2017 Dry Creek Vineyard Zinfandel Heritage Vines, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

This is a solid wine and a nice value in Sonoma Zinfandel. A blend of 77% Zinfandel, 21% Petit Verdot & 2% Carignane. Ruby in color with purple swirls. The nose has raspberries, spice and dust. Medium bodied. On the palate, this is slightly brawny with red fruits. Easy drinking. Light tannins. Best to drink now or in the next few years. Works well with pizza or burgers. A nice wine for a party. Shop around as its MSRP is $26 but its widely available ranging from $15 and up.

Grade:

B+

Vintage:

2017

Current Price:

$15.00USD

Top Ten California Zinfandels - 2016

I tend to taste and drink a lot of wine over the course of a year. I am in a few tasting groups, sometimes the wines are consumed at various local wine store tastings and a number drunk with friends and family.

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Napa Valley Wineries with the Best Zinfandel

Napa Valley Zinfandels are celebrated for their easy drinking allure and bold juicy flavors making this varietal a total crowd pleaser. Zinfandels made in the Napa Valley are iconic, although some may say a little forgotten, however, it’s a flavor profile known for intense black fruits and spice which render Napa Valley Zinfandels as the most epically jammy varietal produced. The Napa Valley’s warm California climate is fundamental to winemaking and Napa Valley Zinfandels are a great example of how winemakers utilize that heat, skillfully harnessing the temperatures to produce some of the most intense wine the Napa Valley has to offer. Zinfandels crafted in the Napa Valley region, especially old vine Zinfandels, have exploding flavors that ripen outrageously giving life to wines that create an exceptional food and wine experience. When you find a way to always have excellent Napa Valley Zinfandel around it’s sure to illuminate any meal because Napa Valley Zinfandel is, more than anything else, a food pairing wine. These Napa Valley wineries with the best Zinfandel are recommendations specifically known for their outstanding, award-winning Zinfandel.

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2017 A. Rafanelli Zinfandel, USA, California, Sonoma, Dry Creek Valley, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$42.00USD

Rafanelli followers are some of the most devoted in the Zin world, and rightly so. They make some of the best Zins. In style, the wines are middle of the road. They have a lot of fruit, but are not bombastic. They have an elegance but are not in a claret style. They also age nicely. This one is purple in color. The nose has raspberries, black raspberries, black cherries, slight bramble and spice. On the palate, this has a lot of energy. Good acidity. Plenty of black cherry fruit with a bit of raspberries over a char/smoke and spice. Medium bodied with a lovely texture. Good fini

2014 Gregory James Old Vine Zinfandel Carreras Ranch, USA, California, Sonoma, Dry Creek Valley, Wine Review

Vintage:

2014

Score:

Grade:

A-

This is more of a "claret" styled Zinfandel than a big brawny styled Zin. Purple in color with some ruby swirls. The nose has dust, black cherries and slight tobacco. On the palate, this has some depth. Juicy black cherry fruit intertwined with a bit of damp earth. Nice finish. This would be great with Indian food. Drink over the next five years, but it might surprise and last (a lot) longer.

Dashe Cellars: Making Zinfandel in Oakland

The wine business is a fickle mistress. Winery owners and winemakers chase elusive scores, the public makes buying decisions based on movies, hype and price, and critics seem to applaud fruit laden, high octane wines. So where does that leave Dashe Cellars in Oakland, CA? Right where they want to be.

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2017 Dry Creek Vineyard Zinfandel Heritage Vines, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Food and Wine Pairing Tool

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Top Ten California Zinfandels - 2016

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2017 A. Rafanelli Zinfandel, USA, California, Sonoma, Dry Creek Valley, Wine Review

2014 Gregory James Old Vine Zinfandel Carreras Ranch, USA, California, Sonoma, Dry Creek Valley, Wine Review

Dashe Cellars: Making Zinfandel in Oakland