Normally not a big Zin drinker but some solid wines at this one. Outpost with the win but for me the surprise was 8 Years in the Dessert. Tried this twice (once blind and once non blind). Found it was not so sweet and was quite balanced as previous vintages. A few wines including Caymus that were just plain awful.
Results: CellarTracker! Blind Zinfandel Event
- 2019 Ridge Zinfandel Pagani Ranch – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
Day 1: Brought as a starter wine to a blind Zin tasting. Would have finished middle of the pack but I am done buying Ridge Zins. Spice, floral, earth, black currants and dust. Rather average in quality and lacks any complexity. For the money pass. 89 points (89 pts.) - 2022 Sineann Old Vine Zinfandel – USA, Oregon, Columbia Valley
Very poorly made Zin and not well received by the group. 4th worst in the tasting. Light and thin wine with smoke, cherry and floral notes. Almost watered down and lacks concentration. The opposite of the over the top Caymus but about the same score. (80 pts.)
- 2023 Orin Swift 8 Years in the Desert – USA, California
Shocker alert in the blind tasting. This was really a solid wine. Not the Over ripeness of other vintages and 23 is an outstanding vintage in general but maybe they are dialing the over the top style back. Sweet plums, spices, smoke, dust, prunes and very powerful in general but in a good way. Medium plus finish. Nice wine overall. (91 pts.)
- 2023 Mazzocco Zinfandel Verano – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
Second favorite wine and made in a style I enjoy. Balanced with earth, cranberry, raspberries, minerals, dust and pepper. Medium finish. Nice wine. (92 pts.)
- 2021 Outpost Zinfandel Howell Mountain – USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain
Wine of the night for the group blind. My wine but prep is key as this got 8 hours of air and showing off the charts. One of the few Zins I will buy. Pepper, spices, blueberries, glycerin, dust, earth and floral notes. Medium to long finish. Does not show any heat or alcohol. Beautiful wine and will buy another bottle. (93 pts.)
- 2022 Rockpile Winery (Mauritson) Zinfandel Rockpile Ridge Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Rockpile
A solid and well made wine that probably would be two more points if decanted. Sour cherry, earth, spices, pepper and dust. Would like to see more fruit showing but maybe with more time. (90 pts.)
- 2021 Rockpile Winery (Mauritson) Zinfandel Jack’s Cabin Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Rockpile
Again both rockpile wines would benefit with decanting. Maybe half a point better than the other one. Cherry, plum, dust, floral, light pepper and earth. More fruit showing. 90.5 points (90 pts.)
- 2020 Grgich Hills Zinfandel – USA, California, Napa Valley
Ok there was something off with this bottle. Heat damage? Maybe left in a car or not stored right so can’t really review it. Nothing like previous bottles
- 2021 Mount Peak Winery Zinfandel Rattlesnake – USA, California, Sonoma County
Not bad at all. Middle of the pack tonight. Bramble, cherry, blackberries, pepper and spices. Some earthiness on the medium finish. Very drinkable. (89 pts.)
- 2025 Terre di Sanvito Primitivo Cantiniere – Italy, Puglia, Puglia IGT
When a group of 11 of mostly beginners spit a wine out at a blind event you know it is crap. This was a complete disaster and why import this into the US? Slight chemical taste along with raisins mixed with water. No concentration and this wine is Disrupted. (60 pts.)
- 2022 Caymus Zinfandel – USA, California
Oh boy was this sweet and not balanced. HOT. Prunes, spices and dust. Not sure where these grapes were sourced but guessing Lodi. (74 pts.)
- 2019 Truett-Hurst Old Vine Zinfandel Red Rooster – USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
Not bad and a massive upgrade from the Caymus. Spices, earth, some heat and menthol. Drinkable but would not buy. (87 pts.)
