Zinfandel is what we call a “big” wine. A medium to full bodied red that usually comes in at the higher end of the ABV range, Zinfandels showcase bold, juicy fruit characteristics with complex notes of baking spices and a bit of smoke. You can expect to taste black berries, strawberry, cooked stone fruit, and tobacco. It’s the perfect wine for Atlanta’s “Winter 3.0”. Take a bottle home this week and treat yourself to a pairing with Moroccan-style chicken, Korean BBQ, or oven roasted vegetables.
EASTON ZINFANDEL (Amador Valley, CA)
If you're looking for classic California Zinfandel worthy of aging, Turley isn’t the only name in the game. Easton has been making beautiful wines in Amador Valley for more than twenty years now. The growing conditions in the region are particularly suitable for creating luscious, juicy wines. This Zinfandel ages for ten months in neutral oak, which helps round out the texture while allowing the rich blackberry character to shine. $21.99; available at Krog
QUIVIRA VINEYARDS ZINFANDEL (Dry Creek Valley, CA)
Much like Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel is often blended with just a touch of something else to impart some juicy lift. In this case, Petit Sirah is blended in to help intensify the rich fruit flavors and add a subtle touch of acidity. Following this, the wine sees nearly a year of oak aging, resulting in a fllavor profile that will mature gracefully over time. The palate shows lots of spice, jammy dark fruit, and a little bit of chocolate. $26.99; Available at West End
CUTTER CASCADIA COME ON COME ON (Columbia Valley, OR)
A surprising and somewhat less traditional Zinfandel, Cutter Cascadia’s Come On Come On shows what this grape can do. Hailing from the Columbia Valley, the wine is made with whole-cluster fruit and semi-carbonic maceration. The result is a bright and somewhat leaner juice, with more pronounced woody spice. In fact, this wine may remind you more of a Northern Italian style red than a bold California Zin. $35.99; Available at Krog & West End
LAPIS LUNA ZINFANDEL (North Coast, CA)
Perhaps all of the aforementioned bold and juicy characteristics sound appealing to you, but you were hoping to spend a little less? Lapis Luna Zinfandel is a great approachable and entry level bottle to try. Blended with a small portion of Sangiovese, this North Coast wine sees two years of barrel aging. The palate is rich with plums, summer berries, and blackberry cobbler. $14.99; available at Fayetteville & West End
