Turley Old Vines Zinfandel 2016, California, USA 🇺🇸

🍇 Zinfandel 100%

🧐 Alcohol 15.5%

🍁 My Score 88 Points

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Classic Zin nose with aromas of wild berries, black cherries, violets, light cloves and burnt brown sugar. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied with fruity flavours, baking spices, soft tannins and low acidity. The finish is medium length with flavours of ripe berries, dried raisins, vanilla and peppery notes.

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I really enjoyed this Zinfandel with a BBQ steak but by the end of the evening, on it’s own, it tasted a little jammy. Would have preferred more depth, structure and acidity. Base on my notes, I enjoyed the 2015 more than this vintage. Still a good Zin experience. Cheers my wine friends 🍷

Decoy Zinfandel 2010, California, USA

Made with 100% Zinfandel with maturation for 12 months in 100% American oak barrels of which 30% is new oak and the remaining 70% is second vintage, alcohol comes in at 14.5%.

This Zin opened up with pleasant aromas of wild berry fruit, strawberry jam, vanilla and gentle wood spices. On the mouthfeel, medium bodied and well balanced by soft seductive ripe fruit flavors, fresh acidity and fine tannins. Medium length and very smooth on the finish. I don’t often associate California Zinfandel with elegance and finesse but in this case the team at Duckhorn manage just that. While I really enjoyed this wine I feel it does not represent good value in our market, I see many US retailers selling it for between $17 to $22 US dollars. As Ontario is one of the biggest buyer of wine in the world, they should have managed a better price for us. Score 91 points.

Purchased August 3, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (327502) at $29.95

De Loach Russian River Valley Zinfandel 2010, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA

 

Made with 100% Zinfandel with maturation in French, American and Hungarian oak barrels for 11 months and alcohol comes in at 14.2%.

This wine opened up with a very sweet aromas of ripe cherry/raspberry fruit, stewed plums, cola, vanilla and spices. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied with spicy flavours, lively acidity and well integrated tannins. This Zin’s finish is short, but the flavours are nice and spicy.  For me, an enjoyable Zinfandel and I love that it’s not too jammy. However, at this price point, it lacks complexity and structure . Score 88 points.

Purchased June 8, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (980573) at $29.95

Kunde Zinfandel 2008, Sonoma County, California, USA

Mostly Zinfandel with a small amount of Petite Sirah and Syrah, with maturation in a combination of American, French and Hungarian oak for 19 months, alcohol comes in at 14.5%.

A beautiful sensuous nose on this Zin, with aromas of black cherry, wild berries, raisins, toasty oak, saddle leather, vanilla and espresso notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied with ripe fruit concentration, peppery, cola flavours, nice acidity and silky tannins. This wines finish is a medium length with ripe and rich fruit concentration, peppery and savoury notes and a beautiful velvety texture. Great flavours on this Zinfandel, awesome value and strongly recommended. Score 89 points.

Purchased June 22, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (965921) at $21.95

Ravenswood Old Vine Zinfandel 2010, Lodi, California. USA

 

 

This wine is made with mostly Zinfandel, at 77%, the remaining 23% is Petit Syrah with alcohol coming in at 14.5%.

 

This wine opened up with aromas of red cherry, plum, wild berries, soft leather, spicy and vanilla notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied with ripe fruit concentration, spicy, fresh acidity and silky tannins. The finish is long, spicy with sweet and tart flavours and fine silky tannins. A lovely, well made Zinfandel, were the fruit is ripe and oak treatment is well handled, nothing overdone. Perfect paired with anything from the BBQ or can sip on its own, was very enjoyable. Strongly recommended, score 90 points.    

Purchased May 25, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (942599) at $19.95



Candor Lot 3 Zinfandel, California, USA

Candor Lot 3 is a blend of Zinfandel from three different vintages; 2008 represents 6% of the blend, 2009 78% and 2010 16%. The fruit are grown in two regions, Lodi with about 65% with the remaining 35% from Paso Robles. Maturation was predominantly in American oak and alcohol comes in at 14.5%.

