2006 Terra d' Oro Home Vineyard Zinfandel 92 points

Terra d' Oro 2006 Home Vineyard Zinfandel $25



Intense and spicy on the nose with a palate that leads to black plum, currant, cassis and spicy cedar. Pepper and rich mocha run throughout with a broad finish. The finish lasts long with undertones of cracked black pepper and leather.

2006 Pellegrini Eight Cousins Vineyard 92 points

Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, $24


A truly outstanding Zin that shows all of it's noble character; With a beautiful palate of blackberry, black cherry, mocha and spicy cedar. This red is dry and full-bodied with a tannic edge. The finish is balanced and restrained with undertones of black pepper and pipe tobacco, drink now thru 2012.

2006 Karly Buck's Ten Point 91 points

Zinfandel, Amador County, $20



It's been awhile since I've rating a zin and this one is very tasty; Elegant flavors of black raspberry, currant, cinnamon and Asian spices lightly dance on the palate. This Zin is expertly layered with a finish that has all the spicy earthen flavors Zin's are know for.

2006 Wine Guerrilla Coffaro Vineyards Old Vine 90 points

Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley, $25



This is one big, juicy, tannic Zin; Black raspberry, blueberry, currant and spice fill the palate of this dry red wine. With a bracing finish of leather, vanilla and white pepper, drink now only 98 cases produced.

2005 Paul Dolan Zinfandel 91 points

Zinfandel, Mendocino-Amador, $18

This is big, mouthfilling Zin. The palate is broad with Bing cherries, black raspberries, cocoa and leather. Perfectly balanced tannins with a finish of fresh tobacco, pepper and smokey vanilla, drink now thru 2010.

2006 Easton Zinfandel 91 points

Zinfandel, Amador County, $15

Starts with a beautiful aroma that's dramatically chocolaty and dark fruit. On the palate you find layers of black cherries, black raspberries, and oak. Lush, creamy, and dry mouth feel finish off this spicy Zin, Great Job! Drink now thru 2010.

2005 Rutherford Ranch Zinfandel 91 points

Zinfandel, Napa Valley, $17

Big and rich, this is why I like Zinfandel and impressive for a Napa Valley. Raspberry, blueberries, cinnamon and crushed black pepper, with a completely dry mouth feel. Vanilla and smoke round out with soft easy tannins. Drink now.

2005 Balletto Zinfandel 89 points

Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, $15


I like this wine, It's spicy bright on the nose, with hints of raspberry and plum.
The palate brings dark berries framed by toasty oak with coffee, tar, black cherry and a herbal component. Medium bodied with balanced acidity and a light smooth finish. Drink now thru 2010, only 1388 cases produced.

2005 Courtney Benham Zinfandel 92 points

Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2005 $15

Beautifully showcases the variety in a pure, classic way, with it's silky mouthfeel and complex flavors. Dark ruby color, showing wild berries, gingersnap cookies, cocoa and vanilla. The fruit is well integrated with a light oak and pepper component to finish off long and smooth. Drink now thru 2010.

2005 Lake Sonoma Zinfandal 91 points

Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley, $15



Wow, great zin for the money, ripe fruit flavors of, blackberry and cocoa mingle with an elegant mid palate of spiciness. The toasted oak and leather, along with a medley of dark fruit and restrained tannins lengthen the finish and add complexity. Drink this best buy now thru 2012.

2005 Kenwood Zinfandel 90 points

Zinfandel, Sonoma County, $14

Kenwood produces alot of fine wine and this one doesn't disappoint, briary and rustic. This wine hits the palate with flavors of raspberry, boysenberry and lots of spice. New French Oak adds a vanilla component to a long, long finish, drink now thru 2011.

2005 JC Cellars The Imposter 90 points

Red Blend, California, $32

I love red blends, zinfandel, petite sirah, syrah, mourvedre, viognier makes for a great bottle of wine. Viognier elevates the usual cherry-berry and spice flavors, giving it both earthier, deeper notes as well as brighter citrus fruits. Decant before serving.

2006 Gnarly Head Old Vine Zinfandel 88 points

Gnarly Head 2006 Old Vine Zinfandel (Lodi); $12

Young,lusty and fruit forward with blackberry, cherry and blueberry flavors. This wine needs time to mellow out and in a year this wine could be a 90 pointer, not bad for 12 bucks though.

2005 Roshambo The Reverend Zinfandel 93 points

Roshambo 2005 The Reverend Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley); $25


Tough life here tasting wine everyday, but I found another great wine to taste. This zin is dynamite, perfect if you will, jam packed full of fruit and flavor. Black cherry and other dark berry's with lots of cassis, cocoa, pipe tobacco, cedar and some spiciness round out this beautiful wine. Elegant structure with restrained tannins make this wine a best buy and in my top 20 of the year.

2004 Big Ass Zinfandel 92 points

Zinfandel, Sonoma County, $15



Another big powerful red with an unusual name and lable. This zinfandel Is dry, grippy in dusty tannins and complex, with earthin flavors of freshly ground coffee, dried cherries, tobacco, blackberries and black pepper. Not to sweet or hot as so many Zins are, The alcohol is a modest 13.9%. The wine is well integrated, with lots of finesse, and is a best buy in Sonoma Zin.

Leaping Lizard 2004 Zinfandel 92 points

Leaping Lizard 2004 Zinfandel (Sonoma County); $12

What a great success. It brings to mind that old saying, less is more. This a wonderfully balanced wine with tons of Zinny flavor. Wild black, blue and red berries, sweet cocoa, root beer and all kinds of dusty Asian spices spread over the palate, leading to a dry, satisfying aftertaste. Buy this one by the case and drink now!

Beauregard 2004 Zinfandel 95 points

Beauregard 2004 Beauregard Ranch Vineyard Zinfandel (Ben Lomond Mountain); $45

The product of a warm vintage in a cool-climate region, this is a very good Zin. It achieves interest and complexity. Structured like a good Cab Sauvignon, it has impressively deep blue and black wild berry and stone fruit, coffee, dried herb and spice flavors, wrapped into firm, dusty tannins.

Crauford 2005 Zinfandel 92 points

Kilt Lifter Brown Vineyard Zinfandel (Napa Valley); $32

A great Zin from Napa, this shows the classic structure of a claret, but with Zin’s distinctive personality. Briary, brambly wild berries, mocha and masses of white pepper are the aromas and flavors.