ZINFANDEL RATINGS FOR SUMMER
If you’re looking for that perfect zinfandel to bring to your next cookout, you have enough common sense to know you start with one labeled Dry Creek Valley. But with over 60 wineries crafting incredible expressions of zin, it’s hard to know just which one is right. For when you need to make a quick decision, and you can’t taste through hundreds of bottles (bummer…), we suggest turning to the ratings – professional and personal.
For this all-encompassing blog we’re combining the most recent Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast ratings, regional competitions, and the more casual Vivino Top 25 and local Throwdown marks – all in a variety of price points. Let it be known that ratings aren’t the ultimate decision whether a wine is a winner because many of our smaller wineries choose not to submit wines for ratings, and all of our palates are different so the final (and most important rating) comes from you!
Vivino’s Top 25 Zinfandels in the World Right Now
Ratings change weekly based on the best consumer reviewed wines in the Vivino app.
#8 Talty’s Dry Creek Valley Estate Zinfandel 2014 4.7/5
#23 Wilson Sydney Zinfandel 2016 4.6/5
#25 Bella Vineyards Barrel 32 4.6/5
Wine Spectator Ratings
“Wine Spectator’s 100-point scale is an attempt to help our readers understand our judgments of a wine’s quality. A wine rated 80-84, for example, was judged to be good (“a solid, well-made wine”), while one rated 85-89 is very good (“a wine with special qualities”). When assigning a score, the taster judges the wine’s structure, flavors and typicity (how well it reflects its grape variety, region and vintage). In order to eliminate bias, all reviews are done “blind”—that is, the taster does not know the producer or price.” – WineSpectator.com. Ratings from the June, 30, 2018 Report.
Armida Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Maple Vineyards 2015 88pts $40
Armida Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Tina’s Block Maple Vineyards 2015 87pts $48
Armida Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Poizin 2016 87pts $25
Comstock Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley 2014 89pts $42
Dry Creek Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Old Vine 2015 89pts $35
Dry Creek Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Beeson Ranch Single Vineyard Series 2015 88pts $45
Dry Creek Zinfandel Sonoma County Heritage Vines 2016 90pts $24
Dry Creek Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley DCV2 Four Clones Vineyard Single Vineyard Series 2015 91pts $42
Kinsella Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Spencer Vineyard 2014 86pts $50
Kokomo Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Timber Crest Vineyard Winemaker’s Reserve 2015 91pts $38
Kokomo Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley 2016 90pts $28
Kokomo Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Pauline’s Vineyard 2016 91pts $36
Mauritson Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley 2015 93pts $37
Mazzocco Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Verano 2015 88pts $32
Mazzocco Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Smith Orchard Reserve 2015 88pts $52
Mazzocco Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Maple Reserve 2015 90pts $60
Papapietro Perry Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley 2015 91pts $43
Pedroncelli Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Mother Clone 2015 88pts $20
Pedroncelli Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Bushnell Vineyard 2015 91pts $25
Quivira Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley 2015 88pts $25
Quivira Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Black Boar 2015 89pts $48
Quivira Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Anderson Ranch 2015 90pts $42
Ridge Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley East Bench 2015 90pts $32
Ridge Lytton Springs Dry Creek Valley 2015 92pts $40
Saini Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Olive Block Old Vine 2014 89pts $38
Saini Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley 2016 90pts $24
Seghesio Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Cortina 2015 94pts $40
Truett Hurst Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Red Rooster Old Vine 2014 88pts $37
Wilson Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Ellie’s 2015 88pts $38
Wilson Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Nolan 2015 88pts $42
Zo Wines Zinfandel 2017 92pts $44
Wine Enthusiast Ratings
“Our reviewers assign ratings to all wines using the following scale: Classic 98-100: The pinnacle of quality. Superb 94-97: A great achievement. Excellent 90-93: Highly recommended. Very Good 87-89: Often good value; well recommended. Good 83-86: Suitable for everyday consumption; often good value. Acceptable 80-82: Can be employed in casual, less-critical circumstances. Wines receiving a rating below 80 are not reviewed. Although each of our reviewers is free to use their own rubric, we stress the importance of evaluating balance, length, intensity and complexity as the basis for our ratings.” Wine Enthusiast
Bella 2016 Lily Hill Estate Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley) 93pts $48
Bella 2015 Maple Vineyards Annie’s Block Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley) 93pts $55
Bella 2015 Florence Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley) 92pts $40
Dry Creek Vineyard 2016 Old Vine Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley) 90pts $35
Dry Creek Vineyard 2015 Spencer’s Hill Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley) 92pts $42
Kokomo 2016 Timber Crest Vineyard Winemaker’s Reserve Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley) 90pts $40
Pedroncelli 2016 Bushnell Vineyard Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley) 88pts $26
Preston 2016 Estate Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley) 91pts $38
Preston 2016 Estate VZNI Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley) 90pts $42
Quivira 2016 Black Boar Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley) 92pts $48
Quivira 2016 Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley) 91pts $25
Quivira 2016 Anderson Ranch Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley) 87pts $48
Sbragia 2016 Nonno’s Reserve Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley) 90pts $44
Sbragia 2016 La Promessa Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley) 87pts $40
Sbragia 2015 Gino’s Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley) 86pts $34
Seghesio 2016 Bevill/Wolcott Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley) 91pts $50
Seghesio 2016 Cortina Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley) 93pts $40
Zo Wines 2017 Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley) 88pts $38
Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Throwdown (Hosted by Dry Creek Vineyard)
This blind-tasting is comprised of dozens of Dry Creek Valley zinfandel architects, who taste brown-bagged zins and vote for their favorite in this festive evening.
3) Amista Vineyards
2) Talty Vineyards
1) F. Teldeschi Zinfandel
San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
There are many classes in which wineries can submit their wines to for the SFCWC in a variety of pricing categories. Awards are given for Double Gold, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Best of Class and Varietal Sweepstakes. A public tasting is held for all winners in San Francisco that is open to the public.
Zinfandel: $17.00 – $22.99: 2019 Awards
Pedroncelli 2016 Dry Creek Valley Mother Clone 19.00 Bronze
Zinfandel: $23.00 – $25.99: 2019 Awards
Armida 2017 Dry Creek Valley 25.00 Silver
Saini Vineyards 2017 Dry Creek Valley 24.00 Silver
Zinfandel: $26.00 – $28.99: 2019 Awards
Francis Ford Coppola Director’s Cut 2015 Dry Creek Valley 27.00 Gold
Kokomo Winery 2017 Dry Creek Valley 28.00 Silver
Mazzocco Sonoma 2016 Dry Creek Valley 26.00 Silver
Pedroncelli 2016 Dry Creek Valley Bushnell Vineyard 26.00 Bronze
Gustafson Family Vineyards 2016 Dry Creek Valley Cuvee 28.00 Bronze
Zinfandel: $29.00 – $31.99: 2019 Awards
Pedroncelli 2016 Dry Creek Valley Courage 30.00 Double Gold
Mazzocco Sonoma 2016 Dry Creek Valley Aguilera 29.00 Silver
Mazzocco Sonoma 2016 Dry Creek Valley Briar 29.00 Silver
Forchini Vineyards & Winery 2016 Dry Creek Valley Estate Grown & Bottled 30.00 Silver
Wilson of Dry Creek 2016 Dry Creek Valley Wilson Winery 29.00 Silver
Wilson of Dry Creek 2016 Dry Creek Valley Wilson Winery 29.00 Silver
Zinfandel: $32.00 – $34.99: 2019 Awards
Mazzocco Sonoma 2016 Dry Creek Valley Warm Springs Ranch 34.00 Double Gold
Mazzocco Sonoma 2016 Dry Creek Valley Sullivan 34.00 Gold
Mazzocco Sonoma 2016 Dry Creek Valley Reserve Sonoma County 34.00 Gold
Amphora 2015 Dry Creek Valley Gasparini-Beals Vineyard 34.00 Gold
Mazzocco Sonoma 2016 Dry Creek Valley Beasley 34.00 Gold
Mazzocco Sonoma 2016 Dry Creek Valley Seaton 34.00 Silver
Dutcher Crossing 2016 Dry Creek Valley Proprietor’s Reserve 33.00 Silver
Geyser Peak Winery 2016 Dry Creek Valley 32.00 Silver
Mazzocco Sonoma 2016 Dry Creek Valley Verano 32.00 Silver
Zinfandel: $35.00 – $37.99: 2019 Awards
Mazzocco Sonoma 2016 Dry Creek Valley Maria 36.00 Gold
Dry Creek Vineyard 2016 Dry Creek Valley 35.00 Gold
Kokomo Winery 2017 Dry Creek Valley Pauline’s Vineyard 36.00 Gold
Martorana Family Winery 2015 Dry Creek Valley 36.00 Silver
Zinfandel: $38.00 – $40.99: 2019 Awards
Wilson of Dry Creek 2016 Dry Creek Valley Nolan 38.00 Double Gold
Wilson of Dry Creek 2016 Dry Creek Valley Old Vine Ellie’s 38.00 Double Gold
Mazzocco Sonoma 2016 Dry Creek Valley Reserve Aguilera 40.00 Gold
ZO Wines 2017 Dry Creek Valley 38.00 Gold
Collier Falls 2014 Dry Creek Valley Hillside Estate 38.00 Gold
Seghesio Family Vineyards 2016 Dry Creek Valley Cortina 40.00 Silver
Sbragia Family Vineyards 2016 Dry Creek Valley La Promessa 40.00 Silver
Mazzocco Sonoma 2016 Dry Creek Valley West Dry Creek 38.00 Bronze
Saini Vineyards 2016 Dry Creek Valley Apple Block 38.00 Bronze
Saini Vineyards 2016 Dry Creek Valley Olive Block 38.00 Bronze
Saini Vineyards 2016 Dry Creek Valley Pear Block 38.00 Bronze
Zinfandel: $41.00 – $49.99: 2019 Awards
Mazzocco Sonoma 2016 Dry Creek Valley Pony 42.00 Double Gold
Wilson of Dry Creek 2016 Dry Creek Valley Carls 42.00 Gold