This Zinfandel opened up with an attractive and ripe bouquet of blueberry, plum and red berry fruit, fruitcake, light cedar, vanilla and savoury notes. On the mouthfeel, a medium-full bodied wine with delicious ripe fruit covering the palate, fine texture, balanced acidity and silky tannins. The finish is long, very smooth, fruit driven and those same lovely silky tannins lingering. This is a beautiful, well balanced, aromatic and delicious wine with great Zin character and highly unlikely to disappoint. Strongly recommended, score 90 points.

Purchased March 30, 2013 LCBO Vintages New Release (133389) at $21.95  

Ridge Lytton Springs 2009, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA

This delicious wine is a blend of mostly Zinfandel with 72%, Petit Sirah at 23% and in a supporting role, Carignan with 5%, maturation taking place 100% American oak for 14 months (25% new, 20% one year old and 55% four to five years old) and alcohol coming in at 14.5%.

This wine opened up with a sexy bouquet of blackberry-plumy fruit, raisins, grilled toast, cigar, incense and sweet, exotic spices. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, well structured by rich briary fruit, mild acidity and firm but not overbearing tannins. With an excellent depth of flavours on the finish, fine texture, soft seductive fruit and gentle oak spices lingering. This is my go to producer of great zin blend wines and in this vintage; Ridge Lytton Springs 2009 is especially delicious. Very enjoyable. Score 92 points.   

Purchased May 26, 2012 LCBO New Release (982413) at $46.95

Sivas Sonoma Old Vine Zinfandel 2009, Sonoma County, California, USA

This wine is a blend of 93% Zinfandel and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, maturation taking place in 80% American oak and 20% French oak with alcohol coming in at 14.9%.

This Zin opened up with a very fragrant bouquet of red cherry-wild berry fruit, cinnamon, allspice, vanilla, cedar and wood smoke aromas. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, ripe spicy fruit and slightly jammy, lively acidity and mild tannins. An interesting sweet and tart tug of war with crisp acidity, fine structure and a long staying power on the finish. This is a big wine, big alcohol and very comforting Zinfandel especially on these cold winter days (4 days in a row @ -30C with the windchill). Very good value and strongly recommended, score 89 points.

Purchased January 5, 2013 Vintages LCBO New Release (291096) at $18.95

Camus Vineyard Zinfandel 2009, Napa Valley, California, USA

 

This wine is mostly Zinfandel with a small amount of Petit Sirah, the wine lots were aged separately in a combination of French barrels over 70% of then seasoned rather than new, and finally alcohol comes in at 15.2%.

Wow what exquisite aromatics on this Zin with aromas of wild berries, blackberry jam, white pepper, cedar, savoury and vanilla notes. On the mouthfeel, full bodied, very rich and sensuous with good acidity and fleshy tannins. This wine’s finish is very long, slightly warm with a solid core of ripe fruit, spicy and sweet oak flavours. Lovers of Zinfandel are unlikely to be disappointed with this one; it has everything that people are looking for in a Zin. Lots of fruit and flavours? You bet. Low tannins? Yes. Big alcohol? Yes With all that, it still manages to be well balanced. Love the fruity and savoury personality of this Zinfandel, strongly recommended. Score 91 point.

Purchased October 15, 2012 at the SAQ (282459) AT $40.25

Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel 2010, Sonoma County, California, USA

This wine is 100% Zinfandel, maturation taking place in 75% American oak (10%) and 25% French oak (neutral) for 10 months with alcohol coming in at 14.8%.

What beautiful, sensuous aromatics on this Zin, with aromas of wild berry/blueberry fruit, tobacco, black pepper, smoky and exotic spices notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, savoury, spicy, bright forward ripe fruit, balance acidity and velvet tannins. Very good weight and length on the finish, layered by delicious forward fruit, raisins and pepper, slightly sweet with alcohol appearing at the end.  Again, awesome Zinfandel from Seghesio, almost as outstanding has their 2007 vintage. Strongly recommended, score 92 points.  

