Lets take a closer look at both red and white zinfandel wine and learn the secrets to picking out your favorite styles. The vineyard is certified organic and grown without the use of chemical fertilizer, pesticides or herbicides. Brick red and deep purple in the glass, a bit of sweetness with a structured palate. Although mostly known for their production of cabernet sauvignon, the zinfandel is a favorite of caymus charlie wagner. I am always excited to taste through a new crop of zinfandel. These wines made the cut because they rose to the top on the day i tasted them.
Lighter zinfandel wines tend to be bright, fruitforward wines with flavors of cherry, plum, or blackberry. A richly layered palate exhibits brambly flavors of black raspberry and cassis with a hint of soft spice. After tasting thousands of wines, we cant wait to share these 20 superstars. Though much of todays zinfandel harvest goes to produce sweet and insipid jug roses, more and more oenophiles have come to appreciate zinfandels big, peppery, fullbodied red wines that stand with the worlds best. This fullbodied zinfandel has beautiful aromas of pink peppercorn, anise and black fruit. For the 2015 best of sonoma lists we surveyed hundreds of local vintners asking for their inside perspective of the best wines, tasting rooms, and restaurants in sonoma.
Mar 31, 2015 zinfandel is also a quintessential american success story. Zinfandel is a dry red wine, though typically forward in fruit. The zinfandel is produced from grapes selected from quality vineyards in sonoma county. Zinfandel produces powerful, spicy reds with forward raspberry and pepper notes. The zinfandel grapecurrently producing big, rich, luscious styles of red winehas a large, loyal, even fanatical following in california and around the world. Zinfandel the grape variety behind the boldest of californian reds is surely the ultimate american wine grape aside from it actually being from the dalmatian coast of croatia. Ravenswood vintners blend zinfandel 2015 from california this zin is a robust red, brimming with mouthwatering flavors of spicy ripe raspberry, cherry, and boysenberry. Year in and year out, these wines are some of my favorite wines coming from california. Dec 05, 2017 although i try to blog about all the wines i taste it is clear that zinfandel is definitely my grape of choice. Although i try to blog about all the wines i taste it is clear that zinfandel is definitely my grape of choice. This yields aromas of berry and cherry mingled with a bouquet of creamy vanilla custard and a hint of peppercorn and clove.
The vintage continued drought in 2015 exacerbated dwindling crop yields. Cosentino the zin 2015 from lodi, california bold notes of raspberry and clove follow flavors of cranberry on the palate. Chateau montelena was one of our very favorite chardonnays before the judgement. The unique tallhead trained vines are planted in a wild. Zinfandel wine grapes, flavor, character, history, wine. Use our site and app try zinfandel or another great wine. But that is not the conclusion reached by the research team at uc davis when it comes to origin of zinfandel. A history of a grape and its wine california studies in food and culture charles l. The napa valley has many microclimates, so the range of zinfandel styles varies greatly within this ava, from restrained fruit characteristics to jammy fruit bombs. A deep ruby color in the glass, our 2015 rue vineyard zinfandel offers dark aromas of black cherry with savory notes of tobacco leaf.
Its origins have been hotly disputed for years and until recently zinfandel. Obamas favorite book of 2015 is by lauren groff, but whats hers. Zinfandel wine grapes, flavor, character, history, wine food pairing zinfandel wine is considered by many wine lovers to be as american as baseball, apple pie, motown, jazz and the blues. President obama has shared his favorite book of 2015. Famous bibliophile barack obama has chosen fates and furies, lauren groffs story of a marriage told from both sides, as his favourite book. Foundedin 1883, wente vineyardsis the countrys oldestcontinuously operated familyowned winery. This classic zinfandel offers strong flavors of raspberries, cherries, licorice, spices and black pepper.
Warren buffett reutersrick wilking when warren buffett started his investing career, he would read 600, 750, or 1,000 pages a day. The novel follows a young married couple who seem to have it all in the eyes of their friends, but struggle to keep it together behind closed doors. Im afraid im one of those people who largely has left it, though i once loved it. Former president barack obama on saturday continued his tradition of sharing his annual lists of favorites, starting with a rundown of books that made the past year a little brighter for me. Zinfandel accolades for zinfandel epoch estate wines. The wine is boldly fruitforward, with a raspberry jamlike aroma, consistent with zinfandel from cooler regions of the state as compared to zinfandel. It can be used to make sweet blush wines known as white. A full list of bill gates favorite books in 2019and from. A coolclimate zinfandel with a cool tawny color in the glass.
