The next series we’re doing on Cheap Wine Ratings is California Zinfandel.  At times Zinfandel is one of my favorite varietals but sometimes it ends up just way too sweet and jammy.  Zinfandel is really a chameleon though, as its wine can have a variety of characteristics from jar-full-of-jam fruit, to spicy, to tannic, and the list goes on.  Style aside, we’re going to review a variety of California Zins to try to find the best picks under $20 no matter which style you prefer.  (Unless your style is White Zinfandel, you won’t find those reviews in this series.)

Zinfandel grapes are generally very high in sugar levels which enable them to produce high alcohol wines, some 15% and higher.  In the under $20 price range there are only a few that you’ll find at 15% alcohol and most of what we’ll feature is in the 14-14.5% range.  This is still a fairly high alcohol level which means these are mostly big and bold wines.

Another thing that you’ll notice about Zinfandel wines is that producers like to have a lot of fun with the names.  I guess the rhyme with “sin” is too much for marketing teams to resist.  You’ll find names like Cardinal Zin, 7 Deadly Zins, Twisted Zin, Sin Zin, and others.

You’ll also find a number of California Zinfandel producers who sell two-three labels of Zin at different price points.  We’ll be featuring a few posts where we review multiple Zin labels from the same producer.

The first review in this series features both fun names and multiple labels from one producer.  Alexander Valley Vineyards has a lot of fun with their Zinfandel and you’ll probably notice these ones on the shelves.  They sell two that are under $20 but we also decided to go a few dollars higher to see how their third-level Zin compares at $25.

I was pleased to find a definite improvement in quality at each higher price point. 

Temptation Zinfandel

Cherry cola and bramble nose with a hint of walnut.  Cherry, raspberry and tomato on the palate. A bit thin for a zinfandel.  The finish is quick and a touch bitter.  The yeast is very noticable in the finish of this one, which is a little weird and unpleasant.

Wine: Temptation
Varietal: Zinfandel
Vintage: 2005
Alcohol: 14.5%
Rating: 81
Price Paid: $12.99

Sin Zin

Moderately better than “Temptation,” but similar in flavor profile.  Cherry, vanilla, smoke and bramble on the nose.  Cherry, raspberry, cola and spice on the palate.  Definitely a bit more spicy than Temptation and a longer, more enjoyable finish.  This is a nice contrast to a lot of the jammy fruit Zins that you’ll find in this price range.  It’s a bit more complex and exciting.

Wine: Sin Zin
Varietal: Zinfandel
Vintage: 2005
Alcohol: 14.5%
Rating: 85
Price Paid: $16.99 

Redemption Zin

This is an elegant and exciting zinfandel.  The nose shows quite a bit of raspberry backed up by herbal and earthy aromas.  The palate is a nice spicy raspberry with a touch of cherry cola and walnut.  The finish is very long and spicy, but the spiciness isn’t as intense as the Sin Zin.  This is all around an excellent Zinfandel.  I just wish the price was a bit lower.

Wine: Redemption Zin
Varietal: Zinfandel
Vintage: 2005
Alcohol: 14.8%
Rating: 90
Price Paid: $24.99