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About Zinfandel Red Wine

About Zinfandel Red Wine
Zinfandel first came to American shores by way of the Schonbrunn collection which contained all the wine varietals grown in the Austrian empire. The earliest mention of Zinfandel, by name, in America was a vine nursery in Long Island in the 1820s. It made its way to California in the gold rush and thrived because of its hearty constitution and vigorous yields. Many a prospector had a little vineyard of Zinfandel and washed away their sorrows in their purple cups.

Top Picks for Zinfandel

Crux Winery 2016 Zinfandel
96 points
$38
Crux Winery
2016 Zinfandel
Black violet color. Spicy aromas of spiced plums, lingonberry, luxury tobacco, cedar, and spice cabinet with a velvety, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a peppery, involved, long rum-raisin cake, black pepper, and leather finish with chewy tannins and heavy oak flavor. A heavily oak-driven, spicy, concentrated zinfandel for divine pairings.
96 points $38
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Date Tasted:
Oak Farm Vineyards 2019 Hohenrieder Single Vineyard Zinfandel
94 points
$35
Oak Farm Vineyards
2019 Hohenrieder Single Vineyard Zinfandel
Deep purple color. Herbal aromas and flavors of crushed blackberries, eucalyptus, black tea with honey, sweet anise, and sage with a round, vibrant, fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, intriguing, medium-long finish evoking suggestions of hints of ripe peach with firm tannins and moderate oak flavor. An herbaceous, fruity and generous Zinfandel that keeps on giving.
94 points $35
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Date Tasted:
Cline 2017 Live Oak Vineyard Zinfandel
94 points
$29.99
Cline
2017 Live Oak Vineyard Zinfandel
Deep purple color. Aromas of fresh blackberry, peony, and wild mint with a slightly chewy, vibrant, fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, intriguing, medium-length ripe strawberry, milk chocolate, and lemon curd finish with medium, chewy tannins and moderate oak flavor. A delicious and balanced zinfandel; juicy, jammy, joyful.
94 points $29.99
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Date Tasted:
Monte De Oro 2015 Estate Grown Zinfandel
94 points
$42
Monte De Oro
2015 Estate Grown Zinfandel
Dusty garnet color. Aromas of dark chocolate, dried figs and dates, cappuccino, and clove with a satiny, lively, fruity medium-full body and a peppery, intricate, long blueberry compote, toffee, charred oak, vanilla custard, and peppercorns finish with chewy tannins and heavy oak flavor. A delicious port-style zinfandel; oak-driven with highlights of concentrated dried fruits and energetic acidity that keeps one coming back for more.
94 points $42
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Date Tasted:
Sobon Estate 2018 ReZerve® Zin Zinfandel
93 points
$24
Sobon Estate
2018 ReZerve® Zin Zinfandel
Deep purple color. Aromas and flavors of blackberry confection, ripe fragrant plum, spiced pomegranate, and cigar wrapper with a velvety, vibrant, fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, intricate, long finish with well-integrated, silky tannins and moderate oak flavor. A fabulously silky Zinfandel that delivers refined elegance in a flashy fruity package.
93 points $24
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Date Tasted:
Cline 2016 Big Break Vineyard Zinfandel
93 points
$29.99
Cline
2016 Big Break Vineyard Zinfandel
Black violet color. Aromas and flavors of menthol, blackberry sorbet, cherry-chocolate bar, and cinnamon rolls with a slightly chewy, vibrant, dryish medium-full body and a smooth, intricate, long finish revealing overtones of vanilla-mint, rosemary, thyme, and sage with moderate oak flavor. An ageable Zinfandel with great structure and wildly attractive herbal notes.
93 points $29.99
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Date Tasted:
Bella Luna Estate Winery 2016 Fighter Pilot Red Bailey Vineyard Zinfandel
93 points
$42
Bella Luna Estate Winery
2016 Fighter Pilot Red Bailey Vineyard Zinfandel
Garnet black color. Aromas of wild strawberry, mulberry, and sarsaparilla with a satiny, vibrant, fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, amusing, medium-long pickled cassis, chocolate cookie, bramble, and black licorice finish with light oak flavor. A spicy, wild and pure expression of Zinfandel; a charming and expressive wine.
93 points $42
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Date Tasted:
Tonti Family Wines 2017 Old Vine Zinfandel
93 points
$49
Tonti Family Wines
2017 Old Vine Zinfandel
Deep purple color. Fruity aromas and flavors of grilled plum, raspberry coulis, tobacco, black pepper, coriander seed, and allspice with a silky, lively, off-dry light-to-medium body and a smooth, delightful, medium-long finish with notes of leather with moderate oak flavor. A juicy, fruit-forward Zin with attention-grabbing layers of smoke and spice.
93 points $49
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Date Tasted:
Maroon Wines 2015 Reserve Zinfandel
92 points
$60
Maroon Wines
2015 Reserve Zinfandel
Dusty garnet color. Complex aromas and flavors of cinnamon, dried rose, espresso bean, dark chocolate, and hints of spearmint with a slightly chewy, vibrant, fruity medium body and a peppery, interesting, medium-long finish that presents suggestions of red peppercorns, hints of coconut cream, almonds, candied fennel seed, and dried herbs with well-integrated tannins and moderate oak flavor. A distinctive Zinfandel with just-baked fruit character.
92 points $60
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Date Tasted:
Sobon Estate 2018 Lubenko Vineyard Zinfandel
92 points
$22
Sobon Estate
2018 Lubenko Vineyard Zinfandel
Dark dusty ruby color. Aromas of raspberry compote, pomegranate, cinnamon spiced black tea, and portobella mushrooms with a lightly tannic, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, stimulating, medium-long licorice and spice drops finish with medium tannins and moderate oak flavor. A spicy, zesty Zinfandel that with be a delightful pairing with cheese.
92 points $22
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Date Tasted: