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The 2023 ‘Geyserville’ is a marvelous, silky blend of mainly Zinfandel (70%) with 18% Carignane, 9% Petite Sirah and a touch of Alicante Boushet. Very dark in the glass, this delivers beautiful violet rose petals alongside mocha, tar, Cuban cigar and notes of garrigue with loganberry compote. The palate is fresh and refined, with an elegant mid-palate mouthfeel and light dusting of salinity. Well-structured and weighted, offering plenty of depth and flavor density, this is a marvelous effort that has yet to fully hit its stride —- but the incredible potential is there. The combination of weight and tension suggests this will be very long-lived. Give this another year in the cellar before uncorking. Drink 2026-2045.

Blending 76% Zinfandel, 14% Petite Sirah, 7% Carignane, 2% Alicante Bouschet and 1% Mataro from an estate vineyard in Dry Creek Valley purchased in 1972, the 2023 Zinfandel Lytton Springs exhibits initial chewiness that leads to fine tannins, with a good heft and underlying acidity. Well-woven oak supports a moderately ripe, medium-bodied frame of structured elegance, aged in 100% air-dried American oak. Enjoy now through 2033. (VB)

An absolute classic rendition of Zinfandel this legendary, historic site. There tons of rich, brambly fruit from the old vine Zin, but also real substance and complexity from the inclusion of Alicante Bouchet and a Primitivo clone brought here by Italian immigrants over a century ago. The wine shows a real sense of place with a crushed rock and ferrous mineral tone from red iron-rich loam and volcanic cobblestones that define the soils of the site. The picture perfect growing season in 2023 gave this wine lots of vibrancy and focus to balance all that old vine concentration and potency. The subtle use of both French and American oak is a well known signature when combined with this beautiful fruit. The value here, as with all the Anonymous wines is simply outstanding! Enjoy!

Bid on this 9-bottle tasting lot; including 4-bottles of 2007 Rubicon Estate "Captain's Reserve" Carneros Pinot Noir, 2-bottles of 2007 Rubicon Estate "Captain's Reserve" Napa Valley Syrah, 1-bottle of 2007 Rubicon Estate "Captain's Reserve" Rutherford Zinfandel, 1-bottle of 2008 Rubicon Estate "Captain's Reserve" Rutherford Zinfandel, and 1-bottle of 2008 Rubicon Estate "Captain's Reserve" Napa Valley Syrah. Of the 2008 Rubicon Estate "Captain's Reserve" Napa Valley Syrah, Named for Captain Gustave Niebaum, Rubicon's estate Syrah shows the level of care and attention given not just to Cabernet Sauvignon, but to their other varietals, as well. The low-yielding 2008 vintage resulted in ripe, balanced fruit with highly concentrated and intense aromatics. This is a fragrant and floral Syrah with a great combination of ripeness and verve, energetically capturing both ends of the spectrum of the varietal.

From the iconic and historic Evangelho Vineyard owned and farmed by Bedrock Wine Co. These vines were planted in 1888. They grown on thier own roots in 30+ ft of pure sand in the town of Antioch. It is truly a special vineyard and unique terroir. Precedent was founded by winemaker Nathan Kandler in 2006. Precedent grew from a small side project into a focused exploration of California’s historic and often overlooked vineyard sites. While Kandler is also known for his work at Thomas Fogarty Winery, Precedent allows him to spotlight old-vine plantings and heritage varieties such as Chenin Blanc, Carignane, Mataro, Riesling, and Zinfandel from distinctive vineyards across California.

Ridge Vineyards’ modern history began in 1962 with its first Monte Bello vintage. The winery’s long association with Zinfandel includes its inaugural Geyserville bottling in 1966. The 2025 Coast Range continues that California focus as a Zinfandel-based red blend.

