I began my wine awakening through the process of learning how to blind taste. In this context “zin” quickly became a favourite for its distinctive cherry laden, sweet and sour, full bodied style. As I explored, I also found that many widely available zins offered great value, with early purchases or Brazin, Ravenswood or Wente proving a hit with my friends and family who (it was the early 2000’s) had to that point really only associated zin with fairly sweet vivid rosé.
A few years into my career in the wine trade, I inevitably and wonderfully came across Ridge’s remarkable zinfandels, introducing me to the world of “fine wine” zin. Although a little cheaper then, following a comprehensive tasting from Paul Draper I was hooked and, still to this day, always buy a case or two of Geyserville and Lytton Springs each release, picking up the more hard to find Ridge zins on trips to the states.
It wasn’t until 2015 however, when I was fortunate enough to have dinner with Joel Peterson (some would argue the Godfather of zin) that I discovered quite how ageworthy the grape can be. Over dinner Joel was kind enough to open bottles of classic single vineyard Ravenswood zins from the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s, all of which demonstrated just how brilliantly these wines can age. They also surprised me, as my notes range from comparisons to classic Italian aged wines – Chianti as well as Amarone, with wines displaying dried cherry, sour redcurrant and balsamic savoury tones as well as rosemary, leather and black tea backed by firm acidity; I also saw similarities to older Rioja and Southern Rhone wines with richer strawberry tones, bitter chocolate, and sweeter coconut flavours on many.
These tastings are now why my reserves have so many cases of serious zinfandel, waiting to be enjoyed nestled in alongside the more typical claret and Chianti. However I have to admit that my love of great value youthful zin too continues to this day with Sobon, Brazin and Paris Valley Road all on the wine rack ready for the sun to return and the BBQ to go on!
Our range of zinfandel wines
Shop the range
Gnarly Head Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel 2021
Sobon Estate Rocky Top Amador Zinfandel 2021
Once and Future Green and Red Napa Zinfandel 2022
The Society's 150th Anniversary Geyserville Zinfandel 2019
Ridge Pagani Ranch Zinfandel 2021
Once and Future Teldeschi Vineyard Frank's Block Zinfandel 2022
Paris Valley Road California Zinfandel 2020
Brazin Lodi Old-Vine Zinfandel 2021
Ridge Pagani Ranch Zinfandel 2019
