2022 Saddleback Zinfandel Calistoga Napa Valley

2022 Saddleback Zinfandel Calistoga Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50CalistogaKevin VogtNapaUSAZinfandel

Saddleback

Zinfandel 2022
Calistoga, Napa Valley

2022 Saddleback Zinfandel Calistoga Napa Valley

Calistoga Zinfandel takes on a deeper, more resonant voice in the 2022 Saddleback Cellars offering, where old vines translate warmth and intensity into depth and composure. The fruit arrives with presence, carried by a steady sense of control that shapes power into structure, revealing a wine defined by precision, balance, and composed authority.

The foundation lies in carefully selected old-vine sites in Calistoga, where smaller yields concentrate flavor while preserving energy. These mature vines bring layered depth, capturing both the warmth of the valley floor and the lift that defines the region at its best. This interplay gives the wine its sense of movement, where richness and freshness exist in seamless alignment.

What emerges is a Zinfandel of striking precision, its structure holding firm from the first impression through a long, composed finish. That control reflects the influence of Nils Venge, who has spent decades shaping wines that balance power with poise. That legacy comes through in every detail in this release, directing intensity into a form that feels both enduring and complete.

Saddleback
Zinfandel 2022
Calistoga, Napa Valley
Retails at: $56

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“Plump and brooding, with deep and ripe blackberry, cassis, licorice and toasty spice flavors that finish with briary tannins. Drink now through 2032. 782 cases made.”

92 Points

2023 Robert Biale Black Chicken Zinfandel Napa Valley

2023 Robert Biale Black Chicken Zinfandel Napa Valley

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Robert Biale

Black Chicken Zinfandel
Napa Valley 2023

2023 Robert Biale Black Chicken Zinfandel Napa Valley

Some wines are born of soil, while others are born of story. Black Chicken is both. Conceived on the Biale family farm in the 1940s as a code whispered over a crackling party-line phone, this Zinfandel has grown into one of Napa Valley’s most revered gems. The 2023 vintage carries that history forward with fresh intensity, a wine that unites heritage with the precision of modern craftsmanship.

Black Chicken is shaped by the Oak Knoll District, where the Biale family has tended their home ranch since the 1930s. This cooler pocket of Napa lends the wine its hallmark freshness and balance, characterized by bright acidity, supple tannins, and fruit that sings with clarity, giving Black Chicken its unmistakable voice.

From vineyard to cellar, every detail of the 2023 vintage was shaped with purpose, yielding a Zinfandel of extraordinary character. Vibrant fruit, supple tannins, and an enduring finish make this release one of the most complete Black Chickens to date. This is a Zinfandel that transcends trend or time, standing proudly as one of Napa Valley’s enduring treasures.

Robert Biale
Black Chicken Zinfandel
Napa Valley 2023

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“A big but cool and well-balanced wine that is full-bodied but fresh. Made from vines averaging 40 years old and from mostly cool parts of Napa Valley, including the Biale family’s vineyard planted in 1937. Moderate tannins lift the vivid raspberry, blackberry, black pepper and umami flavors. Drink or hold.”

94 Points

2022 Florence Reserve Zinfandel Rockpile Sonoma County

2022 Florence Reserve Zinfandel Rockpile Sonoma County

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Florence

Reserve Zinfandel
Rockpile 2022
Sonoma County

2022 Florence Reserve Zinfandel Rockpile Sonoma County

High above the fog line, Rockpile vines live in a state of constant exposure, where elevation and wind shape the season and strip away excess. The 2022 Florence Vineyard Reserve Zinfandel captures that environment, translating altitude into focus and rugged terrain into precision. It is Zinfandel elevated in both expression and intent.

At this elevation, the Florence Vineyard rises above the densest valley fog while remaining shaped by strong, cooling winds. These conditions extend the growing season, thicken skins, and concentrate flavor without sacrificing freshness. In 2022, that balance yielded fruit of remarkable intensity and definition, carrying the vineyard’s natural rigor directly into the wine.

What ultimately defines the vintage is its energy. Concentrated fruit moves in step with lift and structure, creating a Zinfandel that feels dynamic rather than dense. Each sip bears the imprint of wind and altitude, delivering power with control and a finish that remains vivid, focused, and assured.

Florence
Reserve Zinfandel
Rockpile 2022
Sonoma County
Retails at: $60

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“Deep, dark and very spicy, this black-fruited Zin displays aromas of blackberry and plum on the nose. These give way to flavors of black cherry, dark chocolate and licorice that wash across the palate with powerful, ageworthy tannins. Lay this down for a few years, then enjoy with barbecued pork ribs.”

