Zinfandelic
News & Press

92 Points, Best Buy

Wine Enthusiast, October 2024
"This wine is lush, with aromas of boysenberry, blueberry, violet, coriander and vanilla spice on the nose. The flavors on the palate are strawberry preserve, raspberry coulis, Key lime cream and fresh spearmint, interwoven with mocha, dried herbs and a dry, supple finish. Pair with grilled venison with polenta."
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93 Points, Gold Medal

Winemaker Challenge, 2024
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94 Points, Platinum Medal - Best of Show Zinfandel

Sommelier Challenge, 2022
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90 Points, Best Buy

Wine Enthusiast Magazine, February 2023
Full of flavor and generous without being overbearing, this well-balanced Zin gives notes of black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, nutmeg, vanilla, cocoa, fresh-cut cedar wood, potpourri and black pepper spice. Grippy tannins coat the palate while acidity adds a line of freshness throughout. Flavors persist with a fairly long, warm finish.
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92 Points

"...Does a great job at getting at true regional character, showing brambly fruit, pepper and fall spice notes over supple tannic structure and carrying through a long finish that’s well integrated and has enough stuffing to cut through gourmet burgers or well-marbled steaks."
Rich Cook, Wine Review Online, September 2022
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90 Points, Gold Medal

Beverage Testing Institute, 2022
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90 Points

- Wilfred Wong, August 2022
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93 points - Gold Medal

- Sommelier Challenge, 2023
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90 points

"The 2021 Zinfandelic (Lodi) Zinfandel is firm and layered on the palate. This wine offers aromas and flavors of bold berries that stay long in the finish."
- Wilfred Wong, June 2023
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90 points, Gold Medal

- Critics Challenge, 2023
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89 points

- Wine Enthusiast, November 2023

90 points

"This wine shows dark berry and bramble aromas, rich and complex fruit, black pepper and sage flavors and a smooth, lightly tannic texture. It offers wonderful aromas, nice concentration and a lingering finish.""
- Wine Enthusiast Magazine
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90 points, Gold Medal

- Sommelier Challenge
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93 Points, Gold Medal

- Sommelier Challenge, 2019
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91 Points

"With a label that reminds us of the Cow Palace’s rock concert posters from the 1960s, this sumptuous red comes through with a surge of flavor. The black and blue fruit are showy and sweetened by their inherent ripeness. Acidity is bright and tannins are plush. Crafted from some vines that go back to the 19th century, this is truly a nod to the love power from its psychedelic era design."
- Meridith May, The Tasting Panel
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90 Points, Editors' Choice

"A classic structure and good depth of flavor bring rich fruit and an appetizing texture to the fore in this full-bodied wine. Hints of vanilla and cedar lead to ripe black-cherry and plum flavors, while light, peppery, earthy accents keep it interesting"
- Wine Enthusiast Magazine, February 2020
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94 Points, Platinum Medal

- Critics Challenge, 2018
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92 Points, Gold Medal

- OC Wine Society, 2018

89 Points, Strong Recommendation

"The nose is of juicy strawberries sprinkled with cayenne pepper. A pleasant note of red cherry and a slight minty character comes through on the palate adding complexity and lightness. A great wine for a BBQ."
- Ultimate Wine Challenge, 2018

91 Points

This big but plush wine is deep in color, rich in blackberry aromas and saturated with ripe jammy flavors that spread across the palate and cling to the sides of the mouth. It is full bodied, very concentrated and has a ripeness that leaves a fruity sensation on the finish.
- Wine Enthusiast, 2018
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89 Points, Silver Medal, Highly Recommended

"Bright black violet color. Aromas and flavors of grilled berries, polished furniture, patent leather, green bell pepper, and green peppercorn with a chewy, vibrant, dryish medium-to-full body and an intriguing, medium-length dried mint finish with harsh tannins and moderate oak. A big, zesty Zinfandel; give this one some time to open up."
- Beverage Testing Institute, November 2017

92 Points, Gold Medal, Best Buy

"Garnet color. Rich aromas or raspberry compote, vanilla nut fudge, and a mint with a supple, fruity medium-to-full body and a juicy, cherry tart, peppery spice, and cedar finish. A fun, flavorful, and very well balanced zin for all occasions."
- Beverage Testing Institute, May 2014
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Gold Medal

- American Wine Society Commercial Wine Competition, 2013

90 Points, Excellent

"Red licorice, fruitcake, and spice aromas create an invitingly bombastic nose. In true zinfandel form, there are lush, juicy flavors of raisins, loganberries, and walnut throughout the palate that are emboldened by a hint of baking spice. Plush and friendly with a purpose. Highly Recommended."
- Ultimate Wine Challenge, 2014

90 Points

"Medium red, garnet color; ripe, red berry fruit aroma, sharp and bright; raspberry flavors, zippy and alive; pleasing aftertaste. Smooth, fresh and easy-to-enjoy. Delicious now."
- Wilfred Wong, March 2015

89 Points, Very Good, Strong Recommendation

"Red brick/garnet color. Raspberry jam, boysenberry aromas are ripe, earthy, jammy, fresh, spicy. Taste profile features the drier, tarter side of the berry fruit as the flavor comes off tannic, bittersweet, slightly tight. Finishes medium long, tobacco-like, leafy."
- Ultimate Wine Challenge, 2014

Silver Medal

- Winemaker Challenge, 2014