Zinfandel in Tucson

Wine Finder The good news on Zinfandel is that there is a plethora of inventory in Tucson retail outlets. Prices range, on average from a low of around $10 to the $40’s and an occasion one in the $50+ range. To find that truly top Zin, you will need to pay up….at least in the $20’s and often the $30’s-40’s. To read more on what makes a top Zinfandel, see the Zinfandel article in the Wine Education segment.

AJ’s Fine Foods:

Carlisle Dry Creek Valley, 2007:

While a little pricey, this is a wine for your radar screen. It’s just luscious with black cherry, a little vanilla spice and some wet earth. This producer’s wines are, quite generally, outstanding. Drink or store for a couple of years. $36.99

Linne Calodo Problem Child, Paso Robles, 2006:

This is a Zin blend with Mourvedre and Syrah. Very striking wine with lots of energy. Deep berry and plum, dried herbs and just right amount of peppery spice; wonderfully balanced tannins that soften in time. Drink or store for a couple of years. $55.99

Old Ghost Lodi Old Vine, 2006:

A very rich and tannic wine with lots of boysenberry and blueberry at first, yielding to its heavier components such as expresso and smoked pepper. This wine will store for a good few years which should soften the tannins a bit. A great wine for now or later. $41.99

Carol Shelton Mendicino Cty. Wild Thing Cox Vineyard 2004:

A very nice wine from a quality producer. Lovely aromas of berry, dried herbs, earth and black pepper and an undertone of minerality. Moderate tannins round out a wonderfully balanced wine. As this is an ’04, drink within the year. $34.99

Carol Shelton Rocky Road Reserve, 2005:

A nearly perfect Zin…polished yet with firm structure. Lovely dried cherry, herbs and a peppery spiciness. A firm tannic backbone and soft minerality. Drink this wine now or store if for a couple of years….$30.99

Robert Biale Napa Valley Napa Ranches, 2006:

Medium deep cherry, licorice and cracked pepper aromas teased with a hint of vanilla. Drink now or store for a couple of years…$47.99

Orin Swift California Saldo 2007:

Gotta love this wine between quality and price. Lots of deep, dark fruit such as plum and boysenberry with a hit of tobacco and peppery spice. Light-moderate tannins help to round this wine out…a winner! Drink now or store for a few years…$30.99

Seghesio Sonoma County Old Vine 2006:

One of my favorite producers for quality Zin. This one did not disappoint. This wine is nearly classic in its raisiny and jammy character with deep layers of dark berry, dried herbs along with smoky and peppery notes; wonderful mineral freshness as well. This wine can be consumed now or put away for several years. $37.99

Ridge Three Valleys, 2007:

Here is a great deal on a lively Zin and at a truly good price for the quality.
The wine is a Zin blend with Petite Syrah, Syrah, Grenache and Carignane. The blend gives the some exotic aroma of Far eastern spices along with fresh cherries, nuts and anise. The wine can be consumed now or stored away for a few years. And all for………$23.99

Frank Family Napa Valley 2006:

Another lively one with boysenberry, dried herbs and cracked pepper lending spicy zest to the wine. Drink now or give it a couple of years. $37.99

Green & Red Chiles Mill Vineyard 2006:

An elegant and smooth presentation with lots of dark cherry and a hint of strawberry; dried herbs and licorice. Sleek finish…Drink now or wait a few years…$31.99

Hartford Russian River Valley 2005:

More lean and simple than many Zins. Black raspberry and a touch of minerality; tannic structure is tense. While time should soften the tannins, the wine itself probably won’t improve much…I would drink it now…$26.99

Collier Falls Dry Creek Valley Private Reserve 2003:

A lovely balanced wine with dark cherry and berry aromas, a little smoky scent and soft oak and the usual peppery spice. Nice finish with light to moderate tannins. Being an ’03, drink this now…$27.99

Klinker Brick Lodi Old Vine 2006:

A big, fruity wine with dark cherry and blackberry aromas. Not much spice or tannins with this one so I would drink it now or over the next year…$19.99

Plungerhead Lodi Old Vine 2007:

Simple and enjoyable Zin with spicy plum and licorice…drink now..$16.99

Bogle California Old Vine 2007:

Lovely black cherry aromas, a hint of vanilla oak and nice spice…drink now or over the next year; great pricing….$10.99

Beverage House, E Broadway:

Cubed D Napa Valley 2005:

Well structured and balanced wine with fruits of dark cherry and wild berry, dried herbs, licorice and a spicy finish….as it’s an ’05, drink now or over the next year…$31.99

