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2023 Sarafornia Vineyards "Fox & Grapes" Estate Zinfandel 75cl 14.3% ABV
USA, California, Napa Valley AVA
Varietal: Zinfandel



Color: deep, dark cherry.
Nose: mint, blueberries, cherries, blackcurrants, pepper, clove, a hint of honey, eucalyptus, chocolate, and herbs.
Taste: blackberries, cherries, plums, pepper, chocolate. Tannins are decent, and the acidity is well-balanced.
Finish: plums, cherries, raspberries, cranberries, tannins, pepper, and chocolate.
Score: 9. Between good and excellent. +2+2+2.

Conclusion: a very pleasant young Zinfandel I recently discovered at Costco. The listed price is $24 per bottle, but with a $5 discount, it comes to just $19 before tax. The back label indicates that this wine is produced by Sarafornia Vineyards, also known as Sarafornia Cellars. Interestingly, they share the same address with Storybook Mountain Vineyards, suggesting a likely connection between the two. I tasted one of SMV's Zins a long time ago, and it was quite good. 89/100.

Balcones Texas Single Malt 4YO Single Barrel OB K&L Exclusive 75cl 67.5% ABV
Distilled March 3rd, 2020; bottled August 3rd, 2024
Cask type: First Fill Oloroso Sherry
Cask no: 12720



Color: dark brown.
Nose: prunes, all types of chocolate, rose petals, clay, a whiff of smoke, orange marmalade, blackberries, strawberries, marzipan, hazelnuts, roasted coffee beans, dates, cherries, apricots, nougat, allspice. Sherry and berries, very impressive.
Taste: a lot of dark chocolate, prunes, redcurrants, cinnamon, peppery kick, lemons, clove, cherries, strawberries. Thick and chewy. Not very hot despite the high ABV, and not overly sweet.
Finish: chocolate, dates, pepper, prunes, redcurrants, strawberries, licorice, lemon zest, raisins. A bit sweeter and hotter than the palate.
Score: 8 ¾. Better than good. +2+2+1.

Conclusion: a really powerful young sherried malt from Balcones distillery, located in Waco, TX, matured in a very active cask. K&L Wines say it was filled at 62.45% and bottled at 67.5% so the angels took the water and kindly left the booze. Cheers to their generosity! Hot and dry Waco weather pushed the spirit in ways no Scottish climate ever could, making it stronger and more concentrated with age. Wow. At least 87/100.

2016 Turley "Buck Cobb Vineyard" Zinfandel 75cl 15.1% ABV
USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Shenandoah Valley AVA
Varietal: Zinfandel
Aging: 15 months in oak barrels (80% French, 20% American; 80% used, 20% new)



Color: cherry.
Nose: plums, prunes, chocolate crumbs, raspberries, orange bubblegum, burnt match, tobacco, tea, cedar, nail polish remover, blueberries, dried apricots, wet stone, a hint of rye bread. A lot of great notes, though a bit too sweet, and bready notes are somewhat confusing.
Taste: tea, cherries, blood oranges, plums, a hint of pepper, rowanberries, chocolate, ripe tannins. Quite pleasant, with moderate acidity.
Finish: cherries, strawberries, blood oranges, cocoa, rowanberries, pepper, a touch of salt, tannins.
Score: 9. Between good and excellent. +2+2+2.

Conclusion: a solid zin, though there are many like it in California, and you can find something in this class that is at least 1 ½ times cheaper. From Turley, you'd expect more. 90/100.

2019 Turley "Judge Bell" Zinfandel 75cl 15.5% ABV
USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Shenandoah Valley AVA
Varietal: Zinfandel
Aging: 15 months in oak barrels (80% French, 20% American; 80% used, 20% new)



Color: garnet.
Nose: overripe plums, wet stone, blackberries, cherries, caramelized apples, cedar nuts, vanilla, a touch of acetone, leather, tobacco, anise, and white pepper. Sweet and slightly boozy.
Taste: cherries, raspberries, blackcurrants, plums, pepper, powerful tannins, herbs, chocolate, and lime zest. The acidity is vibrant and well balanced.
Finish: cherries, raspberries, plums, pepper, chocolate, tannins, and herbs.
Score: 9 ¼. Almost excellent. +2+3+2.

Conclusion: a richly plum-driven wine that benefits from extended decanting. The aroma leans sweet, while the palate is simply outstanding. An unusual Zinfandel with impressive character. 92/100.

2019 Turley "Zampatti Vineyard" Zinfandel 75cl 15.7% ABV
USA, California, Sonoma County, Fountaingrove District AVA
Varietal: Zinfandel
Aging: 15 months in oak barrels (80% French, 20% American; 80% used, 20% new)



Color: purple ruby.
Nose: cherries, eucalyptus, plums, apricots, graphite, rosemary, raspberries, vanilla, black peppercorns, coffee, black currants.
Taste: raspberries, cherries, plums, licorice, chocolate, cranberries, a touch of pepper, ripe tannins, tea, lemon zest. Velvety, with decent acidity, though the sweetness comes through a bit more than I'd prefer.
Finish: raspberries, plums, pepper, coffee, licorice, tannins, lemon zest, chocolate, lingonberries.
Score: 9 ¼. Almost excellent. +3+2+2.

Conclusion: bright, bold and jammy Zin. A bit too sweet for my taste, though still impressive. 92/100. The Fountaingrove District is one of Sonoma County's more recent AVAs, established in 2015 and located northeast of Santa Rosa.

