Wine Reviews from Chuck Hill's Wines of the Week

The appearance of Zinfandel in California in the 1860s is both a controversy and a mystery. Hungarian expatriate Count Agoston Haraszthy (founder of Buena Vista Winery) was commissioned by the state to bring vines back from Europe in the 1860s. Some claim that the first Zinfandel was among his import of 350 grape varieties. All Zinfandel grown in the Northwest (see previous review article) originated in California and came north for planting.

Our reporting on Zinfandel to a national audience would be remiss if we did not include additional California bottlings that we tasted and enjoyed. Herewith:

Peachy Canyon Winery
2007 Zinfandel, Old School House
Paso Robles
$36.00

The Beckett family founded Peachy Canyon in 1988 and crafts fine wines from locally-grown fruit of several varietals. The wine offers aromas of blackberry and herbs with notes of cherry and toasty American oak. The palate is rich and flavorful with firm tannins that complement foods from the grill.

Sebastiani Vineyards
2007 Zinfandel
Dry Creek Valley
$24.00

Sebastiani boasts over a century of winemaking in Sonoma County and offers exceptional tourism opportunities throughout the year. The Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel shows spicy and peppery aromas with forward notes of raspberry, cassis and vanilla. Rich flavors on the palate include blackberry, black pepper and toasty oak. Nice with a rich steak, medium rare.

Seghesio Family Vineyards
2007 Zinfandel Home Ranch
Alexander Valley
$36.00

Edoardo Seghesio planted his Home Ranch Zinfandel in the Alexander Valley in 1895. Today, the winery offers visitors wine tasting, picnic grounds and bocce courts. Winemaker Ted Seghesio claimed 2007 to be, "the best vintage to date!" with his evaluation of this wine. The nose offers blackberry bramble, graham cracker, dark chocolate and vanilla. The juicy palate is rich with berry flavors, mocha and a toasty oak finish.

Terra d'Oro
2006 Zinfandel Deaver Vineyard
Amador County
$30.00

The California Gold Country is another area where one finds century-old Zinfandel vines being made into luscious, complex wines. The 14-acre piece of the Deaver Vineyard used to make Terra d'Oro Zinfandel was planted in 1881. The aroma of this unique wine comes forward with herbs and spices with cherry and raspberry fruit tingling in the background. The palate is rich and extracted with flavors of blackberry, vanilla, toasty oak and spicy herbs.

Ravenswood
2006 Zinfandel Old Vine
Sonoma County
$18.50

As with most Ravenswood Zins, this beauty has ample portions of Carignane and Petite Sirah blended in for complexity and body. Winemaker Joel Peterson's motto of "no wimpy wines!" is emphasized with lots of toasty oak and ripe fruit character. Look for aromas of raspberry and blackberry with a wrapping of vanilla and toasty cedar. The palate is long and chewy, crying out for grilled meats and boisterous company!

Bella Vineyards
2007 Zinfandel
Dry Creek Valley
$25.00

Bella Vineyards and Wine Caves was founded in the Dry Creek Valley by Scott and Lynn Adams in 1994. They craft mostly red wines from four vineyard sources. The Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel has a nose of ripe cherry, plum and baking spice followed by a palate with rich, spicy berry and cherry flavors. Not a heavy wine, but very refreshing with medium-weight meats from the grill. If you are grilling herbed chicken, try this one.

Cline Cellars
2007 Zinfandel
California
$12.00

Many have heard the story of Fred Cline's maternal grandfather - Valeriano Jacuzzi - yes, THAT Jacuzzi. Pumps and spas aside, put your lips to Fred's delicious and affordable California Zinfandel sourced from Lodi and East Bay vineyards. Black cherry and raspberry are both aroma and flavor of the wine with notes of vanilla and toasty oak. Great with grilled meats or for sipping in the spa.

Concannon Vineyard
2006 Zinfandel
Limited Release
Central Coast
$15.00

The founder of Concannon Vineyard, James Concannon, began making wines in the Livermore Valley in 1883. Today, his grandson Jim Concannon oversees the operation and production with winemaker Adam Richardson. This elegant Zinfandel offers the floral and herbal aromas to complement ripe notes of blackberry and plum. A complex palate calls out for your best efforts from the grill.

Dog House Wines
2005 Zinfandel
California
$10.00

This tail-waggin' selection offers good value and great flavor! Look for aromas of ripe black cherry, plum and berry with notes of vanilla and spice. The palate is juicy with cherry and berry flavors and a medium body that is a perfect accompaniment to burgers from the grill or pizza and pasta. Dog House Wines contributes to Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Barefoot Cellars
2007 Zinfandel
California
$7.00

So you're having an end-of-summer party, and you want to have plenty of juicy Zinfandel on hand to accompany burgers and brats from the grill. Seek out Barefoot Cellars Zinfandel for its ripe cherry and raspberry flavors and smooth structure and gentle finish. Fun folks, fun story, fun wine.

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Last revised: 09/21/2009