Zinfandel Makers

Summers Winery The 2001 was a delightfully smooth $30 bottle of wine. Needed very little time to breathe, so it was good for quick entertaining. Simple, light, enjoyable.

Rosenblum Cellars This is the 800-pound gorilla of the smooth Zinfandel world. On their site you will find no fewer than 13 Zinfandels. My favorite Zinfandel is, without question, the Rosenblum Maggie's Reserve, which I think is the best bottle of wine you can get for less than $100. They make a few dozen other Zinfandels, and it's worth exploring most of them. A friend of mine who came to my place for dinner and tasted the Rosenblum Monte Rosso (which I usually serve with meals, as I enjoy the Maggie's just on its own) simply took $500 out of his wallet and said "Have them send me as much of this wine as this money will buy." And I did. Believe it or not, my third choice is the $13 Richard Sauret, easily the best under-$25 bottle of wine I’ve ever tasted. I get a case a year and have it around to give as a gift or open on short notice. The Rockpile, a wonderful every-day wine, is my fourth choice. The others are really worth exploring and each has its own unique characteristics.

JC Cellars Jeff Cohn, who is also the winemaker for Rosenblum, is on the cutting edge of new wine. Jeff is famous for bringing out the “blackberry pie filling in a cinnamon crust” flavors in his wines. I suggest you simply try some of his wines and see what you think. His wines are very sophisticated. As good as they are, you need to be patient with them. Always give Jeff’s wines an hour in the glass before drinking (unless they are already 8 years old)!

Sineann This lovely small winery in Oregon produces small amounts of wines with great character. Their Old Vines Zinfandel is always in demand and usually sells out quickly.

Bella Winery Another leading-edge vineyard bringing strong berry flavors forward on a velvety finish. Their Lily Hill Zinfandel will impress your friends and please your palate. I’m excited to try their other Zinfandels – good people making a great product.

D Cubed Cellars It’s hard to beat Duane Dappen for Zinfandel enthusiasm! You’ll learn a lot on his informative site. Try some of his wines and let me know what you think – I don’t have much experience but he’s on my list of winemakers to get to know better.

Comments

[Billy Thompson]

I have tasted the Sauret and was favorably impressed. I will be tasting the Rockpile this weekend. However, I would suggest that you try the Seghesio Old Vine, Cortina, Sonoma and San Lorenzo which are fruit forward with a finish of honey and spice while each has its own nuiances. Another of my favorites is from sonoma county made by Tim and Jane Portalupi. This Zin is bold and fruity with very smooth tannins and spice and delightful. Ridge has a very nice Paso Robles Zin much like the Rombauer only the Rombauer is sweet enough to almost be a desert wine. The Rombauer and Ridge need time after opening or one might think they are too sweet. Anyway, just some thoughts from a newbie Zinofile.