Purchased November 10, 2012 LCBO New Release (942151) at $29.95

Artezin Zinfandel 2010, Mendocino County, California, USA

In a blind tasting this wine would be easily recognizable as a Zinfandel, from its medium ruby colour, but don’t let that light colour fool you. The nose is very expressive with a rich and fruity mouthfeel and a explosive flavourful finish, classic Zin. This wine is a blend of mostly Zinfandel at 89% with Petite Sirah at 10% an Carignan at 1%, maturation took place in 100% French oak (second and third fill).

This wine opened up with aromas of ripe berries, plum, fresh herbs, black pepper, vanilla and cinnamon notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied with delicious forward fruit flavours, crisp acidity and silky tannins. This Zin finish is very long, spicy, fruit focused with light tannins and a bit of heat from the 14.9% alcohol. Just a beautiful and well made juicy red here with great purity of fruit and carefully restrained oak.

I don’t often have the words California and good value in the same sentence but Artezin Zinfandel 2010 certainly qualifies as a very good value. Strongly recommended, score 91 points.

Purchased September 29, 2012 LCBO New Release (302943) at $21.95.

Storybook Mountain Mayacamas Range Napa Estate Zinfandel 2009, Napa Valley, California, USA

Beautiful colour in this Zin, on the nose, this wine opens up with aromas of ripe berries, plum, red currants, figs, fruitcake, black pepper and savoury notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, even at 14.9% alcohol, this wine is well balanced by classic Zin ripe fruit, fresh acidity and smooth tannins. This is definitely a more restrained, less extracted, elegant style of Zinfandel. Is this a great wine? Yes, does it represent a good value? No, not in this market. I don’t feel like I am enjoying a $47.00 wine, it sells for $36.00 in the US which I feel is the appropriate price. Score 91 points. 

Purchased May 12, 2012 LCBO New Release (682989) at $46.95

Easton Zindandel 2010, Amador County, California, USA

It has been two years since I have seen Easton Amador County Zinfandel, I used to buy this wine in British Columbia (3 or 4 different vintage). I was quite happy to see this wine at the SAQ in Gatineau, Quebec.

This wine is from 40-60 old vines, planted on volcanic soil in the Sierra Foothills, maturation taking place in French oak for 10 months with alcohol coming in at 14.5%. 

This wine opens up with aromas of blackberry, black cherry/plum fruit, smoky, spicy and floral notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, with flavours of dark fruit, cedar, mocha, cinnamon, clove and white pepper spices, balance acidity and fine grained tannins. Very good depth of flavours on the creamy and elegant finish. 

For people who have not experienced Zinfandel in the past, this wine would be a good introduction to Zin. It may not be as big, rich and jammy as most, but for me, it works. In general, I prefer a more elegant, food friendly, less alcoholic (under 15%) style of Zin. This is a great all around Zin for summer entertaining and for the BBQ. For me, Easton Zindandel 2010, Amador County may not be as rich as previous vintage, but I find it to be very enjoyable, score 89 points.

Purchased June 30, 2012 at the SAQ (897132) AT $20.65

Ridge Three Valleys 2009, Sonoma County, California, USA

This wine is a blend of 70% Zinfandel, 15% Carignane, 10% Petit Sirah, 3% Gernache and 2% Mataro with alcohol coming in at a reasonable 14.1%. Not very flashy on the nose for a Zin, with aromas of blackberry/black cherry fruit, licorice, smoke, pencil shaving, tobacco and wood spices. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, dry, with lots of concentrated flavours, balanced acidity and dusty tannins. This wine finish is very long, very smooth with good texture and a lot of detail. I have been following Ridge Three Valleys for quite some time now, very interesting as always, seemingly different from year to year but they always seem to produce a more refined, tasty, savoury style Zin blend. It would certainly be interesting to sit at the same table and be part of the team that blend the final product. Very enjoyable, score 90 points.

Purchased March 3, 2012 LCBO New Release (652875) at $34.95

Ravenswood Old Vine Zinfandel 2009, Sonoma County, California, USA

Of the larger producers of Zinfandel, Ravenswood and Ridger are my favourite, their wines are more complex and balanced and with good use of blending. This Old Vine from Ravenswood is a good alue for money, a blend of 84% Zinfandel, 8% Petit Sirah, 6% Carignane and 2% Mixed Blacks with generous, but still well balanced alcohol at 14.5%.