94 Points, Cellar Selection

2023 Gamba MCM Estate Zinfandel Russian River Valley

251229 2023 Gamba MCM Estate Zinfandel Russian River Valley

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Gamba

MCM Estate Zinfandel
Russian River Valley 2023

2023 Gamba MCM Estate Zinfandel Russian River Valley

Most wines draw their character from climate and soil; Gamba MCM Zinfandel draws as much from time itself. A century of growth rings lies within those vine trunks, and the depth of the fruit reflects that history. The wine is bold but not brash, structured without rigidity, carrying a personality shaped by decades of vines pushing through hardship and flourishing because of it.

Gus Gamba allows that legacy to speak without interference, relying on indigenous yeast and gentle handling to preserve every nuance the vineyard offers. In the 2023 vintage, the site’s voice comes through with uncommon precision. Nothing in the cellar seeks to sculpt the wine’s natural character; instead, the winemaking reveals the vineyard’s imprint with striking clarity.

Each element of the 2023 MCM Zinfandel feels deliberately tuned, from the fruit’s natural richness to the subtle oak framing. The wine moves with layered dimension, velvety at the start, expansive across the palate, and confident in its lingering finish. It is the product of a vineyard that has endured for generations and of a winemaker who knows how to translate continuity into something undeniably alive.

Gamba
MCM Estate Zinfandel
Russian River Valley 2023
Retails at: $69

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“The Gamba 2023 MCM Russian River Valley Old Vine Zinfandel opens with vibrant notes of juicy cherries, cranberries, and wild blackberries with underlying notes of Christmas spices and toast. On the palate, the wine has a silky smooth approach with flavors of bramble fruit, dark cherry, and boysenberry compote, complemented with savory undertones of tobacco leaf and dried herbs. The wine has supple tannins and finishes with a finely textured, velvety mouthfeel.”

94 Points

2021 Florence Reserve Zinfandel Rockpile Sonoma County

2021 Florence Reserve Zinfandel Rockpile Sonoma County

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtSonomaSonoma ValleyUSAZinfandel

Florence

Reserve Zinfandel
Rockpile 2021
Sonoma County

2021 Florence Reserve Zinfandel Rockpile Sonoma County

Few places challenge a vine like Rockpile. Perched on a ridge above Lake Sonoma, where the wind never rests and the soil fractures like ancient bone, the Florence Vineyard defines what it means for a vine to struggle and to triumph. From this unforgiving terrain emerges the 2021 Florence Vineyard Reserve Rockpile Zinfandel, a wine that channels its hardship into strength. The result is a Zinfandel that captures both the wildness of altitude and the refinement of mastery.

Long before Rockpile was recognized as an appellation, Jack Florence Jr. saw its promise. He carved his vineyard into the rocky hillsides with the conviction that hardship breeds distinction. Decades later, his 2021 Florence Vineyard Reserve Zinfandel affirms that vision: a wine of intensity and grace, rooted in heritage cuttings from the storied St. Peter’s Church clone and elevated by the restless energy of the mountain.

Only 235 cases were produced, each bottle an unfiltered glimpse into one of Sonoma’s most demanding landscapes. The 2021 vintage speaks in layers of blackberry, cracked pepper, and wild herbs framed by minerality and tension. It’s a wine that feels alive, pulsing with the elevation that shaped it, the craftsmanship that guided it, and the patience that allowed it to find its voice.

Florence
Reserve Zinfandel
Rockpile 2021
Sonoma County
Retails at: $60

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“Lush, almost creamy in texture, this complex, high powered and deeply fruity wine boasts distinctive black pepper and singed sage flavors atop its deep black cherries and blackberries. Moderate to full tannins give it a good backbone for pairing with big proteins. Best from 2025–2035.”

94 Points

2022 Mike & Molly Hendry Zinfandel R. W. Moore Vineyard Napa Valley

2022 Mike & Molly Hendry Zinfandel R. W. Moore Vineyard Napa Valley

with No Comment $30-$40CoombsvilleKevin VogtNapaUSAZinfandel

Mike & Molly Hendry

Zinfandel 2022
R.W. Moore Vineyard
Coombsville, Napa Valley

2022 Mike & Molly Hendry Zinfandel R. W. Moore Vineyard Napa Valley

Few wines can claim a lineage as storied as Mike & Molly Hendry’s 2022 R.W. Moore Vineyard Zinfandel. Sourced from vines planted in 1905, this wine embodies Napa’s earliest viticultural chapters, still dry-farmed and head-trained, yielding fruit that speaks with both power and precision. Its gnarled vines produce a Zinfandel of remarkable freshness, offering a rare glimpse into the valley’s heritage.