A big, robust, warming wine from one of the brand's traditional single-vineyard sources in Dry Creek Valley. Broad, ripe and jammy. Full-bodied, saturated with blackberries, blueberries, black pepper and baked cherries, with soft tannins and a sense of sweetness. Drink or hold. (JG)

The 2023 Zinfandel Pagani Ranch is from a simply gorgeous and truly historic site, made in an elegant, medium-bodied style and blending 79% Zinfandel, 10% Alicante Bouschet, 9% Petite Sirah and 2% Mataro, fermented separately until the final blend. Citrus, orange peel, and honeycomb highlight a complex framework of Old World dustiness and savory delight. Juicy red fruit, light spice, and a gorgeously silky texture continue the theme. This is one to age another 10-15 years. (VB)

From the historic Kirchenmann Vineyard owned and farmed by Tegan Passalacqua of Turley / Sandlands. This vineyard was planted in 1915 and still grows to this day on its own roots. The soils here is a fine sandy loam with an unusual limestone layer some 15-20ft down. Precedent Wines was founded by winemaker Nathan Kandler in 2006. Precedent grew from a small side project into a focused exploration of California’s historic and often overlooked vineyard sites. While Kandler is also known for his work at Thomas Fogarty Winery, Precedent allows him to spotlight old-vine plantings and heritage varieties such as Chenin Blanc, Carignane, Mataro, Riesling, and Zinfandel from distinctive vineyards across California. Production is intentionally small, with an emphasis on site transparency and traditional winemaking. Kandler works with meticulously farmed vineyards, frequently choosing parcels outside California’s most famous appellations, and favors native fermentations, restrained oak use, and minimal intervention in the cellar.

This is showing aromas of dried cranberry, clove, grilled herb and baked plum. It’s full-bodied with ripe and broad tannins. A little jammy, but balanced. Drink now or hold. (CN)

This wine is an elegantly-styled Turley offering (from a vineyard planted in 1906). It displays a tell-tale jammy raspberry, kirsch, peppery nose, as well as rich, nicely-textured, full-bodied flavors, and outstanding balance and purity. (RP)

A composition of the best barrels and lots of the year, the 2023 Zinfandel California is sourced from the Old Hill Ranch, Monte Rosso, Bedrock, and Belany vineyards in the Russian River Valley, with just a touch from Beeson. The idea is to offer a complete picture of Zinfandel here in this vintage. In the glass, it reveals layers of red raspberries, a hint of sweet cedar, forest earth, sweet herbs, and a floral perfume of fresh lavender. Full-bodied, it boasts ripe, well-defined tannins and a long-lasting finish. (AF)

Ridge first produced Geyserville in 1966, making it one of the winery’s longest-running wines. Its identity is rooted in the historic mixed plantings of Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley, where Zinfandel grows alongside Carignane and Petite Sirah—a vineyard tradition central to Geyserville’s story.

Made since 2001 from a number of Sonoma County vineyards, the 2023 Three Valleys blends 71% Zinfandel, 16% Carignane, 9% Petite Sirah, 2% each Mataro and Alicante Bouschet from Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma Valley, and Russian River Valley. Floral, it is complex and less rustic than usual, the vintage showing classic charm and elegance. Though it is one of Ridge's largest production wines, it is made in the exact same way as all its others, in open top tanks with real oak and native fermentations. It's meant to represent a vintage more than a location. A popular by-the-glass pour, order it when you see it. It's drinking well now and should continue to for another 5-7 years. (VB)

Power, structure and complexity all come together in this spicy, full-flavored and relatively tannic wine. Wafting from the glass, black pepper, blackberries and hints of smoky oak meld on the palate with rich, saturated black fruits, grilled plums and singed sage. *Cellar Selection* (JG)

A 100% Zin from a single-vineyard estate of organically grown grapes in iron-rich soils, the 2023 Zinfandel East Bench is one of the producer's only 100% Zins, and it is special at that, with mind-blowing structure. Medium-bodied and remarkably light on its feet, it has classic brambly berry fruit, dusty tannins, and seasonings of baking spice, a fantastically elegant representation of the appellation when in the right hands. Enjoy now through 2033.

There are many locations where old vine material is used in Lodi. I love that these vineyards are being honored and utilized more in selections offered to enjoy. I like to quote this classic expression of Zinfandel as having so many different “faces”. While this wine is robust, it is still fresh and bright, with aromas of Boysenberry, dark plum, Tahitian vanilla, and notes of violet on the nose. The flavors on the palate are Blackberry jam, coffee beans, molasses, and grilled citrus slices, with simmering spices and grippy tannins on the finish. Aerate and enjoy with smoked brisket. *Editors' Choice* (TP)

Officially certified regeneratively organic, with Tablas Creek among their few peers in this category, the 2024 Bedrock Vineyard Heritage Wine comes from the original vineyard where everything began for them. More reserved aromatically at first, it slowly reveals red fruits, mint, saline minerality, and brilliant mouthwatering acidity. Structured and detailed, it has excellent length and should age beautifully over the next two decades.

