Zinfandel
Zinfandel is a popular grape in California, although it appears to have originated in Croatia, where it is known as Crljenak Kastelanski, and southern Italy, where it is known as Primitivo. Zinfandel produces powerful, spicy reds with forward raspberry and pepper notes. It can also be used to produce a semisweet rosé (blush) wine called White Zinfandel. You can use Wine Enthusiast’s online Buying Guide to find the top-rated Zinfandel among our extensive Zinfandel wine reviews and easy-to-use database. Our Zinfandel reviews will give you a general idea what to expect from wines made from Zinfandel, and will help you find one that best suits your needs.
Bella 2005 Lily Hill Estate Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley)
- Editors' Choice
- $36
If you want to understand the essence of Dry Creek Valley Zinfandal, taste this wine. It’s absolutely classic. Shows the region’s balance, power and elegance. From the wild blackberry, raspberry, fig and tangerine zest fruit, to the clove, white pepper and anise spices, to the fabulously rich tannic structure, this is great, world-class Zinfandel. The high alcohol…
— S.H.
(3/1/2008)
Dry Creek Vineyard 2005 Beeson Ranch Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley)
- Online Exclusive
- $34
With a splash of Petite Sirah, this Zin is dark and exceedingly powerful in blackberry and cherry fruit, complexed with notes of dark chocolate, licorice, Chinese five-spice and white pepper. A dramatic wine that calls for dramatic food.
— S.H.
(8/1/2008)
Phipps 2006 Treborce Vineyard Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley)
- Editors' Choice
- Online Exclusive
- $38
A beautiful Zinfandel that shows the elegant balance of a fine Cabernet Sauvignon, but with Zin’s exuberant personality. Powerful in wild blackberry, black raspberry and mulberry fruit, the wine also exhibits cola, mocha and chamomile notes liberally accented with crushed black pepper, nutmeg and cinnamon spice. Finishes complex, long and absolutely dry. Really…
— S.H.
(2/1/2009)
Gary Farrell 2007 Bradford Mountain Vineyards Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley)
- Cellar Selection
- $40
A complex, sophisticated Zinfandel, although it’s very young, and all the parts haven’t come together. Shows luscious waves of ripe forest blackberries, raspberries, red plums and nectarines, with notes of dry chocolate, sweet tobacco, balsam and cedar, finished with massive peppery spices. Notable for the purity and elegance of its tannin-acid structure, this…
— S.H.
(12/31/2009)
Rubicon Estate 2007 Edizione Pennino Zinfandel (Rutherford)
- Editors' Choice
- $45
A wonderful Zinfandel, made from grapes grown on the estate vineyard. Shows all the briary, brambly, wild berry and spice character you could ask for, in a wine that’s balanced and, in its own way, elegant despite high alcohol. Just floods the mouth with blackberry jam, blueberry tart, anise and freshly crushed black pepper flavors. Best now in its flamboyant youth.
— S.H.
(5/1/2010)
Seghesio 2007 San Lorenzo Zinfandel (Alexander Valley)
- $60
Zinfandel isn’t ordinarily a wine you want to age, but this dry, tannic bottle will improve in the cellar. Made from Seghesio’s estate vineyard in the southern Alexander Valley, it’s amazingly rich in mulberry, currant, spice and mineral flavors, with beautiful tannins and perfect acidity. It’s gorgeous now, with a few hours of decanting, but will show increasing…
— S.H.
(12/31/2010)
Sineann 2009 Old Vine Zinfandel (Columbia Valley (OR))
- Editors' Choice
- $39
Old-vine Oregon Zinfandel is not common; in fact, this is all of them. From the Pines Vineyard, planted around a century ago, revived in the 1980s, these wines have a power and unique presence that sets them apart from Zin from anywhere else. Ultraripe fruit flavors of strawberry and raspberry jam, alcohol above 15%, amazing density and beautifully managed tannins…
— P.G.
(8/1/2011)
Newsome-Harlow 2009 Herbert Vineyard, Old Vine Zinfandel (El Dorado County)
- $36
A new vineyard source for Newsome-Harlow and arguably its best single-vineyard designated Zin out of a lineup of superbly delicious Zins. With a heady raspberry and blackberry nose, this Zin is classically lush and intense yet silky smooth in the mouth, tinged by hints of black pepper and licorice. Altogether so, so good.
— V.B.
(12/1/2011)
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2010 Bogle Old Vine
What a delicious Zin this is. Sourced from the warm climates of Lodi and…
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