Price: $18.00 Maker: Rosenblum Varietal: Zinfandel Region: California

91

Rosenblum makes multiple Zinfandels every year highlighting different styles and regions. This is a great Zinfandel for less then $20. The nose carries a vanilla aroma with a little pepper and earthy under tones. The body of the wine is full with flavors of black cherry, cloves and a nice hint of spice. When shopping for this wine make sure you grab the right bottle Rosenblum currently has over 10 Zinfandels varying in price starting in the teens to over $50. -K.M.

Price: $16.99 Maker: Steelhead Varietal: Zinfandel Region: California

90

This is a great Zinfandel that retails for less then $20 a bottle. The nose brings a full bouquet of flavors; the body is full and smooth across the palate with flavors of dark cherry and blackberry.

Steelhead wines have made a commitment to restoring the Steelhead Salmon habitat on their vineyard and are the official wine of Trout Unlimited. A portion of every sale is donated to Trout Unlimited. -K.M.

Price: $20.99 Maker: Simi Varietal: Zinfandel Region: California

89

A nice soft, easy to drink Zinfandel that's lighter then usual. It has well balanced tannins with flavors of blackberries, black cherry and nice hint of oak. -VFE

Price: $23.00 Maker: Plungerhead Varietal: Zinfandel Region: California

88

The Old Vine Zinfandel is a deep purple color with dark fruit aromas. It’s a nice Zinfandel with light flavors of black cherry, plums, pepper and a little strawberry. The lighter flavors are a nice change from the fruit bombs that are often produced in this area. It opens up nicely but even after some time to breathe the wine is still hot on the finish. -KM

Price: $20.00 Maker: Edmeades Varietal: Zinfandel Region: California

87

The Mendocino County Zinfandel from Edmeades has a strong black pepper undertone that screams for a grilled steak. Aromas of dark fruits, blackberry and black cherry can be found on the nose. There is a wonderful mix of berries and dark fruit flavors with black cherry leading the way. -VFE

Price: $15.99 Maker: Bogle Varietal: Zinfandel Region: California

86

This Zin is full of flavors; it smacks you with cherries to start and finishes with strawberries, blackberries and a hint of cloves. The overall body of the wine is medium with a light finish. -K.M.

Price: $18.00 Maker: Paso Creek Varietal: Zinfandel Region: California

86

The Paso Creek Zinfandel is a deep purple color with brief aromas of black cherry, plum and vanilla. On the palate, the wine presents dark chocolate, black cherry, strawberry and pepper. This is a full bodied wine with a smooth finish that brings a hint of vanilla. -K.M.

Price: $7.99 Maker: Barefoot Varietal: Zinfandel Region: California

86

This is an off-dry Zinfandel from Barefoot Cellars. The nose of the wine has a strawberry candy aroma that leads into a full bodied wine with cherry and strawberry flavors that reminds us of pie fillings. -VFE

Price: $16.00 Maker: XYZin Varietal: Zinfandel Region: California

85

The wine is a nice dark red purple color; the nose is a little surprising with hints of clove and mocha. The flavors are subtle for a CA Zinfandel; the body is medium with raspberry, pomegranate and strawberries coming through with a hint of white pepper. If you are looking for a sweet CA fruit bomb you will be disappointed.-K.M.

Price: $30.00 Maker: Edmeades Varietal: Zinfandel Region: California

85

The Edmeades Zinfandel from Perli vineyards is one of multiple Zinfandels from this producer that is dedicated to producing Zinfandel. This bottle is blended with 14% Merlot and 9.5% Syrah. The blending of these grapes smoothes the body of wine; letting the flavors of strawberry and black pepper gently roll across your tongue. The wine is very drinkable but missing the jammy flavors most people expect in a California Zinfandel. -VFE