Since 1969, restaurant, hotel, travel & other witty reviews by a handpicked, worldwide team of discerning professionals—and your views, too.

Top Rated Zinfandel

Zinfandel grapes

This grape of Croatian origin, now indigenous to California, is the most widely planted grape in the state. Zinfandel wine is considered to be the emblem of great Californian wine. The wine is boldly fruit-forward, with a raspberry, jam-like aroma, consistent with Zinfandel from cooler regions of the state — as compared to Zinfandel of the warmer regions, which produce a wine flavored with notes of anise, blackberry and pepper. These are the best Zinfandels we've tasted, starting with our highest rated wines.


Grgich Hills
2000 Miljenko's Old Vines Zinfandel
Napa Valley, CA
17/20

$59

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Dutton-Goldfield
2006 Morelli Lane Vineyard Zinfandel
Russian River Valley, CA
15.5/20
$
40

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Frank Family Vineyards
2006 Napa Valley Zinfandel
Napa Valley, CA
15.5/20
$37

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Rancho Zabaco
2004 Toreador Zinfandel
Sonoma Valley, CA
15.5/20
$50

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Ravenswood Winery
2004 Old Hill Zinfandel
Sonoma Valley, CA
15.5/20

$29

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Dutton-Goldfield
2006 Zinfandel
Russian River Valley, CA
15/20
$30

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Hartford
2006 Highwire Vineyard Zinfandel
Russian River Valley, CA
15/20
$50

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Haywood Estate
1997 Morning Sun Zinfandel
Sonoma Valley, CA
15/20

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Kuleto Estate
2005 Zinfandel
Napa Valley, CA
15/20

$37

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Perception Wines
2007 Bacigalupi Zinfandel
Russian River Valley, CA
15/20

$53

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Ravenswood Winery
2001 Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel
Sonoma Valley, CA
15/20

$17

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Rosenblum Cellars
2008 Rockpile Road Vineyard Zinfandel
Sonoma Valley, CA
15/20

$18

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Saucelito Canyon

2001 Zinfandel Reserve
Arroyo Grande, CA
15/20

$28

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Spelletich Cellars
2002 Tim & Edie's Zinfandel
Shenandoah Valley, CA
15/20

$25

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V-Twin Vineyards
2005 V-Twin Zin Zinfandel
Sonoma County, CA
15/20
$24

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Bella Vineyards
2007 Belle Canyon Zinfandel
Dry Creek Valley, CA
14.5/20

$35

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Bella Vineyards
2007 Lily Hill Zinfandel
Dry Creek Valley, CA
14.5/20

$38

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Bianchi Winery
2005 Heritage Selection Zen Ranch Zinfandel
Paso Robles, CA
14.5/20

$24

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Bonterra Vineyards
2005 Zinfandel
Mendocino County, CA
14.5/20

$14

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Brassfield
2001 Zinfandel
Clear Lake, CA
14.5/20

$18

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Chateau Montelena
2008 Montelena Estate Zinfandel
Napa Valley, CA
14.5/20

$30

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Cline Cellars
2006 Live Oak Zinfandel
Contra Costa County, CA
14.5/20

$30

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Dashe Cellars
2005 Florence Vineyard Zinfandel
Dry Creek Valley, CA
14.5/20
$32

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Dashe Cellars
2005 Louvau Vineyard Old Vines Zinfandel
Dry Creek Valley, CA
14.5/20
$32

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Duckhorn Vineyards
2007 Paraduxx Napa Valley Red Wine
Napa Valley, CA
14.5/20
$48

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Eberle
2004 Zinfandel
Paso Robles, CA
14.5/20

$22

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Eristavi Family Winery
2009 Zinfandel
Dry Creek Valley, CA
14.5/20

$32

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Herzog Wine Cellars
2005 Special Reserve Lodi Zinfandel
Lodi, CA
14.5/20

$34

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Kuleto Estate
2006 Zinfandel
Napa Valley, CA
14.5/20

$40

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Manilow
2004 Zinfandel
Sierra Foothills, CA
14.5/20

$25

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Ravenswood Winery
2004 Belloni Zinfandel
Russian River Valley, CA
14.5/20

$29

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Ravenswood Winery
2004 Big River Zinfandel
Alexander Valley, CA
14.5/20

$29


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Rosenblum Cellars
2008 Maggie's Reserve Zinfandel
Sonoma Valley, CA
14.5/20

$45

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Wine Guerrilla
2009 Forchini Vineyards Old Vine Zinfandel
Dry Creek Valley, CA
14.5/20
$35

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XYZin
2003 Zinfandel
Contra Costa County, CA
14.5/20

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Acorn
2000 Alegría Vineyards Heritage Vines Zinfandel
Russian River Valley, CA
14/20
$28

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Chase Family Cellars
2003 Zinfandel
Napa Valley, CA
14/20

$40

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Clif Family Winery
2008 Gary's Improv Napa Valley Zinfandel
Napa Valley, CA
14/20

$28

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Dashe Cellars
2005 Todd Brothers Vineyard Zinfandel Alexander Valley
Alexander Valley, CA
14/20
$32

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Eberle Winery
2004 Steinbeck Vineyard Zinfandel
Paso Robles, CA
14/20

$18

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Quivira
2007 Wine Creek Ranch, Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel
Sonoma County, CA
14/20

$34

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Spelletich Cellars
2002 Zinfandel Aliso Vineyard
Napa Valley, CA
14/20

$29

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Summerland Winery
2007 Paso Robles Zinfandel
Paso Robles, CA
14/20
$17

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Napa Cellars
2002 Zinfandel
Napa Valley, CA
13.5/20

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Rancho Zabaco
2006 Sonoma Heritage Vines Zinfandel
Sonoma County, CA
13.5/20
$15

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Solaris
2004 Zinfandel
Mendocino County, CA
13.5/20

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Weinstock
2004 Zinfandel Cellar Select
Lodi, CA
13.5/20
$16

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Z52
2002 Agnes' Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel
Lodi, CA
13.5/20



 
(Updated: 02/27/12 BH)

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