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Red Zinfandel Wines
Klinker Brick 2015 Old Vines Zinfandel, Lodi
$ 19.00
One of the best value boutique Zinfandels in California! An intense, fruit-filled wine you expect to cost at least twice as much. If you have yet to try a Zin from Lodi, this is the one!
The Klinker Brick Old Vines Zinfandel is produced from an amalgam of 14 different vineyard blocks, ranging in age from 35 to 110 years old. This vintage saw lower yields than 2005, producing a wine that is both complex and bold. Showing typical Klinker Brick cherry/berry/plum fruit components with aromatic spices on the nose, this wine is incredibly well balanced with a silky smooth texture and a long lingering finish. One of their best!
Buehler 2015 Zinfandel, Napa Valley
$ 22.99
A perennial best buy in Napa Valley Zinfandel!
The Beuhler 2015 Napa Valley Zinfandel is a mix of their estate vineyards and grapes from other select Napa Valley high quality, low-yielding vineyards. Dry-farmed for over 23 years, the 4.5 acre estate block consists of mature thirty-eight year old vines which typically give around 2.5 tons/acre of beautiful hillside Zinfandel fruit. Interspersed among the head-trained vines are a handful of Petite Sirah vines representing perhaps 5% of the total vines in this block. A traditional field companion to Zinfandel in pre-prohibition California vineyards, Petite Sirah contributes pepper, color, and tannin structure to the wine.
Bedrock 2018 Old Vines Zinfandel, Sonoma
$ 23.99
An amazing value
Bedrock Winery is producing some of the most exciting new releases we've tasted in California and the Bedrock 2018 Old Vines Zinfandel is a fantastic wine and unbeatable value.
93 Points Wine Spectator: "Old-school meets new in this Zinfandel, with just enough polish and plumpness to match the briary rusticity. Offers expressive black cherry, smoky anise and white pepper flavors. Drink now through 2024"
A blend of legendary Sonoma County vineyards dating back to the 1880s, Morgon-Peterson's Old Vines zin makes a strong case for the best overall Zinfandel available today. It delivers the exuberance we expect of this generous grape, but transcends any superficial tendencies with a layer or three of earth, tannin, baking spices, and tip-top French oak treatment. A Zin that benefits from a few years in the cellar to develop gravitas and wow factor, but truly drinks great right out of the gates. Bedrock Zinfandels are the best in the business (the single vineyard bottlings are now uber-allocated). This is your chance to drink Bedrock Zin all the time. Delicious but limited - hurry.
Girard 2016 Old Vines Zinfandel, Napa Valley
$ 24.00
A fantastic value in Old Vines Napa Valley Zin! The Girard Old Vines Zinfandel Napa Valley is a blend of 76% Zinfandel and 24% Petite Sirah. Sourcecd from mountain vineyards that provide a rich flavor extraction, fruit-forward palate and wonderful layers of complexity from multiple soil types. One of our favorite Napa Zins under $30.
90 Points Wine Spectator: "Plump and briary, with appealing black cherry and spice aromas and ripe, supple raspberry and licorice flavors. Drink now through 2024."
Beran 2012 Zinfandel, California
$ 24.99
Inaugural vintage from Joe Wagner, youngest son of Chuck Wagner, who founded Caymus Vineyards with his parents, Charlie and Lorna Wagner.
Seghesio 2016 Sonoma County Zinfandel
$ 25.99
93 Points WS
Always one of the favorite California Zins we carry.
93 Points Wine Spectator: "Plump and luscious, this is jam-packed with fruit. Lively blackberry, pepper and other spice box aromas lead to ripe and rich flavors of black raspberry, caramel and licorice. There are more complex Zinfandels, but few that are more enjoyable to drink. Drink now through 2022."
Wine Enthusiast: "You could use this as a teaching tool for classic Sonoma County Zinfandel. It's full-bodied, dry and spicy, with briary flavors of wild berries, mocha, tobacco, leather and exotic spices. More importantly, it's absolutely delicious. The grapes come from Seghesio's best vineyards in the Alexander and Dry Creek valleys. An astonishing value."
Ottimino 2014 Ottimino Vineyard Zinfandel, Russian River Valley
$ 26.99
One of our favorite small-production California Zins. Highly recommended.
The Ottimino Vineyard Zinfandel, Russian River Valley has intense aromas of blueberry, orange rind, and ripe raspberry aromas are laced with hints of white pepper bolstered by well-integrated notes of French oak. The palate entry has ample fruit, with bramble and ripe raspberry at its core. Balanced tannins support a great depth and concentration of flavor, making this Zinfandel an excellent wine to pair with your favorite dishes.
Prisoner Wine Co. 2017 "Saldo" Zinfandel, California
$ 27.99
Fantastic new Zinfandel from the The Prisoner Wine Co! Extremely limited new release - get your allocation before it sells out.
Saldo is a delicious blend of Zinfandel & Petite Sirah. Through the success of the Prisoner label, the winery has gained access to some of the best Zinfandel vineyards in Nothern California and made a high quality Zinfandel that doesn't fit the constraints of a single appelation. The result? SALDO.
93 Points Brix26: "The Saldo has a dark ruby color and intense aromas of dark cherry, cocoa powder and baking spice. The entry is rich and full, and leads into a broad mid palate with concentration and density, backed by lively acidity. The texture is soft and the tannins are polished. The finish is long with persistent notes of chocolate, berry and vanilla bean."
Ridge 2015 Three Valleys Zinfandel, Sonoma
$ 29.99
Another fantastic Three Valleys from Ridge and one of the best Zinfandel values anywhere!
