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More California Zinfandel ReviewsOur tasting panel offers its reviews of current Zinfandels.
Tasting California Zin from Rancho Zabaco, Orchid Hill Estates, Red Head Ranch and other fine California wineries.
This article concludes the three-part tasting series on recent California Zinfandels, featuring wines from the Napa Valley, Paso Robles, Russian River, Sonoma County and other micro-regions. 2003 Red Head Ranch Zinfandel Paso Robles; 16% alc., $27 Beautifully textured, integrated wine with a long bright finish. Rich, warm garnet color. Redolent of plum, black raspberry and unripe cherry. An intense, complex and elegant wine and a first rate example of what a great Paso Robles Zinfandel can be. Made from fruit grown in two of Paso Robles' oldest and most respected Zinfandel vineyards. Highly recommended. 2004 Orchid Hill Estate Zinfandel Primi Paso Robles; 16.6% alc., $30 The name Orchid Hill might connote floral delicacy, but the back label says this wine is robust. And it is - weighing in at a whopping 16.6% alcohol. Rich mouth feel. It's made from the Italian Primitivo clone, but in our view, difficult to distinguish from other widely planted Zinfandel clones in Paso Robles. That said, the Orchid Hill Zinfandel is a polished example of Paso Robles Zin. Rich and bold, with notes of allspice, tarragon, dark cherry and black pepper. Try it with a spicy curry or dark chocolate. Highly recommended. 2004 Rancho Zabaco Zinfandel Russian River Valley; 15% alc., $28 Big, round and intense Russian River Zinfandel. Soft, velvet tannins give structure and texture to this delicious, mouth-filling fruit-forward wine. Well-balanced and satisfying wine from a respected Sonoma producer specializing in Zinfandel. Recommended. 2004 Puccioni Old Vine Zinfandel Sonoma County Dry Creek Valley; 14.9% alc., $28 Puccioni Old Vine Zinfandel beautifully expresses the distinctiveness of Sonoma's Dry Creek region. Spice, earth and pepper dominate the aromatics with brooding dark cherry in the background. A massive and masculine wine with high extraction and enough soft tannins to give it a chewy texture and long, lingering finish. The Puccioni Old Vine Zinfandel is a handcrafted wine with loads of personality and made in extremely small amounts. Pair this one with a smoky barbecue or spicy Indian curry. Highly recommended. 2004 Red Head Ranch Zinfandel Paso Robles; 16% alc., $27 This outstanding producer has created an unusual Syrah-like Zinfandel with unmistakable aromas of smoked meats surrounding a core of ripe red fruits, spices and wild herbs. Highly textured, mouth-filling wine that tears nicely in the glass. Delicious flavors of dark cherry, brown sugar, sage and lavender. A real winner! Highly recommended. Still to come: Late Harvest Zinfandel and Zinfandel Port.
The copyright of the article More California Zinfandel Reviews in New World Wine is owned by Alan Boehmer. Permission to republish More California Zinfandel Reviews in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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