 3% Barbera, 2% Sangiovese) (85 points)
  • 2010 Four Vines Zinfandel Biker – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (2/2/2013)
    Medium red violet color; ripe berry, baked berry nose; ripe berry, baked berry, tar palate; medium-plus finish (86 points)
  • 2010 Four Vines Zinfandel Maverick – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark red violet color; ripe berry, oak nose; ripe berry, oak palate; medium finish 85+ points (85 points)
  • 2010 Four Vines Zinfandel The Sophisticate – USA, California, Sonoma County (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark red violet color; baked berry, oak nose; baked berry, oak palate; medium-plus finish 87+ points (87 points)

Frank Family

  • 2010 Frank Family Vineyards Zinfandel – USA, California, Napa Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark purple red violet color; ripe berry, black currant nose; creamy textured, ripe berry, black currant palate; medium-plus finish (86% Zinfandel, 6% Petite Sirah, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Tempranillo; 18 mos in 35% new oak; 15% alcohol; 3.75 pH) (89 points)

Fritz

  • 2010 Fritz Winery Zinfandel Estate Grown – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Very dark ruby color; tart black currant, tart berry nose; tight, tart black currant, tart berry, violets palate; needs 1-2 years; medium-plus finish (91 points)
  • 2010 Fritz Winery Zinfandel Estate Reserve Dry Creek Valley – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Very dark ruby color; ripe black currant, vanilla nose; rich, ripe black currant, vanilla, black cherry syrup palate; medium-plus finish 90+ points (90 points)

Gamba

  • 2010 Gamba Zinfandel Old Vine Starr Road Ranch Moratto Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark ruby color; ripe black currant, ripe berry nose; ripe black currant, ripe berry palate with heat; medium-plus finish 87+ points (87 points)
  • 2010 Gamba Zinfandel Family Ranches – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark ruby color; ripe berry, ripe currant nose; ripe berry, ripe currant palate with heat; medium-plus finish (87 points)

Grgich Hills

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  • 2009 Grgich Hills Zinfandel – USA, California, Napa Valley (2/2/2013)
    Very dark purple red violet color; tart berry, tart currant, dried black fruit nose; tart berry, tart currant, dried black fruit, charcoal palate; medium-plus finish 91+ points (with 3% Petite Sirah) (91 points)
  • 2009 Grgich Hills Zinfandel Miljenko’s Old Vines – USA, California, Napa Valley (2/2/2013)
    Opaque purple red violet color; violets, ripe berry, black currant, tar nose; rich, tight, deep, black currant, tar, violets palate; needs 2 years; medium-plus finish (93 points)

Gustafson Family

  • 2009 Gustafson Family Vineyards Mountain Cuvée – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark ruby color; appealing, black currant, ripe black fruit nose; black currant, ripe black fruit palate; medium-plus finish (14.7% alcohol; w/3% Petite Sirah) (91 points)
  • 2009 Gustafson Family Vineyards Zinfandel “Estate” Heritage Tree Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark ruby color; deep black currant, baked berry nose; deep black currant, baked berry palate; medium-plus finish 91+ points (14.9% alcohol; 15 mos in French and American oak) (91 points)
  • 2010 Gustafson Family Vineyards Mountain Cuvée – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Very dark ruby color; baked berry, black currant nose; baked berry, black currant palate; needs 1-2 years; medium-plus finish (15.1% alcohol; w/17% Petite Sirah) (91 points)

Haraszthy Family

  • 2009 Haraszthy Family Zinfandel Dunbar vineyard Sonoma Valley – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark cherry red color; VA, tart berry nose; tart berry, black currant palate; medium-plus finish 88+ points (88 points)
  • 2010 Haraszthy Family Zinfandel Old Vine Lodi – USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark cherry red color; oak, tar, black fruit nose; oak, tar, black fruit palate; medium finish (86 points)
  • 2009 Haraszthy Family Zinfandel Solus Sto – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark cherry red color; oak, black currant nose; oak, black currant palate; medium-plus finish (87 points)

