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BUYINGGUIDE
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ZINFANDEL
Robert Biale 2014 Stagecoach Vineyard Zinfandel
(Napa Valley). From the only producer
to source Zin from this famous vineyard, this
wine is abundant in a complexity of baked bread,
blackberry jam and vanilla, with endless depth on
the palate. Fresh and juicy, it balances its fruitiness
with mountain-sized tannin strength and concentration.
—V.B.
abv: 14.7% Price: $52
94
VGS Chateau Potelle 2013 Zinfandel (Mount
Veeder). Perfumed in a wildness of violet
and lavender, this beautiful wine is rich and smooth
on the palate, both textured and layered. Seductive
in its hint of leathery white pepper, it develops
brambly blackberry-compote flavors as it opens in
the glass. —V.B.
abv: 14.8% Price: $65
94
Williams Selyem 2014 Bacigalupi Vineyard
Zinfandel (Russian River Valley). For full
review see page 5.
abv: 14.9% Price: $58
93
Robert Biale 2014 Valsecchi Vineyard Zinfandel
(Carneros). Meaty and dusty, this wine
from a Vineburg-based site is full bodied, ripe and
voluptuous with a light dusting of black pepper and
clove. Within its cradling of dense concentration, an
underbelly of acidity allows for freshness within the
power. —V.B.
abv: 15.5% Price: $58
92
Alyris 2014 The Audition Mount George
Estate Zinfandel (Napa Valley). Peppery,
brambly, integrated and balanced, this impressively
layered and complex 100% varietal wine highlights
the grape’s ability to be fruity, spicy and soft all at
the same time. —V.B.
abv: 14.9% Price: $35
92
Armida 2014 Tina’s Block Maple Vineyards
Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley). For full review
see page 9.
abv: 14.8% Price: $48
92
Artezin 2014 Old Vine Zinfandel (Mendocino
County). For full review see page 9. Editors’
Choice.
abv: 14.5% Price: $18
92
Haraszthy 2013 Indian Springs Ranch
Reserve Zinfandel (Sonoma Valley). This
sultry, big-boned wine offers deft aspects of black
pepper and dried herb atop a softly layered touch of
brown sugar. Richness is there, as is a voluptuous
flirtatiousness, yet it remains dry and dusty on the
palate and classically varietal. —V.B.
abv: 14.8% Price: $34
92
Hunt & Ryde 2013 Old Vine Zinfandel
(Sonoma County). For full review see page
10.
abv: 14.1% Price: $40
92
Jaxon Keys 2013 Estate Michael’s Reserve
Norma’s Vineyard Primitivo (Mendocino).
In this wine, a distinct and delicious blackberryjam
aroma is backed up by concentrated and pure
fruit flavors. But the balance is good and dry, and
the wine has a mouth-filling texture buoyed by finegrained
tannins and full body. This is a wonderful
example of a flavor-packed but sophisticated dinner
wine from this varietal. —J.G.
abv: 14.6% Price: $24
92
Novy 2014 Limerick Lane Vineyard Zinfandel
(Russian River Valley). This showcases a
highly sought-after vineyard site known for its tension
of big, bold, ripe fruit and notable acidity. Red
currant, cranberry and leather find a well-composed
rendering of leathery clove and other lively hits of
spice, including black and white pepper. —V.B.
abv: 14.9% Price: $34
92
Ottimino Vineyards 2013 Biglieri Vineyard
Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley). From a dryfarmed
vineyard planted more than 50 years ago,
this 100% varietal wine is highlighted in compost,
leather and graphite. Well structured, with firm,
strong tannins, it offers a tartness of pomegranate
and black cherry along with a complexity of savory
tobacco leaf. —V.B.
abv: 14.8% Price: $37
92
Rosenblum 2012 Carla’s Reserve Zinfandel
(Contra Costa County). Luscious and sleek
in mouthfeel, and drenched with wonderful fruit
flavors, this wine is a beauty. It has ample ripe fruit
flavors like boysenberry and cherry pie without
being literally sweet, while a sense of quiet concentration
lasts on the lingering finish. It is structured
with enough fine-grained tannin to age gracefully,
so it’s best to drink after 2019. Cellar Selection.
—J.G.
abv: 14.5% Price: $25
92
Sequum 2013 Kidd Ranch Zinfandel (Napa
Valley). Leathery at its core, this small-production
wine is subdued and relatively restrained,
showing bold, juicy layers of strawberry and cranberry.
It offers enviable structure and ability to age.
It will drink best 2023–2028. Cellar Selection.
—V.B.
abv: 14.4% Price: $40
91
Ancient Oak Cellars 2012 Pagnano Vineyard
Zinfandel (Russian River Valley). From estategrown
grapes, this impressive bottling is moderately
spicy, showing a floral flair on the nose. Medium
bodied and soft on the palate, it shines in a depth of
plum, leather and black pepper. —V.B.
abv: 14.7% Price: $35
91
Black Saint Peter 2014 Old Vine Zinfandel
(Lodi). An earthy, black-pepper aroma and
classic blackberry, raspberry and brambly spice
components make this a fine example of Zinfandel.
It is full bodied, mouthfilling and generous in
flavor, benefitting from good acidity and moderate,
fine-grained tannins for structure. Editors’ Choice.
—J.G.
abv: 14.4% Price: $17
91
Graziano 2013 Zinfandel (Mendocino County).
An unusual level of flavor concentration and
density of texture make this wine substantive in
mouthfeel, intriguing in depth, and a good wine to
age for a few years. It has touches of sage and sweet
oak in the aroma, plus full-bore flavors of blackberry
and black cherry on the palate. With great
structure due to firm tannins and acidity, it will be
best to drink after 2019. Cellar Selection. —J.G.
abv: 14.5% Price: $19
91
Novy 2014 Carlisle Vineyard Zinfandel (Russian
River Valley). Dried sage and a hint of
saddle leather highlight this dry, dusty wine noteworthy
for its bright, buoyant acidity and layering
of red currant. It delivers plenty of full-bodied
flavor within a complex, approachable experience.
—V.B.
abv: 14.7% Price: $34
91
Ottimino Vineyards 2013 Zinfinity Zinfandel
(Sonoma County). For full review see page 15.
abv: 14.5% Price: $20
91
Peachy Canyon 2014 Vortex Zinfandel (Paso
Robles). For full review see page 15.
abv: 14.9% Price: $38
90
Beekeeper Cellars 2014 Secret Stones
Madrone Spring Vineyard Zinfandel (Rockpile).
Smoky and abundant in brambly blackberry
and black cherry, this is a soft, ripe and leathery
wine from a dry-farmed site. Black olive and black
pepper contribute additional complexity and spicy
intrigue, while measured acidity keeps it grounded.
—V.B.
abv: 14.9% Price: $65
90
Gehricke 2014 Zinfandel (Russian River Valley).
For full review see page 18.
abv: 14.8% Price: $30
90
Mike and Molly Hendry 2014 R.W. Moore
Vineyard Zinfandel (Coombsville). From a
terrific, old-vine site in the heart of the southernlying
appellation, this is a mild-mannered, juicy
wine, structured and balanced despite the abundance
of ripe red fruit. Cinnamon and pepper
complement the restrained nature of the brambly
cherry. —V.B.
abv: 15% Price: $38
90
Ottimino Vineyards 2013 Rancho Bello Vineyard
Zinfandel (Russian River Valley). This
is a 100% varietal wine aged in French oak from a
28 | WINE ENTHUSIAST | MARCH 2017