Tasting Notes

Zinfandel, often referred to as "America's Heritage wine," has a rich history that traces its origins back to Croatian grape Crljenak Kaštelanski and the Italian Primitivo grape. The grape was introduced in the USA in the early to mid 19th century. By the late 19th century, it was one of the most widely planted grape variety in California. It was particularly favoured as it has the ability to produce a variety of wine styles from robust reds to sweet rosés.

🎯 Overall Character - Zinfandel is best described as bold, jammy, spicy, and warm. It is a fruit‑driven rich wine with exotic spice and plush texture. The colour is deep, tannins soft and alcohol level high.

🍒 On the Nose (Aromatics) - Zinfandel shows a vivid, ripe and often jammy aromatic profile of blackberry, strawberry, peach preserves, boysenberry, rhubarb, cassis , fresh herbs, baking spice, mocha, cinnamon, and sweet tobacco. These aromatics can swing from red to black fruit depending on ripeness (a hallmark of Zinfandel).

🍷 On the Palate - Zinfandel is a dry wine, medium‑full bodied, medium‑high tannins, mellow to medium acidity. High in alcohol, the wine is often over 15% ABV. Flavours include blackberry, plum jam, cherry, strawberry, blackberry and blueberry. These are the benchmark notes. Also present are secondary and tertiary flavours of vanilla, cinnamon, sweet tobacco, mocha and baking spice. The palate is typically rich, warm, and fruit‑driven, with a long, spicy finish.

🌍 Style Range

• California Zinfandel (classic style) - Jammy berry fruit, high alcohol, baking spice, mocha and sweet tobacco with a plush texture.

• Napa Zinfandel (premium examples) - Boysenberry, cassis, rhubarb, cedar, tobacco and mint. More structure and higher acidity.

• White Zinfandel (rosé) - Sweet with aromas of strawberries, raspberries, cherries and citrus.

🕰️ Aging Profile - Zinfandel can typically age for 5 - 10 years with Premium examples having 10+ years aging potential. As the wine ages, secondary and tertiary aromas and flavours such and baking spice become more prominent.