Harney Lane

  • 2010 Harney Lane Zinfandel – USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi (2/2/2013)
    Dark purple red violet color; tart berry, oak, black currant nose; tart berry, oak, black currant, tar palate; needs 1-2 years; medium-plus finish 90+ points (90 points)
  • 2010 Harney Lane Zinfandel Old Vine Lizzy James Vineyard – USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi (2/2/2013)
    Dark purple red violet color; ripe black currant, baked berry nose; ripe black currant, baked berry palate; needs 1-2 years; medium-plus finish (90 points)

Hendry

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  • 2010 Hendry Zinfandel Blocks 7 & 22 – USA, California, Napa Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark cherry red color; very tart berry, tart black currant nose; creamy textured, rich but poised, tart berry, tart black cherry palate; medium-plus finish 92+ points (92 points)
  • 2010 Hendry Zinfandel Mike & Molly R.W. Moore Vineyard – USA, California, Napa Valley (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark cherry red color; appealing, tart blackberry, wild berry, berry pie nose; rich, layered, elegant, tart blackberry, wild berry, berry pie palate; medium-plus finish (93 points)
  • 2011 Hendry Zinfandel Mike & Molly R.W. Moore Vineyard – USA, California, Napa Valley (2/2/2013)
    Barrel sample – medium dark cherry red color; appealing, black currant, ripe berry nose; tasty, plush, poised, black currant, ripe berry palate; medium-plus finish 92-94 points (92 points)
  • 2010 Hendry Zinfandel Block 28 – USA, California, Napa Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark purple red violet color; tart berry, black currant nose; tart berry, black currant palate; medium-plus finish 91+ points (91 points)

Hunt

  • 2007 Hunt Cellars Zinfandel Outlaw Ridge – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (2/2/2013)
    Medium red violet color; mature, tart black currant, stewed black fruit nose; mature, tart black currant, stewed black fruit palate; medium finish (87 points)
  • 2007 Hunt Cellars Zinfandel Rocket Man Zin Destiny Vineyards – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark red violet color; ripe berry, baked berry nose; ripe berry, baked berry palate; medium-plus finish 88+ points (88 points)
  • 2007 Hunt Cellars Thriller Red Destiny Vineyard – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (2/2/2013)
    Dark red violet color; stewed black fruit, black currant nose; stewed black fruit, black currant palate; medium-plus finish (40% Syrah, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Zinfandel, 10% Merlot, 5% Petite Sirah) (88 points)
  • 2007 Hunt Cellars Zinfandel Zinovation – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (2/2/2013)
    Dark purple red violet color; ripe berry, black currant, blueberry nose; mature, tart berry, black currant palate; medium-plus finish (89 points)

J. Baldwin

  • 2009 J. Baldwin Wines Zinfandel Slater – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark red violet color; baked black fruit, baked berry nose; baked black fruit, baked berry palate with lowish acidity; medium-plus finish (87 points)
  • 2009 J. Baldwin Wines Zinfandel Rattlesnake Ridge Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark red violet color; baked and stewed black fruit, tar nose; baked and stewed black fruit, tar palate; needs 2 years; medium-plus finish (88 points)

J. Dusi

  • 2010 J. Dusi Zinfandel Dante Dusi Vineyard – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (2/2/2013)
    Very dark red violet color; ripe currant, boysenberry, jammy nose; ripe currant, boysenberry, jammy palate; medium-plus finish 88+ points (88 points)
  • 2009 J. Dusi Fiorento – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark red violet color; appealing, black currant, blueberry nose; oak, black currant palate; needs 3-plus years to integrate; medium-plus finish (with 25% Syrah and 25% Carignan) (87 points)

Kenneth Volk

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  • 2010 Kenneth Volk Zinfandel Enz Vineyard – USA, California, Central Coast, Lime Kiln Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark purple red violet color; appealing, ripe berry, black currant nose; ripe berry, black currant palate; medium-plus finish (91 points)
  • 2009 Kenneth Volk Zinfandel Enz Vineyard – USA, California, Central Coast, Lime Kiln Valley (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark cherry red color; berry compote, vanilla nose; tasty, berry compote, vanilla palate; medium-plus finish 91+ points (91 points)
  • 2009 Kenneth Volk Zinfandel Terraces Paso Robles – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark cherry red color; redolent, tart berry, blackberry nose; tart berry, blackberry, ripe black currant palate; medium-plus finish (91 points)