This years edition of the concierge is dedicated to the memory of longtime npr book critic alan cheuse produced by nicole cohen, rose friedman, petra mayer and beth novey designed by annette elizabeth allen, david eads, becky lettenberger and wes lindamood published dec. Fun fact you can clearly tell by the amount of times i say it in this video that its supposed to be my top 15 of 2015, but theres only 14 books in this video because i cant do math trololololol. Zinfandel is a wine that makes no apologies for its exuberant fruit. Jan 30, 2015 2015 zinfandel experience media tasting top 20 favorites posted by martin d. In the case of wine, that means dry and semidry white wines with a good acidity. Make sure you rate them and check the list every week. The main sources of this zinfandel, the bruella and fathom vineyards, are home to vines over forty years old. In that year, the average price of a 750milliliter. Gold medal 2018 san francisco chronicle wine competition. New york times 100 notable books of 20 fiction and nonfiction, new york times 100 notable books of 2010 fiction and nonfiction, ny tim. It arrived in the americas from europe in the early. These are the 10 best zinfandel wines you can buy right.
Silver medal 91 points 2018 new york international wine competition. For the university of california and sothebys book of california wine, paul draper, winemaker at ridge. However, due to the way the french label their wines. Zinfandel cookbook, food to go with californias heritage. Generally speaking, most zinfandel wines have higher alcohol levels ranging from about 14 17% abv. The lodi zinfandel revolution continues vinography.
Owned and managed today by the fourth and fifth generations of the. On the palate, it continues to be a lively wine great acidity being one of the best attributes of the russian river valley, with loads of. This block of zinfandel was planted on our estate in 2007 from cuttings off an old, local zinfandel clone known as rockpile clone or cloverdale church clone. Quiviras terroir, farmed continuously for 35 years, combines spiciness and bright, red fruit in the unique signature of dry creek valley. Our zinfandel is fullbodied with a long smooth berry flavored finish. These are the top 2 californian zinfandel wines as rated by vivino users. Storybook mountain vineyards napa estate mayacamas range zinfandel, napa valley, usa. I want to get inside the head of every creature in the world, even ants. Even now, he still spends about 80% of his day reading.
Oct 22, 20 guide to zinfandel wine and how to find great quality. Storybook mountain 20 napa valley mayacamas range zinfandel. Zinfandel primitivo di goia, crljenak kasteljanski, pribidrag, tribidrag zinfandel is a variety with a most confusing history and lineage. The grapes are of croatian origin, which are now indigenous to california. Silver medal, grand champion zinfandel, judges choice award 2018 veterans alcoholic beverage competition.
A perennial favorite, even if it is creeping up in price. Theyre perfect to share with friends, a good book, a great meal or a favorite. Eventually, making its way to california around the gold rush of 1849, zinfandel found its new home, parading the true american spirit. The ripened fruit converted to produce a fullbodied wine with wellbalanced tannins. Her morose protagonists drink too much wine as they fret about. One of my favorite zins out there, the 2012 zinfandel is another stunner that offers. We followed up with redemption featuring dry creek valley zinfandel in 2001 and in 2004 produced a completely different style of wine using a blend of our three favorite regions of zinfandel. When i first got into wine, i loved the carefree jubilation that spilled out of every bottle of zinfandel i opened.
Through meticulous research, sullivan demonstrates that the zinfandel. Zinfandel or zin, as it is affectionately known in the united states is a darkskinned red wine grape variety widely. Here you will find all the varietal character and fruit for which zinfandel is famous, plus the depth and structure associated with napa hillside vineyards, and the. Containing a splash of grenache 3%, the 2015 zinfandel has a deep.
Dec 08, 2015 although i try to blog about all the wines i taste it is clear that zinfandel is definitely my grape of choice. Learn about the characteristics of this wine to find a favorite. We followed up with redemption featuring dry creek valley zinfandel in 2001 and in 2004 produced a completely different style of wine using a blend of our three favorite regions of zinfandel for temptation. Top 10 zinfandels tasted in 2015 zinfandel chronicles. Notes of dark plum, blackberry, sweet spice, dark chocolate and licorice are common. According to amazon, from harper lee comes a landmark new novel set two decades after her beloved pulitzer. As i became entranced with wine as a graduate student in the early 1980s, zinfandel was one of my favorites. Clicking cancel or dismissing this will revert the shipping state change and maintain current cart contents. Our favorite joy of cooking pairings for this wine include pulled pork with north carolina style barbecue sauce, lamb ragu or fromage fort. Dec 12, 2019 the artezin dry creek valley zinfandel. Fans buy a whopping 10 million cases annually, but the wine has always had an image.
