2018 Dutcher Crossing Zinfandel Bacigalupi Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

This is more of a claret styled Zin and not a monster fruit bomb. This style tends to age nicely and at age 5, this one was drinking beautifully. Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright. The nose has cherries, slight bramble and a bit of black pepper. Medium bodied. Medium tannins. Good acidity. Velvety texture. On the palate, cherries and black cherries with a slight milk chocolate note. Delicious. Good finish. This should drink well for another five to eight years. It drinks well on its own and will work very well with hearty foods such a lamb stew or even vegetarian chili.

Grade:

Score:

Vintage:

2018

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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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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2015 Carlisle Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage:

2015

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$47.00USD

Nice to revisit this wine. It was quite rambunctious on release and while still more of a brawny Zin it has started the evolution to more claret in style. Purple in color with ruby swirls. The nose has raspberries, black cherries, some spice and black pepper. On the palate, this is medium bodied. Plenty of raspberries and cherries with some dry charred earthiness. There is some warmth on the finish but not enough to be a concern. There does seem to be enough fruit to last, so the question is what you are looking for in a Zinfandel. If you want big and bold drink now, but if claret s

2017 Limerick Lane Zinfandel Russian River Valley, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage:

2017

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$35.00USD

This is this excellent Zinfandel producer's basic wine. It is a very nice value. In terms of style, it is middle of the road between a fruit bomb and a claret styled Zin. Purple in color with some ruby swirls. The nose is nice with cherries, black cherries, slight char and bramble. On the palate, the cherries come thru. This drinks easy with a slight complexity. Some cough syrupy notes on the finish. This probably should be consumed over the next three to five years. Nice on its own, this will work well with burgers or ribs off the grill.

2012 Carlisle Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River, Wine Review

Vintage:

2012

Score:

Grade:

Just a beautiful wine. Drinking youthfully but showing some development. Open for business. Purple in color. The nose has leather, bramble, black raspberries. Very deep. With air, some graphite. On the palate, black raspberries with an underlayer of charred earth. A lovely texture; both velvety and intense. great finish. This would pair with heartier foods and certainly spicy foods. This may not get better but has five to seven years left at peak easily and probably more as it morphs into more of a claret styled Zin. So good right now though.

2018 Dutcher Crossing Zinfandel Bacigalupi Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

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2012 Carlisle Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River, Wine Review