Top Rated Zinfandel

Zinfandel wine is considered to be the emblem of great Californian wine. The grapes are of Croatian origin, which are now indigenous to California. 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.

Beekeeper
2012 "Black Bee" Old Vine Reserve Zinfandel
Howell Mountain, CA
16/20
$75

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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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Beekeeper
2010 Madrone Spring Vineyard Zinfandel
Rockpile, CA
15/20
$60

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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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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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Portalupi Winery
2012 Old Vine Zinfandel
Russian River Valley, CA
15/20
$48

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Rosenblum Cellars
2008 Rockpile Road Vineyard Zinfandel
Sonoma Valley, CA
15/20
$18

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V. Sattui
2009 Gilsson Vineyard Zinfandel
Russian River Valley, CA
15/20
$37

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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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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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Cortello Wine
2012 Zinfandel
Napa Valley, CA
14.5/20
$45

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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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Dutcher Crossing
2010 Proprietor's Reserve Zinfandel
Dry Creek Valley, CA
14.5/20
$29

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Eristavi Family Winery
2009 Zinfandel
Dry Creek Valley, CA
14.5/20
$32

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Fritz Winery
2010 Reserve Zinfandel
Cloverdale, CA
14.5/20
$60

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Herzog Wine Cellars
2005 Special Reserve Lodi Zinfandel
Lodi, CA
14.5/20
$34

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Hooker
2010 "Blind Side" Zinfandel
California
14.5/20
$18

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Kuleto Estate
2006 Zinfandel
Napa Valley, CA
14.5/20
$40

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Robert Renzoni
2010 Old Vine Zinfandel
Cucamonga Valley, CA
14.5/20
$34

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Rosenblum Cellars
2008 Maggie's Reserve Zinfandel
Sonoma Valley, CA
14.5/20
$45

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Scott Harvey
2009 Vineyard 1869 Zinfandel
Amador County, CA
14.5/20
$45

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Seghesio
2010 Cortina Zinfandel
Dry Creek Valley, CA
14.5/20
$38

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

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Clif Family Winery
2008 Gary's Improv Napa Valley Zinfandel
Napa Valley, CA
14/20
$28

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Cline Cellars
2012 Sonoma Zinfandel
Sonoma, CA
14/20
$30

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Crooked Path
2011 Zinfandel
Paso Robles, CA
14/20
$25

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

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Bradford Mountain
2011 Dry Creek Zinfandel
Dry Creek Valley, CA
13.5/20
$22

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

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