"Three Valleys" is the proprietary name for the only Ridge wine blended from multiple vineyard sites. They select softer, more accessible lots from their single vineyards and, taking the role of winemaker literally, create a character they find most appealing. Younger vines from Lytton Estate provided most of the fruit; older vines on five small Alexander Valley vineyards and one Russian River vineyard make up the rest. This sixth vintage of Three Valleys contains the highest percentage of zinfandel to date. Sensuous structure and rich fruit give the wine immediate appeal; it will bemost enjoyable over the next five years.
91 Points Wine Enthusiast "Editor's Choice: "This bottling defines such a style. It's dry and lithe in the mouth yet gently tannic, with suggestions of berry jam, bacon, grilled mushrooms and hints of balsamic and soy sauce."
80% ZINFANDEL, 10% PETITE SIRAH, 5% CARIGNANE, 5% GRENACHE
Frog's Leap 2017 Zinfandel, Napa Valley
$ 29.99
One of Napa Valley's Classic Zinfandels!
Frog's Leap 2017 Zinfandel Napa Valley draws its power from sophistication instead of raw alcohol content. Made in the classic field blend style including significant portions of Petite sirah and Carignane.
Antonio Galloni: "Frog's Leap is one of Napa Valley's older-guard estates. The wines are classically built, delicious and incredibly fairly priced by today's standards. If that isn't a compelling value proposition, I don't know what is."
Turley 2017 Old Vines Zinfandel, California
$ 29.99
Very limited Turley Zinfandel.
92 Points Robert Parker: "Medium to deep ruby-purple in color, the 2017 Zinfandel Old Vines features exotic spice accents over a core of blueberry and boysenberry compote, crushed black cherries and berries with notes of cinnamon stick and potpourri. Medium to full-bodied, it has loads of spicy black and blue fruits in the mouth with firm, ripe tannins to frame and juicy acidity, finishing long and very spicy.
91 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2017 Zinfandel Old Vines is rich, ample and fleshy. The heat of the year gave the Old Vines a little extra kick. Dried cherry, licorice and spice add an exotic flair to this super-expressive wine loaded with class and pedigree. "
...One of California's great wineries, Larry Turley's Turley Wine Cellars continues to play a critical role in safeguarding the Golden State's viticultural heritage, saving old, head-trained and sometimes own-rooted vineyards from destruction. With fully 29 different bottlings, Zinfandel (often complemented by small amounts of other co-planted varieties, such as Carignan and Grenache) is the standard-bearer here, though Turley also does a fantastic job with other varieties, most obviously Petite Syrah. Given how distinctive each of the single-vineyard bottlings is, it's tempting to suggest (though some will no doubt think it heretical) that Zinfandel might be the variety best adapted to expressing "terroir" in California."
Turley 2017 Steacy Ranch Vineyard Zinfandel, Lodi
$ 32.00
Very limited Turley Zinfandel.
93 Points Robert Parker: "The 2017 Zinfandel Steacy Ranch comes from a vineyard planted in 1907 to Zinfandel as well as Grenache and Carignane. It has a medium to deep ruby-purple color and very spicy, singular nose of black licorice, dried black cherries and dried blackcurrants with notes of stone and blue fruits at the core plus cedar and soil touches. Medium to full-bodied, it offers lots of spices in the mouth with wonderfully ripe, lush black fruits accented by peachy notes, framed by mouthwatering acidity and soft, grainy tannins, finishing long.."
...One of California's great wineries, Larry Turley's Turley Wine Cellars continues to play a critical role in safeguarding the Golden State's viticultural heritage, saving old, head-trained and sometimes own-rooted vineyards from destruction. With fully 29 different bottlings, Zinfandel (often complemented by small amounts of other co-planted varieties, such as Carignan and Grenache) is the standard-bearer here, though Turley also does a fantastic job with other varieties, most obviously Petite Syrah. Given how distinctive each of the single-vineyard bottlings is, it's tempting to suggest (though some will no doubt think it heretical) that Zinfandel might be the variety best adapted to expressing "terroir" in California."
Green & Red 2014 Tip Top Vineyard Zinfandel, Napa Valley
$ 33.99
This great under the radar Red Zinfandel from Napa Valley is a beauty. Highly recommended.
Green & Red Vineyard, named for its red iron soils veined with green serpentine, is located in the steep hills on the east side of Napa Valley. The planting was started in 1972 on ground originally in vineyards in the 1890's. The vineyards are a small percentage of the 200-acre property, which ranges in elevation from 900 to 2,000 feet.The Tip Top Vineyard is located at 1700 ft in elevation and faces northeast. The soils are red and rocky. Red raspberry/currant/blackberry/laurel lead to a lively finish laced with ground black pepper.
Brix26 Inside Scoop: Green & Red Zinfandel has been on the wine list at Berkeley's famous Chez Panisse Restaurant since the inaugural vintage.
Ghost Block 2016 Pelissa Vineyard Zinfandel, Napa Valley
$ 34.99
The inaugural release of Ghost Block 2016 Zinfandel now available!
The Pelissa vineyard is located on Oakville Crossroads directly behind our family winery, creating this Estate grown & produced Zinfandel. With Napa Valley elegance, this single vineyard Zinfandel offers layer s of complex aromas and flavors. Bursting with bright, dark fruits and hints of vanilla, black pepper, and violet undertones. This wine is balanced with intricate oak essences. A smooth, luscious, and velvet finish that coats your palate will keep you sipping for more.
Hendry 2015 'Block 7 & 22' Zinfandel, Napa Valley
$ 34.99
94 points
Fantastic new Zinfandel from Hendry!
