Zinfandel

From Magnum.  Ruby in color, opaque and flat.  The nose is dusty with cedar and black cherries.  On the palate, this is older and starting to get tired.  There is a tart acidity.  Black cherry fruit and slight dried cherries.  Not sure what this was like in its youth but now it is more claret in style.  Drinking well right now with fruit and complexity.  That said, drink up as this will start to slide soon.  Works with a wide variety of foods.  

This is a big, forward style Zinfandel but stays just shy of being over the top for that style.  Purple in color.  The nose has blueberry pie, slight fruitcake spice and black pepper.  With air roasted herbs come out with a bit of bramble.  On the palate, this is delicious with black raspberries, blueberries and cherries.  Deep and complex.  Long finish.  Would go well with bold flavored food especially cooked over a grill.  

A new wine for me, this was quite good.  From members of the Cline wine family.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has black raspberries and some bramble.  On the palate, black cherry, underlying char and slight earth.  Good balance.  More middle of the road on a Zinfandel scale.  Good with a lot of foods.  Seems like it will easily go a decade more.  

Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has black cherries, black pepper and slight chocolate.  Also some nutmeg.  On the palate, this is very ripe and jammy.  Lots of black cherry fruit and dried cherries.  There is a lot of depth here.  Mild tannins.  For those who like big, fruity wines, this is it.  For others, it might be a bit over the top.  There is some acidity, however, it would take bold flavored foods to stand up to this.  However, one glass, on its own is tasty as a cocktail.  15.9% Alc.  

Deep ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, some bramble and slight spice.  On the palate, this has sweet red fruits.  Drinking easy and delicious if not a lot of depth.  Nice texture.  Made for short term consumption.  Works with heavier foods.  

Purple/ruby in color.  The nose is dusty with cherries.  Soft texture.  On the palate, black cherries with some spice.  Soft texture.  It is drinking well now with some depth.  This is a more Bordeaux-esque style of Zin.  For those who are looking for something more refined and not jammy, this fits the bill.  Works with a wide variety of foods.  Probably should be consumed in the next six years.  

Pale ruby in color.  The nose is different and a bit off putting.  Oranges and strawberries but also a burnt/raisin note that covers up any freshness.  Fortunately, this is better on the palate.  It is drier than most of the white Zins tried.   Citrusy, think pink grapefruits.  Some depth.  Kosher.  Retails for around $10.  

Ruby in color, slightly electric.  Pretty.  On the nose, there are light strawberries.  On the palate, this is a dead ringer for cherry lifesaver candies.  Its a bit cloying in a wine, but those who buy this are probably looking for this quality.  Nothing offensive and would pair nicely with a light salad on a picnic.  This retails for around $8.  

I haven't had this in a few years but it hasn't changed it seems.  This retails for around $25 and for people who like this style, this is a great price point.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, black raspberries and cherries in a very perfumed liqueur package.  Also plenty of "toasty oak".   On the palate, this is warm but juicy.  Plenty of red berry pie filling.  Plenty of toast and spice.  Medium tannins.  Easily gulpable.  More of a love it or hate wine perhaps, but those who love it will drink bottles (and add 2 or 3 points to the score) and for those who don't, one glass will sti

This is a great take on Zinfandel using mountain fruit which gives it a bit more concentration and less exuberance.  Purple in color.  The nose  has black raspberries, some blueberries, a bit of bramble and spice and slight black pepper.  On the palate, this has a great dense and lush texture.  Lots of black raspberry fruit.  This is still young and should broaden out over the next decade with cellaring.  That said, it presents a really powerful and enjoyable Zinfandel right now as well.  Works with hearty foods.