This historic site is lovingly cared for by Molly’s uncle, Bill Moore, whose stewardship has safeguarded the vines for generations. Recognized by the U.C. Davis Heritage Project for its unique genetic material, the vineyard stands as a relic of the past and a living laboratory, ensuring its legacy will continue to inform California viticulture for generations.

Mike & Molly craft the wine with a light hand, allowing the vineyard to speak first. Fermented and aged in French oak, with portions in neutral barrels to preserve purity, the 2022 Zinfandel balances richness with elegance. Its supple texture and polished tannins carry flavors of dark fruit and spice in a seamless arc that lingers long after each sip, giving an elegant reminder of what Napa Zinfandel can achieve.

Mike & Molly Hendry
Zinfandel 2022
R.W. Moore Vineyard
Coombsville, Napa Valley
Retails at: $44

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“From a Coombsville vineyard planted in 1905 (once made by Turley and offered as Moore Earthquake), Mike and Molly Hendry’s 2022 Zinfandel R.W. Moore Vineyard is a beauty and very reasonably priced for the quality. This dry-farmed, head-trained old vineyard is actually about 95% Zinfandel, with small proportions of Mourtaou (Cabernet Pfeffer), Carignan, Mourvèdre and Petite Sirah. Complex fruit notes of stone fruit, plum and black cherries mark the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is silky and expansive without being at all overweight or cooked and boasts a long, fresh finish.”

93 Points

2023 Gamba MCM Estate Zinfandel Russian River Valley

2023 Gamba MCM Estate Zinfandel Russian River Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtRussian River ValleySonomaUSAZinfandel

Gamba

MCM Estate Zinfandel
Russian River Valley 2023

2023 Gamba MCM Estate Zinfandel Russian River Valley

Born from one of California’s oldest dry-farmed vineyards, the 2023 Gamba MCM Estate Zinfandel delivers a striking tribute to a century of continuous heritage. Rooted in a delicate balance of soil and climate, Gamba’s Estate Vineyard stands as a benchmark for sustainable viticulture, producing intensely concentrated Zinfandel from impossibly small yields.

With the 2023 MCM Zinfandel, Gamba masterfully celebrates a vineyard that has become a cherished symbol of Russian River Valley viticulture. Known for producing grapes brimming with lively, succulent fruit, this historic site imparts layers of complexity accentuated through indigenous yeast fermentation.

Aged gracefully in American and French oak, the 2023 vintage exemplifies Gamba’s signature style: richly textured yet impeccably balanced. Carefully crafted, it reveals astonishing depth, intricate detail, and a lingering finish that echoes its remarkable lineage, offering an homage to one of Sonoma’s oldest vineyards.

Gamba
MCM Estate Zinfandel
Russian River Valley 2023
Retails at: $69

Your Price: $49.99

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“The Gamba 2023 MCM Russian River Valley Old Vine Zinfandel opens with vibrant notes of juicy cherries, cranberries, and wild blackberries with underlying notes of Christmas spices and toast. On the palate, the wine has a silky smooth approach with flavors of bramble fruit, dark cherry, and boysenberry compote, complemented with savory undertones of tobacco leaf and dried herbs. The wine has supple tannins and finishes with a finely textured, velvety mouthfeel.”

94 Points

2021 Scarlett Zinfandel McGah Vineyard Rutherford Estate

2021 Scarlett Zinfandel McGah Vineyard Rutherford Estate

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Scarlett

Zinfandel 2021
McGah Vineyard
Rutherford Estate

2021 Scarlett Zinfandel McGah Vineyard Rutherford Estate

Scarlett’s 2021 Zinfandel vividly embodies the generosity of Rutherford’s storied terroir through a vibrant lens. Born from soils enriched by centuries of mountain runoff, woven with gravelly loam and sandy alluvium, this wine draws its essence from Napa Valley’s heart. Here, Zinfandel flourishes, intertwining bold raspberry, wild bramble, and exotic spice into an evocative tapestry that honors Rutherford’s heritage while forging a distinct path.

