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.
Fernwood 2002 Redwood Retreat Vineyards Zinfandel (Santa Cruz Mountains)
- $27
Porty and insipid with sweetness, and soft to the point of collapse.
— S.H.
(2/1/2005)
Blackstone 2002 Zinfandel
- $12
Hard to like for its thin, vegetal flavors and bitterness. Probably a gooey pizza will soften it up.
— S.H.
(8/1/2005)
Orfila 2002 Gold Rush - Old Vines Zinfandel
- $24
You’d expect a smaller appellation than “California” given the words on the label. Too sweet.
— S.H.
(5/1/2005)
Echelon 2003 Driving Range Vineyard Zinfandel (Contra Costa County)
- $13
Hits all the wrong buttons for me, with its porty, cooked berry aroma and dry, harsh tannins.
— S.H.
(8/1/2005)
Saucelito Canyon 2003 Estate Zinfandel (Arroyo Grande Valley)
- Online Exclusive
- $18
This is the sort of Zin that turns me off. It’s not only hot in alcohol, it’s definitely sweet in residual sugar, with the flavors of rum-soaked raisins.
— S.H.
(10/1/2005)
Shenandoah 2004 White Zinfandel (Amador County)
- Online Exclusive
- $6
Simple and a little sweet, but real clean, with zesty raspberry flavors that trail off to a spicy finish.
— S.H.
(10/1/2005)
EOS 2002 Brothers Ranch Vineyard 5 Block 5A Late Harvest Zinfandel (Paso Robles)
- $20
Alas, the long name can’t compensate for the deficiencies here. While it’s very sweet, it’s also sharp and hot, with a cloying, syrupy mouthfeel.
— S.H.
(11/1/2005)
EOS 2002 Zinfandel (Paso Robles)
- $15
An awkward wine that keeps its alcohol moderate at the cost of residual sugar. Some will like this old-fashioned, jug-wine style.
— S.H.
(11/1/2005)
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