Quivera 2019 Black Boar Zinfandel

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$55.00USD

Though Zinfandel is California’s signature grape, much of what is made is simplistic, jammy and average. Good thing the folks at Quivera have always taken Zin seriously. Comprised of all Zin with 15% Petite Sirah, the Black Boar offers complex flavors of black cherry, blackberry, plum, bay leaf, current marmalade, with light green tea notes, rhubarb, smoked vanilla and subtle charred campfire. The overtness of the fruit is kept in check with moderate tannins and a smart oak program, which included French, American and Hungarian oak, for a total of just 18 months in barrel.

2018 Carlisle Zinfandel Pagani Ranch Sonoma Valley, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

Another winner from Carlisle.  I am sure these will age nicely, but I just can't keep my hands off of them young.  Ruby/purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black cherries, spice, blueberries, and cedar.  Full bodied.  Lovely, almost lush texture.  Good acidity.  Light tannins.  On the palate, black cherries, black raspberries, with slight char underneath.  Long finish.  Just delicious.  This is great on its own and will drink well for another ten years.  It also will work well for spicy and bigger foods.  Besides pizza, this would be great with ribs off the gr

2021 Bedrock Wine Co. Old Vine Zinfandel, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

The winemaker's notes indicate that "the finished blend is 85% Zinfandel with 7% Carignan, 4% Cinsault and bits and bobs of Grand Noir, Petite Sirah, Alicante Bouschet and other field-blended varieties." Overall, this is pretty consistent with prior years.  Purple/garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, raspberries, char and slight bramble.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is middle ground between claret and bombastic styled Zin.  Plenty of black cherry fruit with good balance, slight tannins and some char.  Nice finish.  This is a great c

2020 North Coast Wine Club Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

This is made in Solon, Ohio with purchased grapes from California.  It is a lighter styled, "Claret" Zinfandel.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has raspberries, cranberries and slight bramble.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is solid.  Raspberries and bramble.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  This drinks easy on its own but is probably better with food.  It went well with just sitting around having mixed nuts and cheeses.  Drink over the next few years.  

2020 Paraduxx Proprietary Red Wine

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$56.00USD

Paraduxx was started in 1994 with the sole purpose of offerings blended wines to the public. Whereas many wineries espouse 100% varietal, the blend is, and always has been, the ability to craft a wine that is greater than the sum of its parts. Though this is 60% Cabernet, there are six other grapes playing a part, including Zinfandel, Grenache and Malbec. This is a soft wine that offers noticeable fruit: black cherry, huckleberry, blueberry and blackberry along with light vanilla, green tea and baked apricot. The tannins help to solidify the structure, being potent but not aggressive.

2022 Michael Angelo's Zinfandel, American, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

This is an old school take on Zin.  Don't expect a full throttle purple-fruit style.  It took a bit of calibration, and then was enjoyable.  Ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries and cherries with a bit of pepper.  Medium bodied.  No tannins.  On the palate, nice easy drinking.  Cherries and black cherries with a slight bramble note.  No noticeable alcohol.  This is a nice wine for drinking outside on the deck.  It will work well with a burger or pizza.

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

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

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.  

2019 Carlisle Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$60.00USD

From Mike Officer's home vineyard, another in the Carlisle collection of excellent Zinfandels.  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, raspberries, slight leather and citrus.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this is young but delicious.  Black raspberries, black cherries, and spice.  Some minty on the finish.  This should drink well for the next ten to twelve years.  Great on its own, this will work well with a burger or ribs off the grill.  

2020 Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel Teldeschi Ranch, USA, California, Sonoma, Dry Creek Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$44.00USD

Deep ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, bramble and black pepper. Medium bodied.  Moderate acidity. On the palate, this is upfront with good black cherry fruit.  Some depth.  Good finish.  Tasty.  Drinking well now and should for another five to eight years.  A nice wine with pizza.  

2019 Carlisle Zinfandel Piner Olivet Ranches Russian River Valley, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$36.00USD

Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, spice and slight bramble.  Light to medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this has cherries with some underlying char.  Moderate finish. Nice to have something a bit different every now and then.  Drink over the next five years. A nice wine with pizza.  

Pages