PASO ROBLES | CALIFORNIA | $28
Woody spices greet the nose followed by subdued flavors of mature cherry and red plum with complex dry-earth notes of cigar box, tar, sage, clove and allspice. Medium bodied — quite restrained for a Central Coast Zinfandel — with savory qualities forward in the mix. There’s unexpected lightness and fruit balance for a big-alcohol (15.5% ABV) bottling. Nicely textured with a slight tooth. Typically rotund, he’s recently slimmed down, but still he bears the demeanor of his once formidable self. A very good wine. (Reviewed 11/10/12)
Category Archives: Zinfandel
Foxen Zinfandel Lockshaw Vineyards 2007
Filed under $21 to $50, California, Zinfandel
Porter Creek Zinfandel ‘Old Vine’ 2008
SONOMA COUNTY | CALIFORNIA | $34
Forward black cherry with dark berries and pomegranate accented with cedar, bay and allspice, and a wisp of wet clay. Slightly jammy, a touch gamey, but overall well-balanced, with prominent organic notes providing a sturdy cantilever and a lively acidic perk on the finish bringing buoyancy. While many in his class bulk up and prefer to pack a wallop, this bloke opts for a more cerebral path and delivers greater effect; can you hear it, “Ah, Grasshopper…”? A very good wine. (Reviewed 11/10/12)
Filed under $21 to $50, California, Zinfandel
Eberle Zinfandel Wine-Bush and Steinbeck Vineyards 2008
PASO ROBLES | CALIFORNIA | $26
Concentrated black cherry accented by dark berries, currant and mocha with hints of baking spice and cola. Jammy with sweet chalky notes and unctuously laden on the palate, barely masking its massive 15.5% alcohol. A wine of generous proportions — as a man, he would own pendant cones for arms and legs (thank you, Mr. Hammett). A very good wine. (Reviewed 9/29/12)
Filed under $21 to $50, California, Zinfandel
Ancient Peaks Zinfandel 2009
PASO ROBLES | CALIFORNIA | $17
Full bodied with forward blackberry fruit highlighted by a distinct sweet calcium minerality. Notes of licorice, allspice, cedar and smoke add interest. Easy drinking, focused with good balance. Slightly laden mouth feel, loaded with horizontal flavors. He’s a regular guy, and though often underestimated, he excels. A good wine. (Reviewed 5/27/12)
Filed under $20 and less, California, Zinfandel
PromisQous Red NV
CALIFORNIA | $12
Concentrated cherry and raspberry fruit with lingering cassis, prominent chalk and notes of redwood, sage and pepper. Heavily fruit forward and sweet, oddly suggestive of grape lollipop flavors. Full bodied, focused, easy drinking, uncomplicated. But promiscuous? By any spelling, call it obvious: clever, yes — perhaps too clever — yet at the same time, simple itself. Harmless, however, at 12.5% alcohol. Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon. A good wine. (Reviewed 6/16/12)
Filed under $20 and less, California, Zinfandel
Buehler Zinfandel 2010
NAPA VALLEY | CALIFORNIA | $19
Medium bodied blackberry fruit with notes of dark cherry, cola, nutmeg and coriander. Bitter mid-notes and a tart finish. Utterly drinkable, and many will embrace this wine, especially at this price point; however there are better choices. Pervious vintages have shown better, but every once in a while, we’re all capable of a no-show. Buehler? Buehler? A good wine. (Reviewed 4/18/12)
Filed under $20 and less, California, Zinfandel
Ancient Peaks Zinfandel 2007
PASO ROBLES | CALIFORNIA | $15
Classic Paso Robles Zin delivering chalky calcium minerality and forward dark berry fruit with hints of currant, wood spices, cedar and pepper. Well-balanced with muscle. Lots going on with this wine, but it’s refreshingly accessible. A very good wine and an excellent value. (Reviewed 10/30/10)
Filed under $20 and less, California, Zinfandel
Turley Zinfandel Duarte Vineyard 2005
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY | CALIFORNIA | $32
Massive, balanced and mature; a gorgeous wine. Deep yet soft, ripe red cherry, plum and currant fruit with dried wood and compost organic notes and wisps of exotic spice. Sandy soils challenge the vines to produce intense fruit that delivers a big but accessible wine. A individual of intimidating stature, yet gentile and agile with kindness in his eyes. A very good wine. (Reviewed 10/30/10)
Filed under $21 to $50, California, Zinfandel
Quivira Zinfandel Anderson Ranch 2006
DRY CREEK VALLEY | CALIFORNIA | $34
Medium-bodied wild blackberry fruit showing well-integrated cedar, pepper, nutmeg and epazote with elegant balance and a supple mouth feel. Rich yet restrained — no doubt there is oomph, but a far cry from your high-octane Zin. It’s an agile road coupe, not a muscle car. Certified biodynamic. A very good wine. (Reviewed 3/24/12)
Filed under $21 to $50, California, Zinfandel
Minassian-Young Zinfandel 1000 Vines 2006
PASO ROBLES | CALIFORNIA | $24
Well integrated fruit and soil harmonizing blackberry, plum and currant with dusty cocoa and earth. Notes of cardamom, bay, dried mushroom and coffee. Moderately big bodied and well balanced (masking a very high 15.5% alcohol). From the top 1,000 vines of a steep hillside vineyard where the soil holds the least rain. An excellent wine and a great value. (Reviewed 3/12/11)
Filed under $21 to $50, California, Zinfandel