Linne Calodo Leona’s Paso Robles 2005:

Jammy and tannic Zin blend w/Mouvedre and Syrah; a bit of gaminess to the flavors. There’s almost a backward nature to the wine. While Linne Calodo is a great producer, I would keep and eye peeled for the ’06 or ’07 Problem Child, both of which are blends. These two are exciting wines with outstanding balance and finish and should run about the same as the Leona’s. Drink Leona’s now or over the next couple of years..$50.79

Murphy Goode Sonoma Cty Liar’s Dice 2006:

Another zesty and jammy Zin with fresh raspberry and peppery aromas giving way to soft dark cherry and a toasty vanilla. For the price, I love this wine…drink now or give it a couple of years…$20.99

Outpost Howell Mtn 2006:

This is one powerful Zin with all the makings of a great wine when it settles down. Fruits of raspberry, blueberry or ?huckleberry; fresh herbs and a definite earthy character, licorice and cracked pepper add a well rounded spice to the profile. Well structured tannins offer great backbone that race to the finish. This is one of those wines that needs some time to round the edges and bring all the elements into perfect harmony….give this another year or so and then try….store a few bottles away as well to compare as it ages….$47.99

St Francis Sonoma Cty 2005:

Delicious cherry and plum flavors support by cedary tannins, a hint of smoky bacon, garrigue (almost a hint of Rhone), and a little licorice. Great wine for the price…drink now or over the next couple of years…$22.69

Orin Swift California Saldo 2007:

Description: see above… $28.99

Rubicon Estate Rutherford Edizone Pennino 2006:

This is an exceptionally fruity wine with only the slightest hint of its tannins. Jam filled with lots of berry flavor and an underlying hint of dried herbs; mocha and licorice round out the profile. If you love Zins without much tannin, this is for you. Drink now to enjoy the fresh fruit or wait a couple of years for the fruit to fade a bit and allow the other components to assert themselves further…$43.99

Haywood Sonoma Valley Rocky Terrace Los Chamizal Vineyard 2006:

Nicely styled Zin with dark cherry, spicy raspberry, dried herbs and a toasty finish. Drink now or over the next couple or three years….$39.99

Venge Scouts Honor Napa Valley 2005:

A nice classic Zin with zesty black cherry, dried sage and tobacco aromas all well supported by a hefty backbone of tannins. Drink now or over the next couple of years….$34.79

Simi Dry Creek Valley 2005:

Fruit filled with dark cherry, raspberry and a cinnamon spice. Licorice and dried sage pick up along the way and the firm tannins linger on the finish. Nice wine for the price. Drink or over the next couple of years…..$15.99

Frank Family Napa Valley 2005:

A lovely and well balanced wine with dark cherry fruit and gentle spices; some hint of earth and mild tannins on the finish. Drink now or over the next year; $35.99

Klinker Brick Lodi Old Vine 2006:

See above; $19.99

Pastiche:

Carol Shelton Mendicino Cty Wild Thing Cox Vineyard 2004:

See above; $23

Carol Shelton RRV Karma Zin Rue Vineyard Old Rd Old Vines 2004:

Nice integration of dark cherry, blackberry and ? pomegranate with a peppery aroma and moderate tannins; drink this now as it’s an ’04….$26.00

Dark Horse Dry Creek Valley Treborce Vineyard 2006:

Deep plum and dark berry aromas but with a tough smoky pepperiness and a hint of licorice; seems a little disjointed right now; perhaps this will soften a bit in the next couple of years; $26.75

Klinker Brick Lodi Old Vine 2006:

See above; $13.25

Klinker Brick Old Ghost Old Vine 2005:

A lovely, almost sweet, wine for a Zin with cherry, boysenberry fruits; smooth streak of vanilla and gentle herbs…drink it before this year is out…$27.50

Orin Swift California Solado 2007:

See above; $20

Rosenblum Contra Costa Cty Planchon Vineyard 2006:

Distinctive raisiny aromas intertwined with spiced pepper and licorice scent; some hints of bacon (a bit odd for a Zin). Finishes with nice tannins. While the aromas and flavors are a bit different here, the package is pleasant…drink now…$20.

Seghesio Sonoma Cty 2006:

A hit of black cherry, licorice and spice from the first sip; firm tannins bring up the finish…drink now or over the next couple of years…$21.99.

Wingnut Amador Cty 2005:

A little on the taut side with deep plum, spice and earthy aromas but at a good price of $9.45. I would drink this over the next year.