Klinker Brick

  • 2010 Klinker Brick Zinfandel Old Vine – USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi (2/2/2013)
    Dark red violet color; baked berry nose; baked and roasted berry palate; medium finish (87 points)
  • 2010 Klinker Brick Zinfandel Old Vine Marisa Vineyard – USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi (2/2/2013)
    Slightly cloudy dark red violet color; lavender, baked berry nose; lavender, baked berry palate; medium-plus finish 87+ points (87 points)
  • 2010 Klinker Brick Zinfandel Old Vine Old Ghost – USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi (2/2/2013)
    Very dark red violet color; tart berry, black fruit nose; ripe black fruit, tart berry, French oak palate; medium-plus finish 88+ points (selection of best lots) (88 points)

Ledson

  • 2009 Ledson Zinfandel Old Vine Dry Creek Valley – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Medium red violet color; redolent, berry compote, oak, chocolate nose; berry compote, oak, chocolate, ripe berry palate; medium finish (87 points)
  • 2009 Ledson Zinfandel Century Vines Russian River Valley – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (2/2/2013)
    Medium ruby color; oak, brett nose; ripe berry, oak, brett palate; medium finish 85+ points (85 points)

Limerick Lane

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  • 2010 Limerick Lane Zinfandel – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark purple red violet color; tart berry, ripe plum nose; fruit forward, tart berry, ripe plum palate; medium-plus finish (90 points)
  • 2010 Limerick Lane Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Very dark red violet color; appealing, black currant, ripe berry nose; tasty, black currant, ripe berry palate; medium-plus finish (91 points)
  • 2010 Limerick Lane Zinfandel – USA, California, Sonoma County (2/2/2013)
    Very dark red violet color; tart black currant nose; tart black currant, tart berry, red berry palate; medium-plus finish 90+ points (90 points)

Mauritson/Rockpile

  • 2011 Mauritson Wines Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark red violet color; tart currant, loam nose; tart currant, loam, black currant, herbs palate; medium-plus finish 91+ points (91 points)
  • 2011 Rockpile Winery (Mauritson) Zinfandel Rockpile Ridge Vineyards – USA, California, Sonoma County, Rockpile (2/2/2013)
    Dark red violet color; herbs, floral, red currant nose; tasty, herbs, floral, red currant palate; medium-plus finish (91 points)
  • 2011 Rockpile Winery (Mauritson) Zinfandel Westphall Ridge Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Rockpile (2/2/2013)
    Dark red violet color; lifted, herbs, lavender nose; herbs, lavender, tart black currant palate; medium-plus finish 91+ points (91 points)

Mazzocco

  • 2010 Mazzocco Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Very dark ruby color; ripe black currant, ripe berry nose; ripe black currant, ripe berry palate with lowish acidity; medium finish (88 points)

Mellowood

  • 2008 Mellowood Vineyards Zinfandel – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Fair Play (2/2/2013)
    Medium cherry red color; baked black fruit, vanilla oak nose; silky textured, deep blackberry, ripe black fruit palate with low acidity; medium-plus finish (88 points)
  • 2009 Mellowood Vineyards Zinfandel – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Fair Play (2/2/2013)
    Medium cherry red color; ripe berry, black fruit nose; ripe berry, black fruit, pencil lead palate, thinner than the ’08; medium finish (88 points)
  • 2010 Mellowood Vineyards Zinfandel – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Fair Play (2/2/2013)
    Medium red violet color; tart black fruit, balsamic nose; light-medium bodied, tart black fruit palate; medium finish (87 points)

Mill Creek

  • 2010 Mill Creek Vineyards Zinfandel – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark ruby color; ripe currant, dried currant nose; ripe currant, dried currant palate; medium-plus finish (89 points)

Milliaire

  • 2010 Milliaire Cellars Zinfandel Black Sheep – USA, California, Sierra Foothills (2/2/2013)
    Dark ruby color; ripe berry, black currant nose; ripe berry, black currant, loam palate; medium-plus finish (89 points)
  • 2010 Milliaire Cellars Zinfandel Clockspring – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County (2/2/2013)
    Very dark ruby color; ripe black currant, boysenberry, berry jam nose; ripe black currant, boysenberry, berry jam palate; medium-plus finish 89+ points (89 points)
  • 2009 Milliaire Cellars Zinfandel Heritage Old Vine Ghirardelli – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Calaveras County (2/2/2013)
    Very dark ruby color; ripe black currant, blackberry jam nose; ripe black currant, blackberry jam palate; medium-plus finish (89 points)