94 Points Wine Enthusiast: "This is a spicy, sublime and expansive wine, full bodied no doubt, yet brimming in freshness and complexity. It is red-fruit driven and dazzles in white and black pepper, accented by dashes of cinnamon and nutmeg. It has a long-lasting texture and richness."
The Hendry family has been farming in Napa since 1939. Their Block 7 and Block 22 were planted in 1975 and 1995 respectively. All of the Hendry wines are made with estate fruit, and blocks 7 and 22 are located on the benchlands west of the city of Napa. Block 7 was planted in 1975 and block 22 was planted in 1995.
Ridge 2017 Paso Robles Zinfandel
$ 34.99
Fantastic new Ridge Zinfandel from the Dusi Vineyard in Paso Robles.
Benito Dusi Ranch is the only vineyard on the Central Coast that Ridge sources grapes from, and they've been making wines from the Zin vines there since 1967. The wines from this site are fruit-filled but balanced, with bright raspberry fruit and toasted coconut flavors.
Rombauer 2017 Zinfandel, California
$ 34.99
New Release of Rombauer's coveted Zinfandel!
The Rombauer Vineyards 2017 Zinfandel captures the essence of California Zinfandel with this ripe, fruit driven wine. It is filled with aromas of boysenberries, raspberries and wild berries. The wine is loaded with flavors of ripe, zesty wild berry and blackberry jam that picks up spicy, peppery notes. It finishes with a fantastic burst of fruit and concentrated berry flavors. A blend of Zinfandels from Rombauer's vineyards: 59% Amador, 24% Napa, 11% Lake, 6% El Dorado.
Frank Family 2017 Zinfandel, Napa Valley
$ 36.00
Frank Family Zinfandel always sells out in a matter of months so order now to try one of our favorite Napa Valley Zins!
Frank Family Vineyard's Napa Valley Zinfandel is dense, dark scarlet to the eye; the nose is jam-packed with dazzling blackberries, plums, and black cherries touched with the essence of white pepper spice. The palate is rich and concentrated with mouth filling ripe fruit flavors interwoven with velvety tannins followed by a long, comforting finish.
Old Ghost 2015 Zinfandel, Lodi
$ 37.00
Old Ghost represents the very best lots of Old Vine Zinfandel that Klinker-Brick Winery produces. This small-production Zin sells out quickly soon after each release. Try it while its still available!
For the past three vintages, Old Ghost has come from 90 plus-year-old vineyard blocks that typically produce tiny yields that are less than one ton per acre. Very keenly defined berry-like fruit gives great direction to the rich, sweetly oaked aromas of this tantalizing Zinfandel, and, even if it is biased to the ripeness of its provenance on the palate, it has admirable volume and depth. A streak of firming tannins provides a nice bit of grip and ensures several years of growth.
Seghesio 2011 Cortina Vineyard Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley
$ 37.99
Limited Dry Creek Zinfandel release from Seghesio. Get the new vintage before the ratings come out!
previous vintage 94 Points Wine Spectator: "Dark and intense, yet well-polished, with floral blackberry and pepper aromas and concentrated black cherry, bitter chocolate and black olive flavors that finish with muscular but ripe tannins. Needs time. Best from 2015 through 2022."
Bedrock 2016 Schmiedt Rd. Zinfandel, Lodi
$ 37.99
New release!
Bedrock Winery is producing some of the most exciting new releases we've tasted in California and the Bedrock 2016 Schmiedt Road Zinfandel is a great new release.
93 Points Wine Spectator: "Rich and supple, this is an explosion of pure, decadent fruit. Floral huckleberry and Chinese five-spice powder aromas open to layered blackberry, dark chocolate and licorice flavors that linger. Drink now through 2026."
Robert Parker: "The Old Vines Zinfandel is an outstanding, full-throttle wine with a Mediterranean personality, with loads of Provençal herbs, briary black raspberry and black cherry fruits, dusty loaminess, a lush, full-bodied mouthfeel and dark ruby/purple-tinged color. Drink it over the next 3-4 years."
A blend of legendary Sonoma County vineyards dating back to the 1880s, Morgon-Peterson's old vines zin makes a strong case for the best overall Zinfandel available today. It delivers the exuberance we expect of this generous grape, but transcends any superficial tendencies with a layer or three of earth, tannin, baking spices, and tip-top French oak treatment. A Zin that benefits from a few years in the cellar to develop gravitas and wow factor, but truly drinks great right out of the gates. Bedrock Zinfandels are the best in the business (the single vineyard bottlings are now uber-allocated). This is your chance to drink Bedrock Zin all the time. Delicious but limited - hurry.
Carlisle 2017 Sonoma County Zinfandel
$ 38.00
Fantastic new Zin release from Carlisle, one of our favorite small producers!
Robert Parker: "...The personality-filled Michael Officer and his beloved Carlisle Winery & Vineyards continues to turn out a gorgeous portfolio of exuberant, lovingly made, stunningly fruity and outright beautiful wines from historic vineyards and iconic grapes that, until the last generation or so, had tended to be forgotten in the early days of California winedom, after the repeal of Prohibition."
Brown Estate 2016 Chaos Theory Napa Valley
$ 39.99
One of our favorite small production Zinfandel producers, Brown Estate makes a fantastic red blend called ChaosTheory, a delicious mix of 50% Merlot, 25% Petite Sirah, 25% Zinfandel blend that will delight all red wine fans. Limited.
The 2016 Brown Estate Chaos Theory red has dense crimson color that leads to a fragrant nose of exotic Asian apple blossom, crushed rose petals, and cloves. This wine delivers a mouthful of soft, silky texture that gives way to ripe, forward fruit balanced with layers of complexity. Cascading flavors of blackberries, black cherries, cappuccino, and tobacco lead to herbaceous earthiness with undertones of big game and fresh sage and rosemary. This is a dark, deep, brooding and seductive wine that glides over your palate toward a long, elegant finish. The perfect wine to pair with boldly seasoned grilled meats and garlicky potatoes with coarse ground mustard, or a comforting beef pot pie.
