Federalist Vineyards Lodi Zinfandel 2014 Lodi, California

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Fruity nose of cherries, strawberry jam, blueberries, tobacco, spices, light barnyard, wood, cloves, cola and black pepper.

Full bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with cherries, sweet raspberries, blueberries, wood, light vanilla, tobacco, light earth and peppercorn.

Nice length on the finish with very soft tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 4 year old Zinfandel is still very fruity. Well balanced with a smooth mouthfeel, but not very complex.

Good right out of the bottle and doesn’t change much with air time.

Good by itself or with food. I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats, cheeses, dried fruits and crackers.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

87 Points.

$15.

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Ingelnook Vineyards Napa Valley Zinfandel 1977, California

A beautiful color of ruby with a wide brick/ orange rim.

Still very fruity on the nose with blackberries, blueberries, sweet cherries, figs, spices, cedar, vanilla, earth, leather, licorice, eucalyptus, pencil lead, black olives, dark chocolates, coffee, coke, spices and black pepper. What a great nose.

Medium plus in body, and elegant, with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, oak, vanilla, earth, licorice, cloves, herbs, wet leaves, vinaigrette, vegetables, dark chocolates, graphites, dark coffee, Indian spices and black pepper.

Medium plus on the finish with very little tannins and tangy strawberries.

This is a great experience. A very interesting Zinfandel from an iconic Winery in Napa Valley. Well balanced and enjoyable by itself or with food.

This 41 year old is still showing lots of fruits with great complexity. Very gentle and soft on the palate. Great mouthfeel.

Good right out of the bottle and died after 2.5 hours of airtime, so drink up. Soft tannins came out after 2 hours of airtime.

13% (unbelievable) alcohol by volume.

93 points.

Seghesio Family Vineyards Sonoma County Zinfandel 2015, California

Deep purple in color with a wide purplish rim.

Fruity nose of blackberries, sweet cherries, black currants, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, herbs, spices, dark chocolates, coffee, peppercorn and pencil lead.

Full bodied and bold with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and extremely fruity on the palate with sweet cherries, plums, black currants, coffee, oak, cloves, light alcohol, earth, spices, peppercorn, tobacco and herbs.

Medium plus on the finish with soft tannins and tangy cranberries.

This Sonoma Zinfandel is always enjoyable. Drinking nicely now and will be better in the next few years.

Spicy and bold with mild complexity. Still very fruity, and needs a few years in the bottle to chill out.

Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up.

14.8% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$20.

Ancient Peaks Winery Santa Margarita Ranch Vineyard Zinfandel 2016 Paso Robles, California

Dark purple in color with a wide reddish rim.

Fruity nose of blackberries, blueberries, cherries, licorice, oak, vanilla, wildflowers, alcohol, spices, chocolates, mocha, coffee, peppercorn, earth, black tea and light vegetables.

Full bodied and bold with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and extremely fruity on the palate with blackberries, black cherries, sweet spice box, vanilla, licorice, cloves, herbs, wood and peppercorn.

Medium plus on the finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a nice surprise. A great Zinfandel from Paso Robles, California. Very fruity and nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel. Not too complex, but very enjoyable.

This Single Vineyard Zinfandel is good right out of the bottle, and better as it opens up (90 minutes). Easy drinking and enjoyable by itself or with food and would pair very well with a burger.

I paired it with light appetizers and good friends.

15.5% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$21.

The Prisoner Wine Company Saldo 2016, California 88

Ruby in color with a wide reddish rim. A Pretty color.

Fruity nose of blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked strawberries, spices, pencil lead, oak, black olives, vanilla, licorice, cloves and black pepper.

Full-bodied and bold with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and extremely fruity on the palate with blackberries, cooked cherries, dried figs, chocolates, licorice, cloves, spices, oak, vanilla and peppercorn.

Medium plus in length on the finish with firm tannins (after 45 minutes) and tangy cranberries.

This Zinfandel from California is always enjoyable. Big and bold, and a good party wine. Very fruity and spicy with mild complexity and a great mouthfeel.

Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up and shows some tannins.

Might be too sweet for some.

15.9% alcohol by volume.

88 points.

$25.

OZV Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel 2015, California

Dark ruby in color with a reddish rim.

Extremely fruity on the nose with blackberries, black plums, cooked cherries, oak, licorice, vanilla, chocolates, coffee, cola, spices and black pepper.

Full bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry to off dry on the palate with sweet plums, blackcurrants, sweet raspberries, blackberries, cherry jam, oak, vanilla, licorice, spices, cloves, chocolates, coffee, mocha, tobacco, light earth and peppercorn.

Medium plus on the finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very enjoyable Zinfandel from Lodi, California. Well balanced and very fruity. Simple and spicy with lots of chocolate notes.

Good for everyday, good right out of the bottle and good for parties.

Good by itself or with food like a nice burger with fries.

Probably has some residual sugar, so might be too sweet for some.

13.95% alcohol by volume.

88 points.

$12.

Mount Bullion Vineyards Casto Oaks Zinfandel Port 2015 Sierra Foothills, California

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Fruity nose of mint, cherries, blueberries, dried figs, raisins, spices, eucalyptus, cloves, coffee, chocolates, tobacco, peppermint, licorice and black pepper.

Full-bodied with high acidity and great legs.

Sweet on the palate with blueberries, sweet cherries, black currants, spices, licorice, oak, mint, earth, leather, pencil lead and peppercorn.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a nice surprise. A great Vintage Port, made out of Zinfandel grapes from California.

Well-balanced with nice complexity and a great mouthfeel. Feels like a red Zinfandel, but sweet. Good all by itself, as a dessert.

Good right out of the bottle and better after 30 minutes of airtime, when nice tannins come in to play. I really enjoyed the tannins and the mouthfeel on this port. Very unique.

I paired it with sweet desserts.

Aged for 18 months in neutral American oak barrels.

18% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$19.