Zinfandel

One of the great values in Zinfandel.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black cherries, spice and bramble.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this has lots of energy.  Black cherries, some blueberries, spice and smoke.  Great acidity.  Delicious.  Nice finish.  This will probably drink well for ten to twelve years, but I always seem to drink these young.  No regrets about that.  Great on its own, this will be great with roasted veggies or a garden (or meat) burger.  

This is a value priced Zinfandel that makes easy drinking.  Darker ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has nice cherries with some spice.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, nice cherry fruit.  This goes down easy.  Ever so slightly sweet.  This should be drunk in the next couple of years.  Nice on its own, this will work well with burgers or ribs.  

Opened by a friend after a Lodi Zin tasting as an example that Zins last.  We all wondered if it were alive and, it was.  Purple in color, a bit flat but not really looking like it was 27 years old.  The nose is dusty with a bit of bramble and woodiness left but also some cherry fruit.  On the palate, there is still cherry fruit and some dried fruits.  Good balance.  Now, this was probably better twenty years ago, and I doubt ageing improved it much, but it clearly has lasted (stored in a wine fridge).  A real treat to try now.  

Nice to try this with a bit more age on it.  Purple in color with some dark brown mix, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is tight but opens to show some black raspberries, dust and just a touch of cider.  On the palate, this has prunes along with a bit of green tomatoes although it is much better than that sounds.  It probably should be drunk up.  This works on its own and would work with a meat based stew.  

I liked this (more than the people I was tasting with).  It is more claret styled than fruit filled.  Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has light cherry notes with a touch of smoke.  On the palate, a nice texture.  Tart and fresh cherries, slight pie filling.  Slight tannins.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This wine will do better with food.  Chili would work well.  Drink over the next few years.  

This is one of the consistently better Zinfandels from Lodi.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  Mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries and coffee along with a bit of an herbal streak.  Full bodied.  On the palate this has light tannins.  Nice black cherry fruit.  Maybe a bit of dates.  A bit of late heat on the finish.  This drinks well on its own and will work well with a steak or a burger off the grill.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  

Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is dusty with sour cherries.  On the palate, this has a nice texture, but the palate lacks.  There is a bit of a tomato paste note along with some cough syrup.  It seems a bit thinner on fruit though there is some cherry quality.  A bit of menthol/alcohol on the finish.  Others I drank this with liked it more than I.  Drink in the next few years. It might work better with some spicy chicken wings.  

At the time, this was made by Michael David winery.  They have since sold off this line.  It continues to be an excellent source of good value Zinfandel.  Ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has nice cherry fruit but with a touch of a chemical/glue nose.  On the palate, it is much nicer with cherries and chocolate.  It could use a touch more acidity but it drinks easily.  Nice on its own, this makes a nice wine for a large party.  Drink over the next few years.  

This was mildly corked but also seemed very long in the tooth.  Drink up if you have any.  

This is the top end of the Michael David lineup of Zinfandels.  15.5% abv.  Inky purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, plums and black pepper. Medium bodied with medium tannins.  On the palate, black cherries becoming more cough syrup on the finish.  Overall a solid Zinfandel but there doesn't seem to be an upgrade over some of this wineries less expensive wines.  This should be consumed in the next five to eight years.  It will work well on its own and work great with a burger (or veggie burger) off the grill.