Elyse 2014 Morisoli Vineyard Zinfandel, Napa Valley
$ 39.99
Awesome new release from one of our favorite small Napa Zin producers! If you aren't familiar with the reds from Elyse try them now as they always sell out fast. Old-vine Zin from the famed Morisoli Vineyard in the heart of the Rutherford Bench.
The Elyse Morisoli Vineyard Zinfandel Napa Valley is deep purplish ruby in color and reveals intense aromas of sweet briary fruit, dried herbs and creme de cassis. Intoxicating aromas are followed by a cornucopia of flavors including black raspberries, wild cherries, black currants and orange zest,
Limerick Lane 2013 Estate Zinfandel, Russian River Valley
$ 39.99
Limerick Lane is back with fantastic new Zinfandels. Hurry while these small-production gems are still available.
92 Points Robert Parker: "The 2013 Zinfandel from the Russian River is another sexy wine, and one of their largest production cuvées of just under 2,000 cases. It finished at 14.6% alcohol and shows plenty of classic Mediterranean roasted herbs, pepper, spice and full-bodied blackberry and cherry fruit. It’s a classic Zinfandel, very pure, impressively crafted and should drink nicely for up to a decade."
From their 30-acre estate near Healdsburg in the northeast corner of the Russian River Valley, Limerick Lane produces Zinfandel with a full sense of their Sonoma heritage. The wines convey an honest finesse and a pristine sense of the unique terroir of the Russian River Valley. Zinfandel fanatics are down-to-earth in their passion for the grape, and Limerick Lane is a treasured secret among the faithful for its value and expression. Rustic, gutsy Zinfandel delicately balanced with clarity of fruit and acid. Minimal use of oak preserves the freshness and highlights the full chewy structure.
Seghesio 2013 Old Vines Zinfandel, Sonoma County
$ 39.99
Seghesio consistently makes some of the best buys in California Zinfandel year in and year out.
92 Points Wine Spectator "Highly Recommended": "A winning combination of rustic richness and sleek balance. Aromas of briary wild berry and spicy mocha lead to dense, layered flavors of black cherry, grilled anise and pepper."
Limerick Lane 2016 Estate Zinfandel, Russian River Valley
$ 39.99
95 Points - new release
Limerick Lane is back with a fantastic new Zinfandel. Limited.
95 Point Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2016 Zinfandel Russian River Estate is another gorgeous wine from this estate. Plums, sandalwood, Asian spices, and a hint of cigar all flow to a seamless, elegant Zinfandel that shows the class and quality of this vintage. With medium to full-bodied richness and building, fine tannin, it has complexity, texture, and length. Bravo!"
95 Points Antonio Galloni: "The 2016 Estate Zinfandel shows the more powerful, muscular side of the estate. Rich, pliant and creamy, the Estate hits all the right notes. Bright red cherry, plum, rose petal, mint and licorice build into the succulent, racy finish."
From their 30-acre estate near Healdsburg in the northeast corner of the Russian River Valley, Limerick Lane produces Zinfandel with a full sense of their Sonoma heritage. The wines convey an honest finesse and a pristine sense of the unique terroir of the Russian River Valley. Zinfandel fanatics are down-to-earth in their passion for the grape, and Limerick Lane is a treasured secret among the faithful for its value and expression. Rustic, gutsy Zinfandel delicately balanced with clarity of fruit and acid. Minimal use of oak preserves the freshness and highlights the full chewy structure.
Carlisle 2017 "Piner-Olivet Ranches" Zinfandel, Russian River Valley
$ 42.00
96 Points
Limited new Zinfandel from Carlisle.
96 Points Wine Enthusiast: "This is a first time blending together of three still-also-separate vineyard-designates (Papera, Carlisle, Montafi) into one cohesive harmonious wine. Hugely aromatic in fresh strawberry, cherry cola and tart fresh slices of citrus, it’s a lovely cuveé of tremendous balance and beauty."
Robert Parker: "...A great success story, Mike Officer’s Carlisle Winery continues to not only protect heritage old-vine sites in Northern California, but to also turn out a bevy of realistically priced, delicious, consumer-friendly wines, primarily from Zinfandel, although Officer can also turn a trick or two with Grenache, Petite Sirah and Syrah."
Tofanelli Vineyards 2016 Estate Zinfandel, Napa Valley
$ 43.00
The Tofanelli Vineyard is a well-known source of some of California's finest Zindandels from Turley Wine Cellars, Neyers, and The Prisoner. Vineyard owner Vince Tofanelli turns out a fantastic Zin of his own - get it while it lasts!
92 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2016 Zinfandel Tofanelli Family Vineyard is classic Zin all the way with its exotic bouquet of spice, cedar, white pepper, and blueberry pie. This medium-bodied, balanced, elegant effort has the class and length to evolve nicely for at least 10-12 years. The blend is 90% Zinfandel and 5% each of Petite Sirah and Grenache, aged mostly in used oak."
91 Points Robert Parker: "Comprised of 90% Zinfandel, 5% Grenache and 5% Petite Sirah aged 19 months in 15% new French oak, the medium garnet-purple colored 2016 Zinfandel has this classic, rock-star nose of boisterous black cherry compote, raspberry pie and fruitcake scents with hints of Chinese five spice, incense and potpourri. Rich, full-bodied and decadently fruited, it has a nice plush frame and just enough freshness, finishing long and spicy. 110 cases produced."