This wine opened up with aromas of ripe berries, plum, cherry, white pepper and wood smoke. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, with a solid core of ripe fruit, rhubarb, fresh acidity and fine grainy tannins. This Zin finish was long with a good depth of flavours, fine tannins on a nice acidity lift. I love this kind of Zinfandel with ripe and rich fruit but not over done or jammy or to alcoholic. This is the third bottle which I opened and they have all been consistent. Strongly recommended, score 91 points.

Purchased May 12, 2012 LCBO New Release (673798) at $23.95    

Truchard Zinfandel 2008, Carneros, Napa Valley, California, USA

Wow, what a beautiful bouquet on this Zin, with aromas of blackberry, plum, wild berries, savoury spices, floral and herbal notes. On the mouthfeel, medium-full bodied, with generous alcohol at 15.3%, but well balanced by jammy ripe berries, crisp acidity and smooth tannins. The finish is long, enjoyable, with sweet seductive fruit and savoury flavours. A very elegant, savoury and tasty style of Zinfandel. Strongly recommended, score 90 points.

Purchased March 17, 2012 LCBO New Release (054858) at $25.95

    

Orin Swift The Prisoner 2009, Napa Valley, California, USA

This is one of those wines which became a luxury treat for me back when I was living in British Columbia. I simply have naught seen it for sale either in Ontario or Québec. A delicious blend here with Zinfandel at 51%, Cabernet Sauvignon at 19%, Syrah at 18%, Petit Sirah at 7%, Charbono (also know as Bonarda) at 3%, finally the Grenache and Malbec with 1% each. This wine opens up with sensuous aromas of blackberry, wild berries, plum, black currant, cedar, vanilla and sweet and savoury spices. On the mouthfeel, OMG, this wine is so smooth, well balanced with soft seductive ripe fruit, fine acidity and velvety tannins. A tasty, aromatic, savoury style red blend. Needless to say, very enjoyable and strongly recommended. Score 91 points.

Purchased April 2, 2011 BC Liquor Store at $ 49.99

Caymus Vineyards Zinfandel 2007, Napa Valley, California, USA

My first experience with Caymus Vineyards Zinfandel 2007 was at the Keg Restaurant in Toronto, Ontario, last May 2011. This is one of those fantastic pairings, great steak and juicy full bodied Zin. Now,  This wine was not available in Ontario from the LCBO, but living close to the Quebec border gives more choice and another market to shop in. I was lucky to find this wine in a special release in that province (Quebec).

The aromas are classic Zin,  blackberry jam, crush raspberries, peppery, fruit cake and cedar. A rich, sensuous and full bodied mouthfeel, generous alcohol at 15.5% but well balanced by sweet ripe fruit, surprisingly good acidity for a Napa Valley wine with chewy tannins. The finish is long, peppery and slightly drying tannins. The sign of a great wine is that each glass gets better and better. Gorgeous wine amd I will keep my last bottle of this vintage for next fall. I couldn't afford the more pricey, Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon, but for $40.00 I got to enjoy there great Zinfandel. Life is good.

This wine was purchased July 5, 2011 at the SAQ in Gatineau, Quebec.

Ridge Lytton Springs 2007, Dry Creek Valley - Sonoma County, California

This wine is a blend of 71% Zinfandel, 22% Petit Sirah and 7%Carignan, fermented with natural yeast and aged for fifteen months in American oak. Ridge sure know how to do blends and this wine has great aromatics; dark plums, blueberries, cassis and cedar. The palate is well structured with rich flavours, lively acidity and firm tannins. Long espresso finish wrapped in fine tannins. I really enjoy Ridge Zinfandel, they are never over the top jammy or alcohol. This wine has great flavours and class. This Zinfandel could age 2 to 4 years easy. Yummy

This wine was purchased on October 30, 2010, LCBO New Release at $44.95