Renowned winemaker Mike Smith skillfully crafts this captivating Zinfandel, drawing on artistry honed alongside Napa’s Thomas Rivers Brown. Celebrated for his work at distinguished estates like Maybach Family, Carter Cellars, and Tamber Bey, Smith infuses this wine with striking depth and seamless balance, masterfully blending vibrant fruit intensity with graceful refinement.

Emerging from the remarkable 2021 vintage, this wine exudes charm and accessibility. Beneath its lively character lies a deeper narrative—a profound connection to place, inviting you to savor Rutherford anew.

Scarlett
Zinfandel 2021
McGah Vineyard
Rutherford Estate

Retails at: $55

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“Ripe red, blue, and black fruits, cigar, and incense notes all emerge from the 2021 Zinfandel, a brilliant example of the variety that’s medium to full-bodied, has a soft, supple mouthfeel, fine tannins, and a great finish. This complex, layered, incredibly satisfying wine will evolve for 7-8 years and is well worth drinking.”

94 Points

2021 Summit Lake Zinfandel Howell Mountain

2021 Summit Lake Zinfandel Howell Mountain

with No Comment $40-$50Howell MountainKevin VogtNapaUSAZinfandel

Summit Lake

Zinfandel 2021
Howell Mountain

2021 Summit Lake Zinfandel Howell Mountain

Summit Lake Vineyards’ 2021 Estate Zinfandel weaves a compelling tale of heritage, dedication, and the distinctive terroir of Howell Mountain. Here, among ancient, head-trained Zinfandel vines nurtured by vintners Bob and Sally Brakesman, the mountain’s bold essence shines through in every vibrant sip. At this lofty elevation, lively fruit intertwines with deep, concentrated flavors, embodying the heart of this celebrated appellation.

Founded in 1971, Summit Lake Vineyards spans a scenic 28-acre estate, home to eight acres of historic Zinfandel vines—some rooted in the pre-Prohibition era. These time-honored vines, having weathered over a century of harvests, impart profound depth and character to the wine.

Howell Mountain, known for its robust and intricate reds, provides a perfect stage for Zinfandel. The 2021 vintage, crafted from a blend of heritage vines dating to 1900 and younger plantings from the early 2000s, delivers a captivating, richly layered wine. Bursting with youthful energy yet steeped in tradition, it offers a memorable expression of Howell Mountain’s iconic spirit.

Summit Lake
Zinfandel 2021
Howell Mountain

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“The Summit Lake 2021 Howell Mountain Estate Zinfandel opens with vibrancy and fresh notes of black cherries and raspberries, complemented with Baker’s chocolate, clove, and white pepper spice. On the palate, the wine has flavors of blackberries, boysenberries, fudge brownies, cinnamon, and a specific graphite-like minerality that is typically found in Howell Mountain fruit. The wine has a smooth texture and velvety tannins that coat your mouth as the wine finishes with finesse and grace. Not even close to being overripe or jammy, this wine shows the elegant side of Zinfandel with impeccable balance.”

94 Points

2021 Limerick Lane Zinfandel Russian River Valley

2021 Limerick Lane Zinfandel Russian River Valley

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Limerick Lane

Zinfandel 2021
Russian River Valley

2021 Limerick Lane Zinfandel Russian River Valley

Limerick Lane stands as a beacon for classic American Zinfandel, where tradition meets innovation to honor the soul of this noble varietal. Renowned for crafting fresh, focused, and impeccably balanced wines, Limerick Lane brings Zinfandel’s unique character to life, showcasing vibrant fruit, complex layers, and a profound sense of place.

This historic estate has remained deeply rooted in its heritage for over a century, committed to sustainable farming practices and a thoughtful approach to viticulture. By relying on minimal, strategic irrigation, their vineyards produce fruit of unparalleled concentration and aromatic depth, reflecting their harmonious relationship between land and vine.

Winemaker Chris Pittenger intentionally curates the vineyard composition of each vintage, seeking out fruit to create the most balanced wine possible. The 2021 vintage embodies the spirit of the Russian River Valley, with perfectly ripe, bright fruit accented by refreshing acidity and an ideal balance of flavors.

Limerick Lane
Zinfandel 2021
Russian River Valley
Retails at: $46

Your Price: $42

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“A bright saturated ruby, the 2021 Zinfandel Russian River Valley is lifted with fresh aromas of candied peach, grenadine, and pressed red flowers. Medium to full-bodied, with great energy in its notes of fresh mixed berries, gravelly earth, and mocha, it’s an elegant wine with fine tannins, a stony texture, and a good, clean finish. It’s a fantastic entry to the wines from Limerick Lane to drink over the next several years.”

93 Points