Ridge 2016 Lytton Springs Red, Dry Creek Valley
$ 44.00
95 Points - new release
The new Ridge Lytton Springs Red now available! Limited.
95 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2016 Lytton Springs is a powerful, dense wine. Black cherry, plum, lavender, new leather, cloves, licorice and menthol flesh out. Deep, plush and richly textured, the 2016 Lytton Springs packs a real punch. The 23% Petite Sirah is felt in the wine's darkness and overall gravitas. There is more than enough richness and structure to support many years of fine drinking. What a gorgeous wine this is."
92+ Robert Parker: "The 2016 Lytton Springs is also excellent, offering up aromas of crushed currants, plums, candied violets and baked clay. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, rich and youthfully chewy, with a crunchy core of fruit and fine-grained but firm structuring tannins. It's a bit more burly and rustic than the satiny, sumptuous Geyserville this year—no surprise, given that the blend contains fully 23% Petite Sirah (alongside 69% Zinfandel, 6% Carignane and 2% Mataro)...
...This was a great set of recent releases from Ridge, with the superb 2016 Geyserville standing out as a particular highlight. I've also included a few notes on barrel samples tasted at the Monte Bello winery. For my notes on the winery's flagship Bordeaux blend, Monte Bello, readers are directed to my extensive feature on that wine, also published in this issue. Ridge boasts as illustrious a history as any winery in California, but they certainly aren't resting on their laurels. Indeed, a persuasive case could be made that Ridge is currently producing the best wines they've ever made."
Brown Estate 2017 Napa Valley Zinfandel
$ 44.99
One of our favorite small production California Zinfandels for years, The Brown Estate Zinfandel is a beautifully structured, elegant zinfandel. This wine has the great upfront fruit that is a hallmark of Zinfandel, but it also has the polish, elegance, and complexity that makes this a wine to ponder. Wonderful raspberry fruit, with a silky mouthfeel and wonderful balance makes this wine a winner. ST 92 pts.
The Brown Family are the proud owners of this small property located in the Chiles Valley district of the Napa Valley. The Zinfandel grown and produced here is nothing short of spectacular! They have been selling their prime Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon fruit to the likes of Grgich Hills and Green & Red Vineyards.
Gamba 2017 Old Vines Estate Zinfandel, Russian River Valley
$ 44.99
New release of one of our favorite boutique California Zins! Only 650 cases produced, get this up-and-coming Cult Zin before its gone.
previous vintage 94 Points Wine Spectator: "This is what Russian River Zinfandel is all about. Rich, dynamic and layered, with complex fruit, offering notes of jammy black raspberry, stony mineral, herbes de Provence and licorice. The finish unfurls at length. Drink now through 2026."
Robert Parker:..These are pretty serious Zinfandels and certainly Gamba’s name is going to have to be included with some of the stars of Sonoma, such as Hartford Court, Carlisle, Bedrock and even the superstar Turley over in Napa."
If you love the BIG Zin style made famous by wineries such as Turley, Rosenblum and Ridge, you owe it to yourself to get on the Gamba Zinfandel bandwagon.
Gamba 2016 Old Vine Starr Road Ranch Zinfandel, Russian River Valley
$ 44.99
New release of one of our favorite boutique California Zins! Only 650 cases produced, get this up-and-coming Cult Zin before its gone.
previous vintage 96 Points Robert Parker: "The Zinfandel Starr Road Ranch Old Vine comes from a vineyard planted in 1920. A glorious level of licorice, black raspberry, blackberry, and cassis soars from the glass of this wine that wants to suggest old-vine material from a Mediterranean vineyard – but this is Russian River. Full-bodied, opulent, unctuous and a total decadent, hedonistic and intellectual turn-on, this wine should continue to offer great drinking for at least a decade....These are pretty serious Zinfandels and certainly Gamba’s name is going to have to be included with some of the stars of Sonoma, such as Hartford Court, Carlisle, Bedrock and even the superstar Turley over in Napa."
If you love the BIG Zin style made famous by wineries such as Turley, Rosenblum and Ridge, you owe it to yourself to get on the Gamba Zinfandel bandwagon.
Ridge 2018 Geyserville Red, Sonoma County
$ 44.99
The most ageworthy of all Ridge zinfandels, the Ridge Geyserville can be magnificent when young. From legendary 130 year old vines!
93 Points Wine Spectator: "Robust yet brooding, with multilayered black plum, licorice and Asian five-spice powder flavors that build richness toward big, briary tannins. Zinfandel, Carignane, Petite Sirah and Alicante Bouschet. Best from 2022 through 2030."
previous vintage 95 Points Rober Parker: "A first look at the Geyserville Proprietary Red Wine revealed immense promise. Despite having been in barrel for a mere six months, it's already offering up complex aromas of raspberries, blackberries and exotic spice. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, pure and succulent, with superb concentration, a lovely line of ripe acidity and a chalky, fine-grained finish. The wine attained 14.7% alcohol, and Baugher believes it will be one of the best renditions of Geyserville in a decade."
Located on the western edge of Sonoma's Alexander Valley, Geyserville was Ridge's first source of red wine grapes, other than Monte Bello Ridge. The combination of Geyserville's climate, gravelly soils, and varietal mix (zinfandel, carignane, petite sirah, alicante, mataro, etc.) imparts elegance and definition not usually associated with zinfandel. It's hard to describe a "typical" Geyserville. Each vintage is unique, distinct, extraordinary. Yet they do have elements in common, including the blackest of blackberry fruit, peppery spice, tar, cedar. The term "layered" was invented for Geyserville. And the wines change, re-inventing themselves in bottle, developing more nuance and complexity as years pass. The '73 still shines.