BevMo

Chateau Montelena Napa Valley The Montelena Estate 2005:

Lovely integration of juicy cherry and plum; licorice and sage add some definition to the wine; nice finish…drink now or wait a year or two…$27.99

D Cubed Cellars Napa Valley 2004:

A hefty wine; blackberry and blueberry compete with peppery and licorice spice, firm tannins and an earthy scent. Despite the ’04 vintage, I would still give this another couple of years trial to see if it softens….$27.99

Frank Family Napa Valley 2006:

See above

Fife Napa Valley Old Vines Les Vielles Vignes 2003:

Despite the age of the vintage, this wine is still full of body and structure. The fruits reveal ripe blueberry and blackberry and some raisiny spice character; nice tannin finish to round the package….drink over the next year…$26.99

Klinker Brick Lodi Old Vine 2006:

See above; $16.99

Kenwood Sonoma Valley Jack London Vineyard 2005:

Well balanced and lively wine with cherry and plum aromas, pleasant peppery scent and a hint of smoke…perhaps a little on the “thin” side….drink over the next year..$26.99

Renwood Amador Cty Jack Rabbit Flat 2005:

Well balanced and simple Zin with berry flavors, peppery spice, an loamy scent; finishes with well structured tannins…drink now or over the next two years..$29.99.

Renwood Amador Cty Grandpere 2005:

Lots of soft and ripe fruit here; blackberry and cherry; firm scents of pepper and licorice and a little minerality for zest….drink now….$29.99

Ridge Geyserville Sonoma Cty 2006:

This is a wonderful blend of Zin, Petite Sirah, Carignane and Mataro (Mouvedre)…one of those “you get what you pay for” wines. Great balance between the lively raspberry and cooked berry flavors, dill, sage and cracked pepper. A lovely finish with soft tannins rounds out the profile…buy a few of these, try one now and then over the next several years. This one will age nicely and round out even more…$39.99

Ridge Three Valleys Sonoma Cty 2006:

Another Ridge blend of Zin, Petite Sirah, Carignane and Grenache. This one is big and burly with wonderful structure. Blueberry pie, plum; smoky pepper, dill and licorice adding depth, all supported by firm tannins…great wine for the price. This one will age well for several years so pick your spot and try some…$22.99.

Ridge Napa Valley York Creek 2006:

A pure Zin from Ridge. Berry pie, a hint of dried dill and cracked pepper; soft tannins here….a delightful wine….. with beautiful balance…this will age as well as the other Ridge’s….$31.99.

Ridge Dry Creek Valley Lytton Springs 2005:

A very fruit forward and energetic wine with lively boysenberry and cherry; beautifully integrated herbal notes and a hint of wood (?oak or cedar); well rounded tannins finish it off….drink now or over the next few years….$34.99.

Seghesio Sonoma Cty Old Vine 2006:

See above; $33.99

Green & Red Napa Valley Chiles Mill Vineyard 2006:

A perfectly balanced wine with cherry and mild strawberry aromas weaved with sage and underbrush; a scent of oaky smoke and mild licorice flavor…drink now or over the next couple of years…$27.99.

Four Vines Amador Cty Maverick 2006:

A pleasant wine with soft cherry flavors, mild spices and a faint tannin finish. Drink now….$ 23.99

Artezin Mendicino Cty 2007:

Spicy plum and blackberry flavors intermingle with distinct aromas of fresh herbs. Pleasant, albeit unremarkable, finish. Drink now or over the next couple of years. $16.99

Wingnut Amador Cty 2005:

See above; $13.99

Rosenblum North Coast Appellation Series 2005:

A pleasant wine with blackberry, blueberry and cherry aromas and the classic licorice and cracked pepper scents. Drink now or over the next couple of years; $16.99.

Four Vines California Old Vine Cuvee 2006:

Ripe cherry and blackberry aromas and flavors, intertwined with moderately spicy tannins and whiff of mocha. Drink this now…$10.99

Feast:

(Please note that prices of full bottles to purchase from the wine shop are $7 less than stated on the in house wine list. The purchase prices are listed below).