Miro

  • 2011 Miro Zinfandel Wolcott-Bevill/Piccety Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark ruby color; ripe berry, ripe black currant nose; ripe berry, ripe black currant, tar palate; medium-plus finish (88 points)

MoniClaire

  • 2011 MoniClaire Zinfandel – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark red violet color; ripe currant, black currant nose; ripe currant, black currant, tar palate; medium-plus finish (88 points)

Mounts Family

  • 2010 Mounts Family Winery Zinfandel Old Vine – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Opaque purple red violet color; effusive, baked berry, berry compote, lavender nose; tasty, rich, ripe berry, bramble, baked berry, vanilla palate; medium-plus finish 90+ points (15.2% alcohol) (90 points)

Novy Family

  • 2010 Novy Family Wines Zinfandel Russian River Valley – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark cherry red color; appealing, ripe black currant, baked berry nose; high pitched, black currant, baked berry palate; needs 1-plus year; medium-plus finish (89 points)
  • 2011 Novy Family Wines Zinfandel Papera Ranch – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (2/2/2013)
    Barrel sample – dark purple red violet color; tasty, blueberry, ripe berry palate; medium-plus finish 90-92 points (90 points)

Orin Swift

  • 2011 Orin Swift The Prisoner – USA, California, Napa Valley (2/2/2013)
    Very dark ruby color; lifted, ripe red currant, baked plum nose; ripe red currant, baked plum palate with residual sugar; medium finish (87 points)
  • 2010 Orin Swift Zinfandel Saldo – USA, California (2/2/2013)
    Very dark ruby color; ripe black currant, tart black fruit, tar nose; ripe black currant, tart black fruit, tar palate; medium-plus finish 88+ points (88 points)

Outpost

  • 2010 Outpost Zinfandel Howell Mountain – USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain (2/2/2013)
    Medium red violet color; appealing, wild berry, dried berry, ripe black fruit, vanilla nose; tight, ripe black fruit, tart berry, vanilla palate; needs 2 years; medium-plus finish (91 points)

Pech Merle

  • 2009 Pech Merle Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark ruby color; baked berry, black fruit, oak nose; baked berry, black fruit, oak palate; medium-plus finish (11 mos in French oak, 40% new) (88 points)
  • 2010 Pech Merle Zinfandel Cuccio Dry Creek Valley – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark ruby color; appealing, black fruit, baked black fruit nose; black fruit, baked black fruit palate; medium-plus finish (89 points)
  • 2010 Pech Merle Zinfandel Treborce Dry Creek Valley – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Very dark ruby color; ripe black fruit, violets nose; ripe black fruit, violets palate; medium-plus finish 89+ points (with 4% Petite Sirah) (89 points)

Pedroncelli

  • 2010 Pedroncelli Zinfandel Mother Clone Dry Creek Valley – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark red violet color; tart cherry, ripe black cherry, black currant nose; rich, ripe black cherry, black currant palate; medium-plus finish (good value at $17) (90 points)
  • 2009 Pedroncelli Zinfandel Bushnell Vineyard Dry Creek Valley – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark red violet color; baked berry, black fruit nose; tight, baked berry, black fruit palate; needs 1+ year; medium-plus finish (89 points)

Peju Province

  • 2009 Peju Province Winery Zinfandel – USA, California, Napa Valley (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark red violet color; baked berry, black fruit, dark chocolate nose; baked berry, black fruit, dark chocolate palate; medium-plus finish (89 points)

Pezzi King

  • 2010 Pezzi King Zinfandel – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark red violet color; brambly, currant nose; classic Zin, brambly, currant palate; medium-plus finish 88+ points (88 points)
  • 2010 Pezzi King Zinfandel Elevation 1040 – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark red violet color; ripe black currant, bramble nose; juicy, ripe black currant, bramble palate; medium-plus finish (89 points)
  • 2010 Pezzi King Zinfandel Midnight Dry Creek Valley Estate – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Very dark red violet color; ripe currant, bramble nose; ripe currant, bramble palate showing some heat; medium-plus finish (88 points)