Orin Swift 2018 '8 Years in the Desert' Red Blend
$ 44.99
New!
Exclusive new limited release from Orin Swift Cellars: 8 Years in The Desert. Eight limited edition bottles with be released – one at a time – for the next eight years.
previous vintage 94 Points Robert Parker: "Deep garnet-purple colored, the Zinfandel Blend Eight Years (a blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Syrah) comes bounding out of the glass with notes of raspberry pie, blackberry preserves and fruitcake with touches of hoisin and Chinese five spice plus and waft of underbrush. Full-bodied, rich and spicy in the mouth, it packs in the black fruit preserves, framed by chewy tannins and finishing on a savory note."
8 Years in the Desert is a blend of: 56% Zinfandel, 34% Petite Sirah, 10% Syrah.
The Story: Dave has included a personal note for everyone selling the wine on the attached and as to what this release means to him after 8 Years of having not worked with Zinfandel which in context is the varietal that helped cement his career in the industry. Unlike other varietals Dave had to draw on an 8 Year memory of making Zinfandel and knowing that there would be a certain level of expectation of quality from both a wine and packaging elements. During the 8 Year hiatus, there has been a focus and thought regarding the wine and label every single day up until the actual harvest and design could begin which multiplied the effort by a factor of 20.
Disciples 2017 Red, Napa Valley
$ 44.99
New release!
The fourth vintage of Dave Phinney's Disciples Red, the 2017 has arrived. The new Prisoner! Limited.
93 Points Robert Parker: "A blend of 76% Zinfandel, 13% Charbono, 6% Grenache and 5% Petite Sirah, the 2016 Disciples is medium to deep garnet-purple in color with gorgeous notions of hoisin, Black Forest cake, prunes and potpourri with hints of black pepper, unsmoked cigars and cloves. Full-bodied, rich, opulent and oh-so-spicy, it fills the palate with decadent fruit and a plush texture, finishing with a lively lift."
From the new winery The Crane Assembly, the Disciples Red has quite a back story. In August of 2012, four friends (Dave Phinney, Darryl Browman, Kevin A. Fox and Bryan D. Sandoli) stood in the middle of a block of hundred year old Zinfandel. The vineyard was planted by George Beldon Crane in the late nineteenth century and is one of the icons of the Napa Valley. Hours earlier they had signed the paperwork to buy the vineyard and it was just in the nick of time...they picked the grapes the next morning. Since that first year wines were made from our G.B. Crane Vineyard under the el Coco label and the GB Crane label.
Robert Biale 2017 "Black Chicken" Zinfandel, Napa Valley
$ 45.99
94 points
The Return of the Black Chicken! One of California's most sought-after Zins is back.
previous vintage 94 Points Robert Parker: "The Zinfandel Black Chicken (its name coming from the code name used when ordering a jug of Zinfandel during the Prohibition era) is another relatively big-boned Zinfandel at 15.3% alcohol. Gorgeously proportioned, textured and almost chewy, this stunningly hedonistic and fleshy, flamboyant Zinfandel delivers abundant glycerin, fruit, quality and personality. Drink it over the next 7-8 years. ..One of the top Zinfandel specialists in Northern California, Robert Biale’s 2014 Zinfandels are all relatively large-scaled wines, ranging from the mid- to upper-14% alcohol levels to mid-15s."
Since 1937, the Biale family has grown Zinfandel along with assorted other varieties on their farm just outside the town of Napa. Their Zins are famous for a certain breed of intensity and power- the kind you get when you restrict yields to only the best, most concentrated, fully ripe fruit each vintage. "Black Chicken" gets its name from Aldo Biale, who used the name as a code word when he started making the wine on the sly in the '40s and didn't want other members of his family to know. Black Chicken is primarily sourced from Biale's Oak Knoll District ranch estate. Grab some of this limited gem before it disappears!
Macauley 2016 Old Vines Zinfandel, Napa Valley
$ 46.00
An outstanding new Zinfandel discovery from Macauley and winemaker Kirk Venge. Only 375 cases produced.
Winemaker Notes: "This is perhaps the smoothest, silkiest and most seductive tasting Zinfandel I’ve ever made. I would strive to produce this exact bottling every year were it so easily done. The color is an amazing and dark garnet followed by richness and ripeness found in Zins that come only ever so often. The aromatics are well stacked in the glass beginning with sweet red fruit and flowed by barrel vanillin and sweet cocoa. Lastly the typical Zin white pepper and spice finds its place in the furthermost layers of the nose. Moving from the aromatics to the first taste, getting to enjoy this wine is a much anticipated event. The flavors are a pleasant twist of blackberry, vanilla, cassis and sweet density from old vine age supported by the oak. Tannin and acid are interlaced as well offering plenty for this rich Zinfandel to support itself upon. The overall is a polished and pleasing wine that rides the fine line of ripeness with textured mouthfeel and finish that satisfies for over 45 seconds after the first taste. I would anticipate this wine drinking well from inception to 2020 and well beyond."
Carlisle 2017 "Rossi Ranch" Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley
$ 46.99
94 Points - limited
Limited new Zinfandel from Carlisle.
94 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "From a well-known site in Sonoma, the 2017 Zinfandel Rossi Ranch offers ripe blackberry and cherry notes as well as complex ground herbs, underbrush, and earthiness. Medium to full-bodied, seamless, and flawlessly balanced, it has fine tannins as well as a great, great finish."
94 Points Wine Spectator: "A compelling wine that balances a distinct personality with a finely crafted texture and structure. Expressive and brambly black and red fruit pairs with toasty sage and exotic baking spice notes. Drink now through 2029. 1,000 cases made."