The 2024 Zinfandel Juvenile is a very pretty entry-level offering from Turley. Crushed flowers, sweet red berry fruit, spice and mint give this mid-weight, perfumed red tons of character. The 2024 is an especially delicate, gracious Zinfandel. What a beauty. (AG)

A dynamic Zin, rich and structured, this is jammed with personality, offering blackberry and cherry flavors accented by licorice, fruitcake spice and savory briar tones that build polish on the lush finish. Drink now through 2036. (TF)

Blending 76% Zinfandel, 14% Petite Sirah, 7% Carignane, 2% Alicante Bouschet and 1% Mataro from an estate vineyard in Dry Creek Valley purchased in 1972, the 2023 Zinfandel Lytton Springs exhibits initial chewiness that leads to fine tannins, with a good heft and underlying acidity. Well-woven oak supports a moderately ripe, medium-bodied frame of structured elegance, aged in 100% air-dried American oak. Enjoy now through 2033.

Supple yet zesty at the core, with expressive flavors of cherry, savory anise and cracked pepper that finish with briary tannins. Drink now through 2033. (TF)

Polished and detailed, with multilayered raspberry and cherry flavors that take on toasty spice, garrigue and savory pepper tones as this builds richness toward supple tannins. Drink now through 2035.

The 2023 Zinfandel Dragon Vineyard is a seriously forbidding wine with tons of mountain structure, acid and tannin. Unyielding and imposing, the Dragon is searing in its intensity. Red fruit, blood orange, chalk, mint and white pepper all race across the palate, supported by incisive, pointy tannins. Iron, white flowers and slate lend notable tension through the finish. (AG)

Founded in 1962 by 19 grape growers in Puglia, San Marzano has its roots in the region’s cooperative winemaking tradition. Its 2020 “Sessantanni” showcases Primitivo, a grape genetically identical to Zinfandel. Those two names connect Puglia’s wine heritage with a variety closely associated with California, while reflecting distinct regional identities.

Sour cherries, sultanas, dried oranges and sweet spices on the nose, followed by a medium- to full-bodied, jammy and lightly sweet-sour palate. Ripe tannins. Drink now. (CN)

Bid on this bottle of 1968 Mayacamas Late Harvest Zinfandel. Mayacamas Vineyards is a California wine producer located in the Mt. Veeder AVA in the Mayacamas Mountains within the Napa Valley AVA, bordering the Sonoma Valley AVA. The estate is known for producing wine of a more traditional style than the Napa trends of recent years that emphasizes power, weight, high levels of alcohol and extravagance.Cultivating Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, and small blocks of Sauvignon blanc, Pinot noir, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the vineyard area extends 53 acres (21 ha).The winery produces approximately a total of 5, 000 cases of wine per year. On average there is produced 2, 000 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon and 2, 000 cases of Chardonnay. There is also produced approximately 600 cases of Sauvignon Blanc as well as a few hundred cases of Pinot Noir.

Bid on this 5-bottle lot of 2002 Gary Farrell "Maple Vineyard—Tina's Block" Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel.

Founded by Jay Heminway in 1977, Green & Red is an estate rooted in Napa Valley’s Chiles Valley, where Zinfandel has long been central to the vineyard program. This 2018 estate bottling comes from the producer’s Chiles Mill Vineyard, connecting a single vineyard site with the winery’s longstanding focus on the variety.

Styled like the Zins of old, this is zesty and briary but with claretlike elegance. Flavors of cherry and raspberry are laced with anise, sage and cracked pepper. Drink now through 2033.

A Zin with pizzaz and an easygoing personality, this serves up lively cherry, cranberry, grilled sage and black pepper flavors that end on a perky note. Drink now through 2031. *Smart Buys* (TF)

A super-distinctive, big and concentrated wine that blends typical zinfandel ripeness and overt fruitiness with subtle sage, mineral and white pepper accents. It's complex and layered, with elevated alcohol but vivid acidity to balance it. Made from vines planted in the 19th century on a mountaintop site. Drink now or hold.