Predator

  • 2011 Predator Zinfandel Old Vine – USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi (2/2/2013)
    Dark red violet color; oak, baked berry nose; oak, baked berry palate; medium-plus finish (84 points)
  • 2009 Predator Zinfandel Old Vine Rutherford Ranch Vineyards – USA, California, Napa Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark cherry red color; odd, tar, roasted black fruit nose; tar, oak, roasted black fruit palate; medium finish (83 points)

Puccioni

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I previously profiled Puccioni in part I of my 2011 report on a visit to Dry Creek Valley. Starting with the 2007 vintage, the Puccioni wines are based on grapes grown on Glenn Proctor’s family’s ranch, where his great grandfather, Angelo Puccioni, who came to the area from the small village of Coselli, Italy, first planted Zinfandel in 1904. The ranch sits in a small valley with up slopes on each side. The elevations go from 400 to 1000 feet. The vineyards are planted on the west facing slopes. The hillside vineyards are planted to old clone Zinfandel, on St George and 1103 Rootstock, largely head trained. The ranch’s 15 acres of vines are largely Zin, and a field blend in the old vine vineyard planted in 1904. One acre is planted to Alicante Bouchet and another to Petite Sirah.

  • 2010 Puccioni Zinfandel Old Vine – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Very dark red violet color; ripe black currant, blackberry nose; rich, tasty, ripe black currant, blackberry palate with character; medium-plus finish (with 18% Petite Sirah; 15.4% alcohol) 92+ points (92 points)

Ravenswood

  • 2010 Ravenswood Icon – USA, California, Sonoma County (2/2/2013)
    Dark purple red violet color; tart berry, black currant nose; concentrated, tart berry, tart black fruit, black currant palate; medium-plus finish 91+ points (blend of mixed black grapes) (91 points)

Ridge

  • 2005 Ridge Lytton Springs – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Bricking medium red violet color; redolent, chocolate, baked berry nose; creamy textured, baked berry, milk chocolate, bay leaf palate; medium-plus finish (77% Zinfandel, 17% Petite Sirah, 6% Carignane; 12 months in barrel, 20% new American oak, 25% one and two years old, and 55% in three to five-year-old barrels) (92 points)

Robert Biale

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These are always remarkable wines–ripe and powerful, but also complex and balanced. The Biale family have been growing Zinfandel since 1937. The winery currently owns and farms 24 acres of vineyards, which supplies about 30% of the grapes for their wines. The winemaker is Steve Hall.

  • 2011 Robert Biale Zinfandel Black Chicken Biale Winery Vineyard – USA, California, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll (2/2/2013)
    Medium red violet color; appealing, lavender, tart berry, black currant nose; tasty, tart berry, pepper, tart black currant palate with medium acidity; needs 2 years; medium-plus finish (93 points)
  • 2011 Robert Biale Zinfandel R.W. Moore Vineyard – USA, California, Napa Valley (2/2/2013)
    Medium red violet color; ripe black currant, ripe berry, bramble nose; tasty, ripe black currant, ripe berry, bramble palate; needs 2-3 years; medium-plus finish 92+ points (92 points)
  • 2011 Robert Biale Zinfandel Rocky Ridge – USA, California, Sonoma County, Rockpile (2/2/2013)
    Medium red violet color; very appealing, light pepper, tar, dried berry, lavender nose; very tasty, poised, elegant, complex, light pepper, tar, dried berry, lavender palate; medium-plus finish 94+ points (94 points)
  • 2011 Robert Biale Zinfandel Varozza Vineyard – USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark red violet color; appealing, black currant, bramble, violets nose; tasty, rich but poised tart black currant, violets, tart berry palate; medium-plus finish 93+ points (93 points)
  • 2011 Robert Biale Zinfandel Old Kraft Vineyard – USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena (2/2/2013)
    Pre-release (Fall ’13 release) – medium red violet color; very appealing, black cherry syrup, boysenberry, black cherry, black currant nose; tight, tasty, elegant, black cherry syrup, boysenberry, black cherry, black currant palate; needs 2-3 years; medium-plus finish (94 points)

Rosenblum

  • 2009 Rosenblum Cellars Zinfandel Harris Kratka Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley (2/2/2013)
    Very dark red violet color; ripe berry, baked berry nose; ripe berry, baked berry palate showing heat; medium-plus finish (85 points)
  • 2009 Rosenblum Cellars Zinfandel Annette’s Reserve – USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County (2/2/2013)
    Very dark red violet color; heat, berry jam nose; berry jam, ripe black fruit palate, showing heat; medium-plus finish (86 points)
  • 2009 Rosenblum Cellars Zinfandel Maggie’s Reserve – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark purple red violet color; baked berry, baked black currant, oak nose; baked berry, baked black currant, oak palate; medium-plus finish (more balanced in terms of alcohol than the rest of the ’09 Rosenblum Zins) (88 points)
  • 2009 Rosenblum Cellars Zinfandel Rockpile Road Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Rockpile (2/2/2013)
    Opaque purple red violet color; VA, baked black fruit nose; baked black fruit palate showing heat; medium finish (83 points)
  • 2009 Rosenblum Cellars Zinfandel Reserve Carla’s Vineyard – USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Contra Costa County (2/2/2013)
    Opaque purple red violet color; baked black fruit, berry jam nose; baked black fruit, berry jam palate showing heat; medium-plus finish (84 points)
  • 2009 Rosenblum Cellars Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (2/2/2013)
    Very dark purple red violet color; black fruit, black cherry nose; black fruit, black cherry palate; medium-plus finish 87+ points (87 points)

Saddleback

  • 2010 Saddleback Cellars Zinfandel Old Vines – USA, California, Napa Valley (2/2/2013)
    Very dark ruby color; intense, roasted black fruit, tar nose; intense, roasted black fruit, tar palate; medium-plus finish (88 points)

Sanctuary Estates

  • 2009 Sanctuary Estates Zinfandel Mariah Vineyard Mendocino Ridge – USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino Ridge (2/2/2013)
    Medium cherry red color with pale meniscus; black cherry, oak nose; simple, black cherry palate with low acidity; medium finish (85 points)

Scott Harvey

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  • 2010 Scott Harvey Zinfandel Old Vine Reserve – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County (2/2/2013)
    Medium cherry red color with pale meniscus; appealing, violets, tart blackberry nose; rich, creamy textured, balanced, violets, blackberry palate; medium-plus finish (93 points)

Scotto Family

  • 2009 Scotto Family Wines Zinfandel – USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark cherry red color; berry jam nose; berry jam palate; medium finish (86 points)

Seghesio Family

  • 2011 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Sonoma County – USA, California, Sonoma County (2/2/2013)
    Very dark ruby color; red currant, light pepper nose; red currant, light pepper palate; medium-plus finish (89 points)
  • 2010 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Cortina – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Very dark ruby color; tart berry, baked berry, berry jam nose; tart berry, baked berry, berry jam palate; needs 1 years; medium-plus finish 90+ points (90 points)
  • 2011 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Rockpile – USA, California, Sonoma County, Rockpile (2/2/2013)
    Very dark red violet color; tart black currant, tart plum nose; tasty, tight, tart black currant, tart plum, smoke, oak palate; needs 2 years; medium-plus finish (90 points)
  • 2011 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Home Ranch – USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark red violet color; intriguing, tart berry, tart black currant, tar nose; tasty, tart berry, tart black currant, tar palate; medium-plus finish (91 points)
  • 2011 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Old Vine – USA, California, Sonoma County (2/2/2013)
    Dark purple red violet color; lifted, tart berry, ripe black currant, black fruit nose; tart berry, ripe black currant, black fruit palate; needs 2-plus years; medium-plus finish 91+ points (91 points)
  • 2010 Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel Pagani Pagani Ranch – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (2/2/2013)
    Very dark purple red violet color; appealing, tart berry, mulberry, dried berry nose; very tasty, tight, elegant, tart berry mulberry, tart black fruit palate; needs 4-5 years; medium-plus finish (92 points)