Robert Parker: "...From humble beginnings in 1998, Carlisle continues to go from strength to strength, growing from a solid philosophy of sourcing mainly Zinfandel and Rhône varieties from ancient vineyards in Sonoma and further afield. So, most of the vines used by Mike and Kendall Officer were planted from 1888 to 1934. From 2013, they have their own winery in which to create their magic—the old Robert Mueller winery in Russian River Valley."
Carlisle 2014 "DuPratt Vineyard" Zinfandel, Mendocino Ridge
$ 47.00
Limited new Zinfandel from Carlisle.
previous vintage 93 Points Robert Parker: "From Mendocino Ridge, the Zinfandel DuPratt Vineyard is one of the few Carlisle Zins that is 100% Zinfandel. It carries its 15.6% natural alcohol naturally, with no heat or harshness. It is an elegant, nearly Pinot Noir-like red in its delicacy and grace. Medium-bodied with beautiful ripeness, crisp, tart acids, and a refreshing, cool climate-like character, it offers a complete contrast to the Russian River and Sonoma Zinfandels. Drink now-2020...
...A great success story, Mike Officer’s Carlisle Winery continues to not only protect heritage old-vine sites in Northern California, but to also turn out a bevy of realistically priced, delicious, consumer-friendly wines, primarily from Zinfandel, although Officer can also turn a trick or two with Grenache, Petite Sirah and Syrah."
Carlisle 2016 "DuPratt Vineyard" Zinfandel, Mendocino Ridge
$ 47.00
Limited new Zinfandel from Carlisle.
previous vintage 93 Points Robert Parker: "From Mendocino Ridge, the Zinfandel DuPratt Vineyard is one of the few Carlisle Zins that is 100% Zinfandel. It carries its 15.6% natural alcohol naturally, with no heat or harshness. It is an elegant, nearly Pinot Noir-like red in its delicacy and grace. Medium-bodied with beautiful ripeness, crisp, tart acids, and a refreshing, cool climate-like character, it offers a complete contrast to the Russian River and Sonoma Zinfandels. Drink now-2020...
...A great success story, Mike Officer’s Carlisle Winery continues to not only protect heritage old-vine sites in Northern California, but to also turn out a bevy of realistically priced, delicious, consumer-friendly wines, primarily from Zinfandel, although Officer can also turn a trick or two with Grenache, Petite Sirah and Syrah."
Carlisle 2017 "Mancini Ranch" Zinfandel, Russian River Valley
$ 48.00
New release!
Limited new Zinfandel from Carlisle
previous vintage 96 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "Another awesome Zinfandel blend from Mike, the Zinfandel Mancini Ranch is 85% Zinfandel and the rest a mix of assorted varieties, from vines planted in 1922, all aged in 21% new French oak. Crème de cassis, plums, cedary spice, and crushed flowers notes, medium to full body, fine, elegant tannin, and an ethereal, seamless texture all make for a thrilling, awesome wine that can be drunk anytime over the coming decade or more. Winemakers Mike Officer and Jay Maddox have hit pay dirt with these latest and across the board, they’re the finest set of releases I’ve tasted from this estate. Hats off to the team here and readers should not miss these wines!"
93 Points Wine Spectator: "Appealingly old-school, briary and zesty, but well-crafted, offering blueberry and cherry flavors, accented by notes of tarragon, dark Asian spices and cracked pepper. Drink now through 2026."
Robert Parker: "...A great success story, Mike Officer’s Carlisle Winery continues to not only protect heritage old-vine sites in Northern California, but to also turn out a bevy of realistically priced, delicious, consumer-friendly wines, primarily from Zinfandel, although Officer can also turn a trick or two with Grenache, Petite Sirah and Syrah."
Carlisle 2017 Papera Ranch Zinfandel, Sonoma
$ 49.99
97 Points - limited
Limited new Zinfandel from Carlisle.
97 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2017 Zinfandel Papera Ranch comes from a site close to the Mancini Ranch and vines planted in 1934. Notes of plums, blueberries, violets, and earthy, herbal notes all flow to a full-bodied, incredibly deep, layered and concentrated 2017 that certainly makes the most of the vintage. With ripe tannins, remarkable purity of fruit, no hard edges, and flawless balance, it’s another gem in the vintage."
94 Points Wine Spectator: "A compelling wine that balances a distinct personality with a finely crafted texture and structure. Expressive and brambly black and red fruit pairs with toasty sage and exotic baking spice notes. Drink now through 2029. 1,000 cases made."
Robert Parker: "...From humble beginnings in 1998, Carlisle continues to go from strength to strength, growing from a solid philosophy of sourcing mainly Zinfandel and Rhône varieties from ancient vineyards in Sonoma and further afield. So, most of the vines used by Mike and Kendall Officer were planted from 1888 to 1934. From 2013, they have their own winery in which to create their magic—the old Robert Mueller winery in Russian River Valley."
Turley 2006 Juvenile Zinfandel, California
$ 49.99
Very limited Turley Zinfandel.
89 Points Robert Parker: "The easiest drinking Zinfandel, at least one meant for immediate consumption (although one could argue that all Zinfandels should be consumed in the near-term) is the 2006 Juvenile. Made from the young-vine cuvees at Turley, the wine is a sensual, up-front, medium-bodied Zinfandel with dark ruby color, plenty of berry fruit, but some underbrush, pepper, and spice. Drink it over the next several years"
The Prisoner 2018 Red Blend, Napa Valley
$ 52.00
New release!
The new 2018 vintage of Prisoner has arrived!
The Prisoner Red is our most popular and best-selling red wine every year: its simply the most delicious Zin blend available. Don't miss this delicious fruit bomb bursting with deep, rich flavors.