The 2023 Zinfandel Paso Robles is made from 100% Zinfandel grown at Benito Dusi Ranch, the vines old and established; Ridge's first vintage was 1967. Featuring full-bodied, jammy red fruit, it is juicy, broad, and fleshy while also offering a high-toned, restrained style. A hallmark of the vineyard is its great acidity, with brightness a consistent characteristic across vintages. Round, it's not sweet but allows enough sweetness from the fruit to be lush and appealing from start to finish, spending 12 months in 15% new American oak. Drink now through 2033. (VB)

Robust, generous and savory-edged aromas of blackberries, peppercorns, spices and earth. The palate is full-bodied with soft tannins, balanced acidity and a supple, fruit-driven finish. Drink or hold.

Founded in Rutherford in 1972 by Chuck Wagner and his parents, Charlie and Lorna, Caymus remains closely associated with the Wagner family’s California winemaking history. This 2021 bottling turns the family’s attention to Zinfandel under a broad California appellation.

The 2021 Zinfandel Estate Grown, with 5% Petite Sirah and 2% Malbec in the blend, is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. It rolls out with fragrant notes of baked black cherries, fruitcake, and raspberry preserves plus hints of Chinese five spice, rose oil, and black tea. The full-bodied palate delivers great tension and intensity, with lightly chewy tannins and a long perfumed finish.

Product details coming soon.

the 2023 Zinfandel Piner-Olivet Ranches is a saturated red color and amplifies things with its more forward, layered feel, offering aromas of kirsch, bright pepper spice, cedar, and fresh flowers .The acidity shines through more vibrantly compared to the Sonoma Valley wines, with a more electric feel, ripe tannins, and a long finish. It reminds me of great Barbera, retaining both ripeness and vibrant acidity. It’s a tremendous vintage of this wine to drink over the coming 12-15 years. Mike Officer’s 2023s are exceptional and should not be missed. Backed by his decades-long dedication to seeking out and championing exceptional sites and farmers, these wines deliver hedonistic pleasure and intellectual curiosity in spades. Not to mention, they far overdeliver for the price points.

The 2024 Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard is one of the standouts in this vintage. Rich and sumptuous but also light on its feet, the 2024 opens with deeply pitched aromatics. Silky, nuanced tannins help shape this striking, mid-weight Zinfandel. The 2024 screams with varietal character. What a looker. (AG)

This intense, high altitude old vine Zin shows focused aromas of blackberry, plum and black pepper on the nose. The palate shows balance between gripping tannin, plush acidity and flavors of fresh cherry, licorice, irony minerality and zesty orange that explode along the finish. Best from 2030-2045.

Amador County’s viticultural roots reach back to California’s Gold Rush era, when vineyards took hold across the Sierra Foothills. Sobon’s 2023 “Rocky Top” carries that regional tradition forward through Zinfandel, a grape with a particularly long association with the county.

An engaging red, with sleekly layered cherry and raspberry flavors highlighted by roasted sage, fresh violet and pepper flavors that end with refined tannins. Drink now through 2035. (TF)

The 2023 Teldeschi Ranch Heritage Wine is a dark, mysterious wine. Black cherry, plum, licorice, cloves and lavender all meld together in the glass. Succulent contours wrap it all together in style. This plush yet mid-weight Zinfandel-based field blend has so much to offer. Dry Creek is rarely this finessed. (AG)

Brambly and dynamic, with cherry and raspberry flavors highlighted by briar patch, pepper and roasted anise notes. Finishes with zesty tannins. Drink now through 2034. (TF)

The 2023 Zinfandel Steacey Ranch is packed with wild cherry, incense, tobacco, licorice, menthol, cloves and scorched earth. This is an especially virile, imposing Zinfandel. Carignane, Grenache and Mission round out the blend from this site planted on sand and gravel. (AG)

A fresh and fruity red that emphasizes effusive red fruit, good ripeness and light tannins on a full body. Red plums, raspberries and hints of black pepper and basil on the palate. Well balanced for its size. Drink now. (JG)

The 2023 Zinfandel Dusi Vineyard is fruity, creamy, full, cordial, deep, and round. Fleshy and opulent, it has a lot of immediate charm. Drink over the coming 6-8 years, though it could age longer for all I know. Drink 2026-2040.

Briary and brooding, this dark red offers distinctive blackberry and currant flavors infused with chunky chocolate, licorice and fruitcake spices while gathering richness and texture toward medium-grained tannins. Zinfandel. Drink now through 2035. (TF)