St. Francis

  • 2010 St. Francis Zinfandel Old Vine – USA, California, Sonoma County (2/2/2013)
    Dark ruby color; redolent, ripe berry, boysenberry nose; ripe berry, berry jam, berry syrup palate; medium-plus finish (88 points)
  • 2010 St. Francis Zinfandel Montecillo Vineyard Kaarin’s Terrace – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (2/2/2013)
    Very dark ruby color; ripe berry, ripe black fruit, blackberry jam nose; tart blackberry, ripe black fruit, iodine palate; medium-plus finish (89 points)
  • 2010 St. Francis Zinfandel amann – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley (2/2/2013)
    Very dark ruby color; ripe berry, berry syrup, blackberry syrup nose; rich, ripe berry, berry syrup, blackberry syrup palate; needs 1 year; medium-plus finish (91 points)

Storybook Mountain

  • 2009 Storybook Mountain Vineyards Antaeus – USA, California, Napa Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark purple red violet color; appealing, black currant, lilac, black fruit nose; tasty, black currant, lilac, black fruit palate; medium-plus finish (blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot) (90 points)
  • 2010 Storybook Mountain Vineyards Zinfandel Mayacamas Range – USA, California, Napa Valley (2/2/2013)
    Very dark ruby color; appealing, tart berry, black currant, tart black fruit nose; tight, dense, tart berry, black currant, tart black fruit palate; needs 2-plus years; medium-plus finish 91+ points (91 points)
  • 2009 Storybook Mountain Vineyards Zinfandel Estate Reserve – USA, California, Napa Valley (2/2/2013)
    Very dark cherry red color; appealing, ripe currant, tart cherry nose; tasty, tart currant, light herbs, tart berry palate; medium-plus finish (92 points)

Terra d’Oro

  • 2010 Terra d’Oro Zinfandel Deaver Vineyard Old Vine – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County (2/2/2013)
    Very dark cherry red color; appealing, black currant, tart blackberry nose; rich, layered, black currant, tart blackberry, lilac palate; medium-plus finish 92+ points (from 125 yr old vines) (92 points)

Three

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  • 2010 Three Wine Company Zinfandel Evangelho Vineyard – USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Contra Costa County (2/2/2013)
    Dark ruby color; tart black currant, tart berry nose; tasty, black currant, tart blackberry, dried berry palate; medium-plus finish (93 points)
  • 2010 Three Wine Company Zinfandel Old Vines – USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Contra Costa County (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark ruby color; appealing, tart berry, black currant nose; rich, ripe black fruit, black currant palate with character; medium-plus finish 92+ points (15.4% alcohol) (92 points)

Tin Barn

  • 2010 Tin Barn Vineyards Zinfandel Gilsson Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark ruby color; tart black currant, charcoal nose; rich, ripe black currant, ripe black fruit palate; medium-plus finish 88+ points (88 points)
  • 2011 Tin Barn Vineyards Zinfandel Gilsson Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (2/2/2013)
    Medium dark ruby color; tart black currant, oak nose; tart black currant, oak, tar, licorice palate; needs 2 years; medium-plus finish 88+ points (88 points)
  • 2011 Tin Barn Vineyards Zinfandel Los Chamizal – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark ruby color; intense, black currant, oak nose; intense, black currant, oak, tar, licorice palate; needs 2 years; medium-plus finish (88 points)

Tres Sabores

  • 2010 Tres Sabores Zinfandel Rutherford Estate – USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford (2/2/2013)
    Bricking medium dark ruby color; tart black fruit, black fig, dried fig nose; tart black fruit, black fig palate; medium finish 88+ points (88 points)
  • 2009 Tres Sabores ¿Porqué no? – USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford (2/2/2013)
    Dark red violet color; tart black fruit, tar, licorice nose; tart black fruit, tar, licorice palate; medium finish 87+ points (blend of Zin, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot) (87 points)

Troon

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  • 2010 Troon Vineyard Zinfandel Reserve Estate Grown – USA, Oregon, Southern Oregon, Applegate Valley (2/2/2013)
    Medium red violet color; savory, tart black fruit, dried fig nose; savory, tart black fruit, dried fig palate with good acidity; medium-plus finish 90+ points (90 points)
  • 2011 Troon Vineyard Zinfandel Foundation ’72 – USA, Oregon, Southern Oregon, Applegate Valley (2/2/2013)
    Medium cherry red color with pale meniscus; tart black currant, tar nose; light-medium bodied, tart black and red currant palate with medium acidity; medium finish 88+ points (88 points)

Turley

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  • 2011 Turley Zinfandel Juvenile – USA, California (2/2/2013)
    Very dark red violet color; appealing, herbal, tart berry nose; tasty, tight, tart berry, black currant, dried herbs palate; medium-plus finish (good value at $20) (91 points)
  • 2011 Turley Zinfandel Hayne Vineyard – USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena (2/2/2013)
    Barrel sample – dark purple red violet color; appealing, baked berry, garrigue, anise, chocolate nose; tasty, tight, roasted black fruit, tart berry, garrigue palate; need 3 years; medium-plus finish 93-95 points (93 points)

Vino Noceto

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Vino Noceto is a project started by owners Jim and Suzy Gullett focusing primarily on Italian varieties, especially Sangiovese inspired by Chianti Classico. The winemaker is Rusty Folena. Their Zin bottling is from the ancient 19-acre Grandpère Vineyard, documented as the longest producing Zin vineyard in the country, planted in 1868 with the oldest known clone of Zin in the United States. These are remakably complex and balanced wines that seem like a comparative bargain at $29.

  • 2009 Vino Noceto Zinfandel OGP Grandpère Vineyard – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County (2/2/2013)
    Medium red violet color; appealing, dried berry, tar, light licorice nose; tight, tasty, dried berry, charcoal, mineral, black fig palate with good balance; needs 2-plus years; medium-plus finish (94 points)
  • 2008 Vino Noceto Zinfandel OGP Grandpère Vineyard – USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County (2/2/2013)
    Medium red violet color; appealing, dried berry, black currant, light licorice nose; tasty, dried berry, black currant, tart berry, light licorice, tart berry liqueur palate; medium-plus finish (from vines dating back to the 1860s) (93 points)

Witching Stick

  • 2010 Witching Stick Zinfandel Rosato Fashauer Vineyard – USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino Ridge (2/2/2013)
    Dark ruby color; tart black currant nose; unusual tart black currant, juniper berry palate with medium-plus acidity; medium-plus finish (89 points)

Woodenhead

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  • 2009 Woodenhead Zinfandel Guido Venturi Vineyard – USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County (2/2/2013)
    Dark purple red violet color; oak, tart berry nose; rich, tart berry, black currant, wild berry palate with integrating oak; medium-plus finish (91 points)
  • 2007 Woodenhead Zinfandel Martinelli Road Old Vines – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (2/2/2013)
    Cloudy dark purple red violet color; ripe berry, berry compote, black cherry nose; tasty, black cherry, berry compote, berry syrup palate; medium-plus finish (91 points)
  • 2010 Woodenhead Zinfandel Leras Ranches Bertoli – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark purple red violet color; tart black currant, blackberry, oak nose; tight, tart black currant, blackberry, oak, charcoal palate; needs 2-plus years; medium-plus finish 90+ points (90 points)

ZAP The Heritage Vineyard

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  • 2005 ZAP Zinfandel The Heritage Vineyard – USA, California, Napa Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark ruby color; rich berry, ripe black currant nose; rich berry, ripe black currant palate; medium-plus finish (14.8% alcohol; 3.75 pH; made by Bill Knuttel of Dry Creek Vineyard) (91 points)
  • 2008 ZAP Zinfandel The Heritage Vineyard – USA, California, Napa Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark purple red violet color; maturing, tart black fruit, brett nose; ripe black fruit, brett, ripe berry palate; medium-plus finish 88+ points (16.6% alcohol; 3.78 pH; made by Tom Mackey of St. Francis) (88 points)
  • 2009 ZAP Zinfandel The Heritage Vineyard – USA, California, Napa Valley (2/2/2013)
    Dark purple red violet color; redolent, tart berry, dried berry, tart black plum nose; rich, tart berry, dried berry, tart black plum palate; medium-plus finish 91+ points (15.55% alcohol; 3.53 pH; made by Ted Seghesio) (91 points)

The post Zinfandel: The Highs and Lows of ZAP 2013 appeared first on RJonWine.com.


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