Winemaker Notes: "The wine has a dense red and black hue that is framed in vibrant crimson. Aromas of Bing cherry, espresso, roasted fig and vanillin oak accents are persistent. The entry is powerful and generous supported with lively acidity while flavors of ripe raspberry, pomegranate and wild berry fruit linger harmoniously. Soft, integrated tannin chains allow the wine to be approachable now and provides for a pleasant finish. 51% Zinfandel, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon,15% Syrah, 12% Petite Sirah, 2% Charbono, 1% Grenache."
Robert Parker: "I love what he's done with The Prisoner, a blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and the balance Syrah, Petite Sirah, Charbono, and Grenache. This is a big, sexy, fruit bomb boasting abundant amounts of black, blue, and red fruits along with pepper, spice box, earth, and herbs. It tastes like the unmanipulated essence of the fruit of a Mediterranean vineyard. Soft tannins, medium to full body, and a heady mouthfeel make this a seductive wine to enjoy over the next 2-3 years."
Outpost 2017 Howell Mountain Zinfandel, Napa Valley
$ 54.99
96 points - rare
Outpost is one of California's finest Zinfandel producers with winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown - limited.
Superstar winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown has completely bowled us over with the Outpost Howell Mountain Zinfandel, bursting as it is from the glass with aromas of lemon thyme, blueberry, fig newtons, dried blueberries, black cherry, all lilting above a palate with thrilling concentration. This is spectacular Zinfandel that simply knows exactly how good it is.
94 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2017 Zinfandel Howell Mountain offers a complex bouquet of plums, mulberries, blood orange, and incense to go with a medium to full-bodied, supple, elegant style on the palate. It doesn’t quite have the oomph of the 2016, but I suspect it will put on weight over the course of its élevage and should drink nicely for over a decade as well."
91 Points Robert Parker: "Already bottled, the 2017 Zinfandel (100% Zinfandel) was aged for 16 months in French oak, 34% new. Medium garnet-purple colored, it gives up flamboyant cherry pie, raspberry preserves and blueberry compote notes with touches of Chinese five spice, Sichuan pepper, dusty soil, dried flowers and underbrush. Full-bodied, relatively taut and chewy, it sports bold freshness on the palate, laden with spicy red and blue fruit preserves, finishing long and perfumed."
Martinelli 2017 'Giuseppe & Luisa' Zinfandel, Sonoma
$ 54.99
96 Points Parker - limited
Limited release of Martinelli's legendary Giuseppe & Luisa Sonoma Zinfandel.
96 Points Robert Parker: "Medium ruby-purple, the 2017 Zinfandel Giuseppe and Luisa has a wonderful nose of yellow peach preserves, apricot, boysenberry jam, cinnamon stick and warm black fruits—there are loads of fruity and spicy layers here. In the mouth, it's medium to full-bodied with intense tricolored fruits, firm, grainy tannins and very juicy acidity, finishing long and peachy. This is just what Zinfandel should be! 966 cases produced."
95 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "One of the many standouts in this range, the Martinelli 2017 Zinfandel Giuseppe & Luisa is fabulous. The purity of the flavors is remarkable. Bright red cherry, blood orange, mint and wild flowers are all beautifully delineated in a racy, textured Zinfandel that delivers the goods big time. All the elements meld together effortlessly."
...One of the great families of Northern California, and of course, one of the highest quality producers, the Martinellis – and rather remarkably so – only estate-bottle 15% of their production from over 300 acres of beautifully situated vineyards in the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast. No doubt Helen Turley, who worked at Martinelli and mentored its winemaking team, left a profound influence on the quality of the Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, Syrahs and Zinfandels, a fact that can’t be overstated. The Chardonnays all go through full malolactic fermentation and tend to see about 50% new oak. The Pinot Noirs are always 100% destemmed and largely spend no longer than ten months in about 60% new French oak. More specifics are included with the following tasting notes."
Hartford 2013 Highwire Vineyard Zinfandel, Russian River Valley
$ 55.00
93 Points - limited
Rare single vineyard Zinfandel from Hartford - Limited
93 Points Robert Parker: "Another beauty is the 2013 Zinfandel Highwire Vineyard, which comes from century-old vines, half of which are head-pruned and the other half are trained on a trellising system, hence the name. Aged in 50% new French oak, it includes a small percentage of old vine Carignane in the blend. Terrific blackcurrant and kirsch liqueur notes intermixed with loamy soil, pepper, spice and unsmoked cigar tobacco are all present in this big, full-bodied, powerful Zinfandel. It should drink well for 7-8 years."
93 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "Blue and black stone fruits, pepper, savory herbs and dark spices are some of the notes that inform the 2013 Zinfandel Highwire Vineyard. At once quite ripe and also tannic, the Highwire is a bit explosive in style, but all the elements come together very nicely. The huge, resonant finish makes a statement, that is for sure."
In addition to their enviable portfolio of Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, Hartford Court is one of the top Zinfandel specialists in California. The five 2013 Zinfandels I tasted were all bottled early to preserve their fruit and character."
Fun Fact: The 96-year old Highwire Vineyard takes its name from the vineyards trellising systems: half of the parcel is head trained; half is trained on an unusually high wire strung between each vine. This unconventional trellising method was devised by vineyard owner Lloyd Chelli to permit greater sun exposure and promote even ripening. Both sections of the vineyard are harvested and evaluated individually before selecting the best lots to ensure consistency in style of the incredibly unique 'Highwire' Vineyard Zinfandel. The Chelli family cares deeply for the old vines behind their home. Their dedicated approach to farming is reflected in the character of the wine produced from their vineyard.
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