2019 Martinelli Zinfandel Giuseppe & Luisa, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

These wines are not for everyone as the bottle indicates 16.3%abv, but this was stunning. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is deep with black raspberry jam, some bramble, slight prunes and also some floral notes and spice. Full bodied. Light tannins. Great energy and balance. On the palate, this is a big wine (some might say bombastic) but filed with fruit and complexity. Flavors of black raspberry and red raspberry jam with some spice and black pepper. Long finish. It went very well with a spicy pasta, peppers and onion dish. These do age well with the caveat that if you don't like them young you probably won't like them with age.

Grade:

A+

Score:

Vintage:

2019

Current Price:

$50.00USD

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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2012 Martinelli Zinfandel Giuseppe & Luisa, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage:

2012

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$70.00USD

What a pretty Zinfandel. Not a monster in any way. Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright. Rather light looking, just on appearance I would not have guessed Zinfandel. On the nose, this has raspberries, slight cherries, a bit of bramble, black pepper and vanilla. The label lists this as 17.3% Alcohol. Whoa. Not a trace on the nose or palate though. Even the texture, which can be bolstered by alcohol, doesn't reveal the high level. The palate does give cherries, slight Framboise, with underlying char. There is depth and complexity here. And deliciousness. I would guess that this

2018 Martinelli Zinfandel Giuseppe & Luisa, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage:

2018

Score:

Grade:

B+

Current Price:

$48.00USD

I had high hopes for this wine, but it really didn't come together well. Consumed over three nights, the first night was the best showing. given the showing, it is possible this bottle had seen heat damage at some point although there were no obvious signs. Garnet/purple in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has candied cherries (think cough drops) with some plums. Medium bodied. On the palate, the candied cherries carry thru along with a slight port-like note of alcohol. Prune with heat on the finish. I like these wine as a general rule and perhaps with some cellaring, this

2009 Martinelli Zinfandel Giuseppe & Luisa, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage:

2009

Score:

Grade:

A-

Purple in color. The nose is nice and showing a bit of "claret" style. Black raspberries, black cherries, spice, and a bit of black pepper. On the palate, this is fresh and still youthful. A bit jammy but no real alcohol showing despite 16.5%. It does show on the texture and slight warmth on the finish, but not much at all. Drinking well now and a crowd pleaser. Worked with some spicy pizza.

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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2019 Martinelli Zinfandel Giuseppe & Luisa, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

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2018 Martinelli Zinfandel Giuseppe & Luisa, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

2009 Martinelli Zinfandel Giuseppe & Luisa, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Dashe Cellars: Making Zinfandel in Oakland