Epicurio 2008 Primitivo Di Manduria Vendemmia Apulia, Italy The nose of this wine made from a relative of the zinfandel grape is full of rich milk chocolate truffle with a hint of raspberry. The smell makes me rather excited to drink it, I must say, as truffles with raspberry are my favorite ratings, after all.
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Shannon Ridge 2008 Ranch Collection Zinfandel Lake County, CA This red wine has a strong nose of super ripe blackberries and red licorice. Spice rises to the forefront when sipped, wrapped in just enough fruit to tame it. It’s delicious. Anise, mild cinnamon, and a depth to it that I’m calling sandalwood. The fruit combines
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Novella Zinfandel Paso Robles This wine has everything I love in a zinfandel, especially that dense layer of tobacco beneath the rest of its flavors. There are thick, juicy berries along with some dried currant texture. Honestly, the Novella Zinfandel seems really well done for a zinfandel at this price range, but that might be
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Wine: Sterling Vintner’s Collection Zinfandel 2006 Region: Central Coast, CA My apologies for the lack of a picture. Oops. Guess I was too busy drinking! This is a dry wine, with notes of tobacco, soft orange, and chocolate.  I can’t complain about it but I can’t endorse it, either. I had hoped for more. Other
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Cline Zinfandel 2007 Region:  California The nose is bright and fruity.  Raspberry comes to mind. Upon drinking, I get a full mouth of fruit.  It’s leafy, zippy, and tastes closer to currants than raspberries. This is quite flavorful but perhaps a bit too much so. Reviewed 7.22.09.

Paso Robles Estancia Zinfandel Other stuff on the label: Keyes Canyon Ranches, 2003 Paso Robles. My memories of it are that of a dry, dusty gas stop on the commute from lush Santa Cruz to Santa Maria (a slightly less dry, dusty Inn & Out stop on the way to LA). Yet, through the magic
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