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.
Ledson 2007 Reserve Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley)
- Online Exclusive
- $56
A very great success, although it is expensive. Shows perfect Dry Creek Zinny character, with briary, brambly wild forest berry fruit, cola and spices, and a savory note of grilled meat. The finish is dry and balanced. More than half the oak barrels were new French, giving the wine a rich coat of toast. Drink this beauty now and over the next eight years.
— S.H.
(2/1/2012)
Schulz 2005 Lampyridae Vineyard Zinfandel (Mount Veeder)
- Editors' Choice
- $30
Serious Zinfanatics have another wine to consider with this big, bold and impressive release from way up on Mount Veeder. It’s dense in blackberry, cherry, cola, tangerine, fig and dusty Asian spice flavors that go on and on, lasting into a long finish that’s thoroughly dry. Just delicious now, and with the tannic integrity to last for years.
— S.H.
(5/1/2008)
Bluenose 2005 Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley)
- Editors' Choice
- $30
Bluenose’s 2005 Zin is as pretty and polished as Zinfandel gets. The structure is just beautiful, with ripe, firm tannins and fine acidity, while the oak is perfectly integrated. The flavors? Waves of black and red currants, black licorice, black pepper and other spices, and a subtle, rich streak of chocolate. Just irresistible.
— S.H.
(4/1/2009)
Beauregard 2004 Beauregard Ranch Vineyard Zinfandel (Ben Lomond Mountain)
- Editors' Choice
- $45
The product of a warm vintage in a cool-climate region, this is a very good Zin. It achieves interest and complexity. Structured like a good Cab Sauvignon, it has impressively deep blue and black wild berry and stone fruit, coffee, dried herb and spice flavors, wrapped into firm, dusty tannins.
— S.H.
(7/1/2007)
Joseph Swan Vineyards 2003 Lone Redwood Ranch Zinfandel (Russian River Valley)
- $25
Dry and distinctly wild in brambly, briary berry fruit and spice. At first this Zin feels rustic, with a sandpapery grip and fresh, juicy acids. But the brilliant structure of acidity, bracing tannins and caressing mouthfeel reveal how delicate this really is. This is great Zinfandel.
— S.H.
(9/1/2007)
Williams Selyem 2007 Papera Vineyard Zinfandel (Russian River Valley)
- Editors' Choice
- $48
The 2007 vintage was a fabulous one for Williams Selyem, and the Zinfandels benefited from the cool, balanced growing season. The Papera is a big, rich, jammy wine, but also a drily elegant one. It offers waves of raspberry, Fig Newton, red currant and Canadian bacon flavors, with superfine tannins. An exuberant Zinfandel now and for the next six years.
— S.H.
(2/1/2010)
Ravenswood 2007 Belloni Single Vineyard Zinfandel (Russian River Valley)
- Editors' Choice
- $35
A terrific Zinfandel, with a polished, pretty structure and ripe, vibrantly classic Zinny flavors. Floods the mouth with berries, cola, licorice, mocha and dusty spices, wrapped into beautifully fine, ripe tannins. Impossible to resist sip after sip. Defines Russian River Zinfandel at its best.
— S.H.
(3/1/2010)
Ravenswood 2007 Dickerson Single Vineyard Zinfandel (Napa Valley)
- Editors' Choice
- $35
Hard to exaggerate the beauty of this single-vineyard Zin. It has the balanced elegance of a fine Cabernet, yet with Zinfandel’s exuberant, briary flavors of wild forest berries, spices, Mexican molé sauce, anise, cola and sandalwood. Delicious and compelling, and a perfect pairing with your best grilled meats.
— S.H.
(3/1/2010)
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