brvino Wine Tasting #10 - Zinfandel

This is a more “serious” tasting, first this year for us. It was dedicated to Zinfandel and we want to showcase what it is capable of doing in California. We included one White Zin because it is still a super important part of history for both the grape and American wine in general. Plus, it is affordable and for some people could in fact be an easier entry point. Then, we had a “red blend” with high proportion of Zinfandel. Lastly, two varietals labelled Zinfandels: one from the coast and one from the Central Valley. Both old vines, yet very affordable.

• NV Sutter Home Winery White Zinfandel California 79 Points

  USA, California

  The OG White Zin! I just had to try it.
  Weak nose with surprisingly white fruit. Pear and white peach. Barberry candy. Honeysuckle. A little bit of cheese, surprisingly!
  On the palate, it’s medium sweet with quite a bit of bitter flavour. Juicy red apple and some strawberry here.
  The finish is medium-.
  6/18, I don’t mind it to be honest, I expected worse.

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• 2022 Josh Cellars Legacy 75 Points

  USA, California

  Smells of plum, blackberry, and, surprisingly, peach. Jam, chocolate, and smoke. I don’t find this pleasant: it’s ripe and disharmonious.
  On the palate, there is a touch of RS yet it’s very tart with medium+ acidity and bruised fruit notes. Wood, bruised blackberry and blueberry. Bay leaf maybe.
  5/18 I really don’t like this. It keeps reminding me of fruit that has spent too long in the fridge.

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• 2021 St. Francis Zinfandel Old Vines Sonoma County 87 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  Concentrated and focused nose of blueberry, blackberry, and spice: thyme and fennel seed. Some vanilla.
  On the palate, it’s rustic with a lot of saw-dust tannin and medium+ acidity. Full body. Fully dry. Cedar, fennel, and dark chocolate. Blackberry liqueur.
  Medium finish.
  8/18, I think I would like some age on it, acid will carry it through.

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• 2022 Predator Old Vine Zinfandel 87 Points

  USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi

  Ok, well this is still a favourite.
  Cherry, black currant jam. Black pepper. Powerful vanilla and dill, I’m surprised this is mostly French oak. Very pronounced dried meat.
  The palate is slightly sweet with medium acidity and tannin, but the wine is still surprisingly even a little thin. Red cherry, blackberry, tart cherry. Jamon and olive brine.
  8/18 I’m not in love with this vintage but it’s still good.

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This was fun and quite educational. I was pleasantly surprised by Sutter Home’s White Zinfandel. It’s not super complex but it’s quite pleasant. On the contrary, I was very disappointed by the Josh “Legacy” Red Blend which seemed unbalanced and had distinct unpleasant flavours. St. Francis and Predator made for a very interesting comparison but this vintage of Predator underperformed in my eyes. It didn’t quite have the jamminess for which I love it and instead had surprising meat notes.