Zinfandel

Not sure if this was an off bottle or in a bad place right now, but this was the groups and mine last place bottle in a recent tasting of Lodi Zins.  Very disappointing.  I do have another bottle and will revisit at some point to update this note.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has cherry cough syrup with mint and a green tomato streak.  On the palate, the texture is nice with medium tannins but the fruit is light and the green tomato streak dominates.  Some black cherry fruit comes out at the end along with a lot of heat and cough syrup.  Not sure what is going on here.  Drinkable I suppos

Deep garnet in color. The nose takes twenty minutes to open and then shows black cherries, raspberries and spice.  Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Nice black cherry fruit on the palate.  Some vanilla.  The finish builds but it does have some heat.  Leaning toward the bigger side of Lodi Zin but not all the way there.  Very pleasant.  This should be consumed in the next five years.  A nice wine with a burger or comfort food like mac and cheese.  

In a recent tasting of Lodi Zin, i was glad to see this was in the mix.  It seems every time I try this in a blind tasting it finishes at or near the top and this was no exception.  Mine and the groups number one wine.  It has great value and really is a top notch wine in the big, brawny filled with fruit category of Zins.  Inky purple in color.  The nose was a bit funky/dusty at first but with air opened to show black raspberries, plums, coffee and cedar.  On the palate, this is full bodied.  No noticeable tannins.  A lovely full bodied texture with juicy black raspberry fruit.  Also some

Tasted with a bunch of Lodi Zins.  Garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, and some herbal notes.  A little coffee with air.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, black raspberry fruit.  Nice mouthfeel.  Medium tannins.  Cough syrup on the warm finish.  Overall a nice Lodi Zin that is neither a bomb nor on the elegant side.  Easy drinking.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  This will work better with food, perhaps a burger or ribs off the grill.  

My first time trying this.  I suspect that many who do give it the benefit of the doubt due to the name.  Tasted blind, I was unimpressed.  It's fine enough but mothing more.  Pink/copper in color, clear and bright.  The nose has strawberries with a slight decomposing fruit note.  On the palate, this is think, light bodied with a slight strawberry notes.  Dry.  Slight tartness on the finish.  12% abv.  This probably should be consumed over the next year.  It will work better with food and would work with almost any food although the tartness might be an issue for a steak.  

This is a big-ish Zin in style especially for Sonoma.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, black cherries and slight bramble.  A bit of pepper, too.  Full bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, there is nice black raspberry fruit with some cherries.  Underlying spices.  Pepper on the finish.  It worked well with Thai food but will drink well on its own too.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  

This is a Zinfandel made from younger vines that have been replanted in 24 different vineyards.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is dusty with black cherry fruit and spice.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, the black cherry fruit and spices come thru.  There is some heat on the mid-palate.  Very tasty.  Drink over the next five years.  This drinks well on its own and will work well with barbecue or foods off the grill.  

This is always a go to value wine.  Amazing?  No.  But solid, dependable and tasty.  Purple/Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, some black cherries, slight cedar and vanilla.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, cherries with a peppery note.  Moderate finish.  This is easy drinking with no edges.  It works nicely on its own and would work well with burgers off the grill.  Drink over the next three to five years.  

Grabbed this one by accident (thinking it was the Sonoma County Zin).  Oh well.  A bit different and very good.  No harm done. A bit more spread out and wider, if that makes sense, than their Sonoma Zins.   Deep garnet/purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is upfront with black cherries, raspberries, bramble and baking spices.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, nice black cherries and raspberries.  Some underlying char.  Lively.  Good finish.  This should drink well for the next seven to ten years.  A nice match for pizza or a burger.