Artezin dry creek valley zinfandel zin at its best. It was an unknown that came from somewhere else, went through multiple changes and finally became a successamericas first. Nprs book concierge our guide to 2015 s great reads. However, although a lightbodied red wine like pinot noir. The wine is boldly fruitforward, with a raspberry jamlike aroma, consistent with zinfandel from cooler regions of the state as compared to zinfandel of the warmer regions, which produce a wine. Here are five fascinating facts about this expressive, personalitypacked variety zinfandel may be the most versatile grape variety of them all.
Frank family 2017 zinfandel, napa valley brix26 wines. Smoking loon the original old vine zinfandel, california, usa. However, although a lightbodied red wine like pinot noir, zins moderate tannin and high acidity make it taste bold. Zinfandel wine is considered to be the emblem of great californian wine. Bill gates favorite book recommendations offer quite an eclectic mix. Top 10 zinfandels tasted in 2017 zinfandel chronicles. Through meticulous research, sullivan demonstrates that the zinfandel grape came to california. Frank family zinfandel always sells out in a matter of months so order now to try one of our favorite napa valley zins. Sue fox zinfandel is famous for the wide variety of wines it is capable of producing. Zinfandel or zin, as it is affectionately known in the united states is a darkskinned red wine grape variety widely cultivated in california. Fuller zinfandel wines are bold, with spice, pepper, and smoke flavors throughout the ripe, jamlike, fruit flavors.
Guide to zinfandel wine and how to find great quality wine. Frank family vineyards napa valley zinfandel is dense, dark scarlet to the eye. Click ok to proceed with shipping state change and eliminate nonavailable items from the cart. Planted in over 10 percent of all californian vineyards, the zinfandel grape is. Lets offer some love for the kim kardashian of wines. Of the books youve written, which is your favorite or the most personally meaningful. Since were all about getting a great deal, in addition to todays saturday splurge on a fantastic zin from dcv you may also want to check out. It shows a fresh nose of black and red fruits, with a smoky, tarry note and. Barack obama lists his favorite books of 2019 cnnpolitics. Zinfandel is also a quintessential american success story. Dry creek valley dcv is one of our favorite spots for zinfandel, but its not necessarily a place where you routinely find amazing value on this variety. I read a lot, but i dont always choose whats on the bestseller list, according to the billionaire and microsoft cofounder. Some of our alltime favorites are easydrinking, fruity reds. Zinfandel cookbook, food to go with californias heritage wine nix, jan, smith, margaret on.
Zinfandel is lighter in color than both cabernet sauvignon and merlot. Depending how zinfandel is produced, it can be light or mediumbodied. Zinfandel is a popular grape in california, although it appears to have originated in croatia, where it is known as crljenak kastelanski, and southern italy, where it is known as primitivo. The link for each wine will take you to the detailed bottle note on zinfandel chronicles. The dusty, firm tannins and coating mouthfeel lead to a lingering finish.
Obamas favourite book of 2015 is also no 1 with fellow americans. Guide to zinfandel wine and how to find great quality. These are the 10 best zinfandel wines you can buy right now by pierreroustan. Yes, its considered an economical buy every grocery store. Wine is an important of many weddings, so its no surprise that with just a few months to go before the next royal wedding, folks are wondering exactly what meghan markles favorite kinds of. A beginners guide to zinfandel sarah on april 11, 2014 0 comments because of its almost exclusive production within the united states, zinfandel is one of very few wines that are. Sonomas must try zinfandels 2015 best of sonoma intowine. Zinfandel, characterized by its rich flavor and dark red color, is the most expensive type of wine in the united states according to 2015 data. The grape, grown predominantly in california, has acquired an almost mythic statusin part because of the caliber of its wines. Both barack and michelle obamas favorite books of 2015 were complex portraits of marriage.
Barack obamas favorite book of 2015 was lauren groffs fates and. The link for each wine will take you to the detailed bottle note on zinfandel. It was an unknown that came from somewhere else, went through multiple changes and finally became a successamericas first success. With that in mind here are my top 10 zinfandels of 2017 and my rating for each. Its a variety that doesnt always get its due but if bbq is your thing this is the wine you want to have on your table. Zinfandel is a wine truly made famous by california. An overview of french white wines france is the origin place of many of the worlds most popular white wines including chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, and chenin blanc. With lively cranberry fruit, this wine smells like the essence of zinfandel. Aged for 15 months in neutral oak barrels to soften the structure. The wines featured here are mostly from our monthly newsletter based off of our critics wine picks, print issues and web exclusiveonly wine features. With that in mind here are my top 10 zinfandels of 2015. Pair with spiced lamb chops and a balsamicfigbasil sauce. Zin, as it is affectionately known in the usa, arrived in the. The rating systems of these two prolific publications have for many become the benchmark of quality in the wine industry.