2018 Turley "Ueberroth Vineyard" Zinfandel 75cl 15.9% ABV
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles AVA
Varietal: Zinfandel
Aging: 15 months in oak barrels (80% French, 20% American; 80% used, 20% new)



Color: garnet ruby.
Nose: raspberries, mint, cherries, slightly burnt prunes, blackberries, blueberries, black chokeberries, leather, eucalyptus, apricots, black pepper, and cedar nuts. Quite striking.
Taste: blackberries, blueberries, orange zest, mint, pronounced plums, pepper, cherries, moderate tannins, and licorice. Good acidity, with sweet fruity notes also present.
Finish: cranberries, plums, pepper, tannins, cherries, blackberries, dark chocolate, and tobacco.
Score: 9 ¼. Almost excellent. +3+2+2.

Conclusion: great Zin! The nose is more berry-driven, while the palate leans toward fruit — not quite a fruit bomb, but very close. The elevated alcohol level feels well integrated. 92/100.

2016 Bedrock Wine Co. "Monte Rosso Vineyard" Zinfandel 75cl 14.5% ABV
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley, Moon Mountain District AVA
Varietal: Zinfandel

Color: ruby.
Nose: cedar, raspberries, wild strawberries, barnyard, plums, pepper, tea, orange zest, apricots, oak barrel, pencil graphite, violet flowers. Highly nuanced!
Taste: strawberries, blueberries, cherries, plums, cranberries, a bit of dark chocolate, expressive tannins, pepper, licorice. Solid acidity.
Finish: cranberries, cherries, tea, tannins, licorice, and pepper. Somewhat bitter and short, with only tannins lingering.
Score: 9. Between good and excellent. +3+2+1.

Conclusion: this Zinfandel boasts an excellent aroma but declines from nose to palate to finish. Still a very enjoyable wine, though somewhat inconsistent. 91/100. Monte Rosso is named for its bright-red, iron-rich volcanic soils, which likely contribute to this Zin's remarkable perfume.

( Monte Rosso vineyard )

2019 Williams Selyem "Fanucci-Wood Road Vineyard" Zinfandel Blend 75cl 15.2% ABV
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley AVA
Varietal: Zinfandel, with a small percentage of Alicante Bouchet and Petite Sirah
Barrel aged for 13 months (25% new oak, 25% one year old, 25% two years old, 25% three plus years old)



Color: deep ruby.
Nose: eucalyptus, pronounced apricots, plums, raspberries, tobacco, pencil shavings, allspice, anise, hibiscus tea, pomegranates, damp oak, dried blueberries. Stunning.
Taste: cherries, chocolate, apricots, red currants, tea leaves, structured tannins, a hint of pepper, lemon zest, and a subtle salinity. Rounded and velvety.
Finish: chocolate, tannins, lingonberry juice, cherries, tea leaves, and a touch of pepper and salt.
Score: 9 ½. Excellent. +3+3+2.

Conclusion: yet another outstanding and beautifully complex Zinfandel from the Russian River Valley — my favorite American Viticultural Area. The apricot notes are magnificent, complemented by superb acidity (pH: 3.49, T.A.: 6.4 g/L) and well-integrated, mature tannins on the palate. Decanted for 3 hours. 95/100. This dry-farmed vineyard (meaning the grapes are grown without irrigation) is primarily Zinfandel but includes small plantings of Alicante Bouschet and Petite Sirah, creating a classic field blend.

2016 Carlisle "Papera Ranch" Zinfandel Blend 75cl 15% ABV
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley AVA
Varietal: 96% Zinfandel, 4% Carignan
21% new French oak
1,005 cases produced


Color: deep, dark cherry.
Nose: a captivating bouquet of sage, leather, figs, eucalyptus, cedar nuts, cherries, blackberries, rhubarb, mint chocolate, pepper, pomegranates, wet stone, tobacco, blueberries, almonds, and hibiscus. The herbal notes are particularly enchanting.
Taste: layers of red currants, raspberries, cherries, cranberries, and pepper, complemented by well-integrated ripe tannins, orange zest, and mint tea. Wonderfully balanced with outstanding acidity (pH: 3.33, T.A.: 6.9 g/L).
Finish: lingering notes of cherries, pepper, leather, tannins, a hint of salt, lemon zest, and lingonberries.
Score: 9 ¼. Nearly excellent. +3+2+2.

Conclusion: yet another remarkable Zinfandel from Carlisle winery. It's truly disappointing that they’re closing. Drinking beautifully now, though the wine feels slightly past its peak. Decanted for three hours. 92/100.

2022 Turley "Rattlesnake Ridge" Zinfandel 75cl 15.1% ABV
USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain AVA
Varietal: Zinfandel
Aging: 15 months in oak barrels (80% French, 20% American; 80% used, 20% new)



Color: dark purple garnet.
Nose: intensely aromatic, with layers of black currants, blueberries, herbs, eucalyptus, tobacco, vanilla, cherries, wet stone, plums, apricots, black pepper, orange zest, and a hint of roasted meat.
Taste: a lively mix of blueberries, raspberries, cherry plums, and lingonberries, underscored by pronounced tannins and a touch of black pepper with salt. The acidity and astringency are each well-defined, but the wine as a whole lacks a touch of balance.
Finish: persistent and complex, featuring blueberries, bitter chocolate, blackberries, lingonberries, red currants, black pepper, and firm tannins.
Score: 9 ¼. Nearly excellent. +3+2+2.

Conclusion: a very well crafted Zinfandel, though it should achieve greater harmony with a few more years of aging. 92/100. The 2021 Rattlesnake Ridge, in my view, left a stronger impression — California delivered many remarkable Zins that year.