Grgich Hills Estate Napa Valley 2006:

Black cherry and plum aromas mingled with dried herbs; licorice and earthy undertones. Pleasant tannins on the finish…drink now or over the next few years……only available in half bottles……$20

Dashe Cellars Dry Creek 2006:

Zesty raspberry and cherry flavors with a thread of mocha and spice; nice minerality and firm tannins on a moderately long finish….drink now or give it a few years to soften a bit……$27

Kunin Paso Robles Westside 2006:

Soft cherry with an earthy, smoky undertone. Pleasant. Drink now…$27

Renwood Fiddletown 2005:

A smoky and peppery profile with boysenberry, licorice, and a pleasant underylying minerality. Drink now and over the next couple of years…$30

Rosenblum Paso Robles Richard Sauret Vineyards 2006:

A taut and earthy wine with plum, licorice and cracked pepper aromas; not much in the way of tannins but a pleasant wine, nonetheless…drink before the year is out…$37.

Orin Swift Saldo 2007:

See above; $30 (a very good price for this high quality wine!)

Peter Franus Mount Veeder Brandlin Vineyards 2005:

A hefty wine with blackberry and deep currant fruit, earthy and herbal tones and a tannic backbone…drink now or over the next year or two…$40

Turley Howell Mountain Rattlesnake Ridge 2006:

A hefty wine with blackberry and cherry; a smoky and earthy undertone with dried herbs and moderate tannins…..may improve and soften over the next year or two…$54.

Turley Howell Mountain Cedarman 2006:

Great balance here with jammy blackberry, mocha and spice notes and little licorice; a smoky undertone lends a rustic and earthy character. Nice tannins. All the ingredients for a winner….drink now and store some away for a few years….$45.

Turley Howell Mountain Dragon Vineyard 2006:

Wild berry and peppery blend along with an herbal and forest floor note yields to earthy tannins; give this a little time and it should integrate into an outstanding wine….$60.

Turley California Old Vines 2006:

Lots of dark fruit; raspberry, plum and black cherry, roasted meat, tar, black pepper and spice translate into a wine with full body and nice tannic finish…drink over the next couple of years….$39.

Turley Contra Costa Cty Duarte 2007:

One of those Turley wines with class and muscle. Smooth dark fruit, an elegant spice with an earthy loam underneath. A sleek effort…drink now or over the next few years….$45.

Turley Paso Robles Dusi Vineyard 2007:

A muscular wine with dried cherry, a smoky underbrush, licorice and cracked pepper…drink this now but will likely mellow over the next few years…$57.

Turley Lodi Dogtown Vineyard 2006:

A classic raisiny based Zin with tar, spiced black pepper and licorice…drink now or over the next few years….$60.

Turley Paso Robles Ueberroth Vineyard 2006:

A “meaty” style of wine with aromas of grilled meat, licorice and pepper freshened with blackberry fruit flavors. Finishes with spice and moderate tannins…..drink now or over the next few years….$60.

Carol Shelton Rockpile Rocky Reserve Florence Vineyard 2005:

Wonderful balance of dried cherry and blackberry, peppery licorice and sage and firm tannins….drink now and try again in a year or two…great wine here…$56.

Rosenblum Sonoma Valley Maggie’s Reserve 2004:

A very fruit heavy wine with blackberry and raspberry dominating the flavor profile. This is an unusual style for one who doesn’t miss the heavier, earthy and herbal elements….drink now…$52.

Vineyard 29 Aida 2005:

A blend of mostly Zin along with a little Petite Sirah. Lively cherry and strawberry fruits mix with lovely herbs, dry earth and a spicy pepper…drink now and over the next year or so….$77.

Total Wines

Artezin Mendicino 2007:

See above; $13.99

Carlisle Dry Creek 2007:

See above; $38.99

Carol Shelton Rockpile Rocky Reserve Florence Vineyard 2005:

See above; $34.99

Carol Shelton RRV Karma Zin OV Rue Vineyard Wood Rd. 2005:

A well balanced and muscular wine with lots of deep fruit; blackberry and boysenberry; wonderful integration of dried herbs and the classic licorice aroma and finishes with a meaningful tannic structure…drink now or over the next few years. May improve a notch with age…$32.99

Carol Shelton Dry Creek Valley Maple Zin Maple Vineyards OV 2004:

A very earthy, almost rustic wine, with lots of dried herbs and loamy aromas; non-descript berry flavors are present but this wine doesn’t seem as well integrated as the producer’s other wines….if you like this style, drink now…$32.99

Cline Contra Costa Cty Big Break 2006:

A truly delightful wine with fruit and licorice dominating; lots of typical cherry and plum and a well integrated spice. Very little herbal character adds up to a refreshing Zin….drink over the next couple of years….$22.99

*note: the ’07 has great write ups (I have not yet tasted it). It should run in the mid $20’s and is a keeper when it becomes available locally.

