Words by Aidy Smith
Zinfandel is one of my all-time favourite grape varieties. At 21 my foray into the world of wine began just outside of San Francisco, where I was living at the time. Lodi, Dry Creek (Sonoma) and Napa were literally just on the doorstep and so the insane Zin I was able to get in my glass really made me fall in love.
Fast-forward to today and I’ve constantly been on a mission to source some of the best in the UK. We aren’t as spoilt for choice as our friends over in the USA, however, slowly but surely we’re getting more big, bold, delicious Zinfandel on our shelves.
Today, I’ve put together a list of 6 must-discover beauties that are available to warm you up as we enter the Winter and whatever the remainder of the year has in store for us…! Buckle up and get ready for a Zinfandel hug. Quite possibly the most comforting grape variety on the planet.
2017 Oak Farm Zinfandel
Deriving from Lodi where almost 40% of California’s premium Zin call home, this is also one of the oldest-vine areas for the grape. Oak Farm has always been at one with nature, which is why you’ll find many of their vineyards certified as green and sustainable. Its name is a nod to the countless oak trees that have been growing at the property for centuries, even before 1860 when the wineries colonial-style house was originally built. To this day as you meander through the vines, colossal oak trees tower above.
This Zin comes from a select few vineyards in Lodi, one of which was planted in 1958 giving it that extra punch of depth and boldness. You can expect to find cedar oak, earthy cocoa and eucalyptus on the nose with dark meadow berries, blackberries and lashings of milk chocolate on the palate with violet.
ABV: 15%
Buy: £23.35 from James Hocking Wine
Joel Gott Zinfandel 2017
I love Joel Gott for two reasons. Firstly, he makes exceptional wine (as we’re about to find out) and secondly his burgers are sensational – often pairing extremely well with the first reason.
As director of winemaking, Joel’s wife Sarah oversees the journey of every grape making its way into the bottle. As she was previously Head Winemaker at Joseph Phelps, you have high confidence this juice will be great too.
Ensuring a representation of California is experienced within, Sarah sources grapes from Amador, alongside Lodi for its old gnarly clusters of vines and Sonoma for a kick of red fruits and spice. Blended together, the result is a rich, jammy and juicy Zinfandel that soothes the palate from the first sip. Think roasted plum, blackberry and blueberry jam and baking spices with a great texture, slight acidity and a soft long finish.
ABV: 14.5%
Buy: £16.50 from Help4Hospitality
McHenry Hohnen Hazel’s Vineyard Zinfandel 2013
Hold on a minute… an AUSTRALIAN Zinfandel from 2013?! Yep, you read both of those correctly. A distinct terroir and an older vintage for a fabulously affordable price. Now that’s definitely worth sipping on!
Zinfandel was first planted within the Margaret River region in 1972 and the McHenry Hohnen family decided to get their fingers stuck in since the very beginning, so they’ve had nearly half a century of experience with this stunning grape.
Intense blackberries, cola and spiced vanilla oak sit on the nose with a candied meadow fruit jam, ripe red berries and a dusting of cocoa. All brought together with silky tannins and a smooth rounded mouthfeel.
If one of your relatives loves Primitivo or Zinfandel and you’re always worried about what to get them – you just found the perfect discovery gift.
Region: Margaret River, Australia
ABV: 14.5%
Buy: £21 from Fareham Wine Cellars
Napa Cellars Zinfandel 2016
Napa Cellars is exactly what its name suggests – a stunning representation of wines from the heard of Napa Valley. What we never usually get to explore in Napa (because it’s so Cab-predominant) is a good terroir-based example of Zin, so that’s where this beauty comes in.
Hand-picked grapes are taken from a variety of the warmest vineyards in Napa Valley; including St. Helena, Yountville, Oak Knoll and Calistoga. Grapes from these warmer climates allow a more concentrated and complex flavour profile for this particular grape – so they do what they can to aid that.
The result? A big burst of stewed blackberries with clove, cassis and spicy black pepper. Blackberry bramble with brown sugar, figs and toasted vanilla oak sit on the palate. Juicy, weighty and bursting with dark flavours!
ABV: 14.9%
Buy: £23 from Vivino
Edmeades, Mendocino Zinfandel 2016
It was 1963 when Dr Edmeades planted his first 11 acres of vines in Mendocino. Just a few years later in 1988, Jackson Family Wines saw the quality of these vineyards and decided to make the Dr. an offer. He accepted.
What I love about JFW (Jackson Family Wines) is that quality is always at the forefront of what they do. I’ve never tasted a wine of theirs I haven’t enjoyed.
We’ve explored Zinfandel from multiple regions, but this one is from the cool, coastal vineyards of Mendocino County and is produced in only limited quantities each year.
You can expect a variety of fresh brambles and berries such as cherries, blueberries and ripe plums on the nose. Take a sip of you’ll find a slight smokiness with brown sugar, blueberry pie and vanilla. The lightest ABV on the list, but by no means lacking flavour.
ABV: 14%
Buy: £22 from Amazon
Apothic Red
OK, I’m cheating a little bit here as this is a blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. BUT – in my defence, it’s a bloody beautiful and fantastic example of a mid-week wine around £10. Layers and layers of dark fruits are present throughout, like a baked meadow berry pie, complete with crust and brown sugar. There’s soothing velvety milk chocolate topped off with a kick of mocha and vanilla.
ABV: 13.5%
Buy: £9 from Tesco
Fancy reading more? Then, make sure you also check out 3 Awesome, Autumnal, Austrian Reds!