Cline Contra Costa Cty Bridgehead 2006:

*note: the ’06 is not a great wine, in my opinion, but the ’07 has received some nice write ups….I would wait for this one.

Cline Contra Costa Cty Live Oak 2006:

Lively blackberry and blueberry aromas with a hint of licorice and dried herbs. Nice wine and drinkable now or over the next couple of years…$22.99

D Cubed Napa Valley 2005:

A nicely balanced wine with tasty dark cherry and berry flavors, dried sage, licorice and spiced pepper….drink now…$28.99

Dry Creek Sonoma Cty Heritage 2005:

A packed, muscular wine with grilled beef, licorice and tobacco notes wrapped in a blanket of deep plum and berry fruits….can drink now but should soften over the next couple of years…$15.99

Four Vines Sonoma Cty The Sophisticate 2006:

It’s hard to find such a great Zin at this price. Dark berry fruits melt in harmony with the structured elements of sage, licorice and grilled meat wrapped in peppery tannins. Wonderful finish on this one. You can try this one now but it should age nicely for the next few years.

Hartford Family RRV 2005:

Nice dark raspberry supported by a backbone of moderate tannins. Not an overly complex Zin but very enjoyable…drink now….$28.99.

Kunde Estate Sonoma Valley 2006:

On the simple side with dried cherry and spiced pepper. Enjoyable….drink now or over the next couple of years….$12.99

Murphy Goode Liar’s Dice 2006:

See above; $13.49

Murphy Goode Alexander Valley Snake Eyes Elaine Maria Vineyards: 2004:

A very ripe and fruity Zin with spiced pepper and lovely tannins to finish…a great wine. As it’s an ’04, I would drink now but may be approachable for another year of so…..$29.99.

Renwood Amador Cty Old Vine 2005:

Full of deep fruit such as raspberry and cherry and nicely balanced with dried herbs and pepper….drink now or over the next year….$15.99

Renwood Amador Cty Jack Rabbit Flat 2005:

See above; $32.99

Renwood Fiddletown 2005:

A wonderfully classic Zin and inexpensive with lots of berry fruits and balanced by hefty tannins, licorice and pepper…..drink now or over the next year or two…..great wine for the price of $21.99

Ridge Dry Creek Valley East Bench 2006:

A wine with some power yet never loses the dark fruit of raspberry and cherry. Muscular aromas of cedar and pepper and a hint of dill…..well balanced wine. Drink over the next couple of years….$26.99.

Ridge Geyersville Sonoma Cty 2006

See above; $29.99

Ridge Dry Creek Valley Lytton Springs 2005:

See above; $28.99

Ridge Napa Valley York Creek 2006:

Lovely berry and dried cherry balanced with dill and fresh pepper….a wonderful wine….drink now or over the next several years….$27.99.

Rosenblum Redwood Valley Annette’s Reserve 2006:

A blockbuster of a wine….deep black fruit with an underlying hit of sage, toast, spicy vanilla, and licorice. If you like muscular wines but with great fruit, this is it!
If you try this now, pair it with a dish with weight and volume to balance the wine’s intensity……then try another bottle from time to time over the next several years…$36.99.

Rosenblum Amador Cty Aparicio 2006:

A very juicy, fruit driven, wine with lots of cherry and blackberry, pepper and sage. Much lighter than Annette’s Reserve, above, and drinkable now. $28.99.

Rosenblum Paso Robles Appellation Series 2006:

A pleasant wave of cherry and blackberry mingled with soft scents of licorice and spice….very enjoyable now or over the next couple of years…$14.99.

Rosenblum Contra Costa Cty Planchon Vineyard 2006:

Very raisiny style with notes of peppery spice, licorice and a hint of bacon! Not my personal favorite style but perhaps it is yours…..drink now or over the next year…$23.99.

Sausal Alexander Valley Family 2005:

For the price, this is a winner! Lovely, soft cherry, juicy plum, just the right infusion of sage and defined tannins all weave a wonderful storyline. Drink now or over the next couple of years….look at this price….$15.49!

Seghesio County Old Vines 2006:

See above; great price at $26.99

Seghesio Sonoma Cty 2006:

A little disjointed. All the elements are there but don’t seem to mingle. Cherry and blackberry flavors followed by licorice and spice with a firm tannic finish. Drink now or over the next year or two…$24.99

Turley Paso Robles Dusi Vineyard 2007:

See above; $56.99

Turley Paso Robles Ueberroth 2006:

See above; $79.99