Wilson of Dry Creek 2016 Dry Creek Valley Heartland 42.00 Gold
Wilson of Dry Creek 2016 Dry Creek Valley Molly’s 42.00 Gold
Wilson of Dry Creek 2016 Dry Creek Valley Forchini 42.00 Gold
Wilson of Dry Creek 2016 Dry Creek Valley Sawyer 42.00 Gold
Capo Creek 2015 Dry Creek Valley Eva’s Vineyard 42.00 Silver
Wilson of Dry Creek 2016 Dry Creek Valley Sydney 42.00 Silver
Dry Creek Vineyard 2015 Dry Creek Valley Spencer’s Hill Vineyard 42.00 Silver
Wilson of Dry Creek 2016 Dry Creek Valley Treborce 42.00 Silver
Armida 2016 Dry Creek Valley Maple Vineyards 42.00 Bronze
Zinfandel: $50.00 and Over: 2019 Awards
Wilson of Dry Creek 2016 Dry Creek Valley Sydney 60.00 Double Gold
Wilson of Dry Creek 2016 Dry Creek Valley Molly’s Reserve 60.00 Gold
Wilson of Dry Creek 2016 Dry Creek Valley Tori’s Reserve 60.00 Gold
Wilson of Dry Creek 2016 Dry Creek Valley Sawyer Reserve 60.00 Gold
Mazzocco Sonoma 2016 Dry Creek Valley Reserve Pony 60.00 Gold
Mazzocco Sonoma 2016 Dry Creek Valley Reserve West Dry Creek 56.00 Gold
Mazzocco Sonoma 2016 Dry Creek Valley Reserve Seaton 52.00 Gold
Mazzocco Sonoma 2016 Dry Creek Valley Reserve Warm Springs 52.00 Gold
Mazzocco Sonoma 2016 Dry Creek Valley Reserve Maple 60.00 Silver
Mazzocco Sonoma 2016 Dry Creek Valley Sullivan 52.00 Silver
Comstock Wines 2015 Dry Creek Valley Old Vine 55.00 Silver
Mazzocco Sonoma 2016 Dry Creek Valley Reserve Serracino 56.00 Silver
Mazzocco Sonoma 2016 Dry Creek Valley Reserve Smith Orchard 52.00 Silver
Wilson of Dry Creek 2016 Dry Creek Valley Carl’s Reserve 60.00 Silver
North Coast Wine Challenge – The Press Democrat
The judging methodology for this local wine competition is based on the wines being designated the ranking of Best of Class by Category, Best of County, and ultimately the Best of the Best as top award. Panels are comprised of qualified members of wine media, wine buyers, sommeliers, winemakers, and wine educators. Medals awarded will be Double Gold and Gold. Golds will be converted into a point score above 90 and all 90+ point wines will get a marketable positive comment from the judging panel it was judged by. Winners are invited to pour at the North Coast Wine & Food Festival for the public which features not only wineries, but local food vendors and musicians as well!
Gold Medal
Dutcher Crossing 2016 Proprietor’s Reserve Zinfandel 93pts
Geyser Peak Winery 2016 Winemaker Select Zinfandel 91pts
Mazzocco Sonoma 2016 Briar Zinfandel 90pts
Mazzocco Sonoma 2016 Seaton Zinfandel 93pts
Mazzocco Sonoma 2016 Beasley Zinfandel 94pts
Pedroncelli 2016 Courage Zinfandel 92pts
Truett Hurst 2016 Estate Zinfandel Reserve 97pts
Truett Hurst 2017 Three Vineyards Zinfandel 95pts
Wilson of Dry Creek 2016 Zinfandel 91pts
You can purchase these wines directly from the winery either at the tasting room or online, by calling your local specialty wine shops or a handful of these wineries are in distribution across the United States! Here are the above mentioned wineries’ websites for quick access –
Amista Vineyards www.amistavineyards.com
Amphora Wines www.amphorawines.com
Armida Winery www.armida.com
Bella Vineyards & Wine Cave www.bellawinery.com
Capo Creek Winery www.capocreekranch.com
Collier Falls www.collierfalls.com
Comstock Wines www.comstockwines.com
Dry Creek Vineyard www.drycreekvineyard.com
Dutcher Crossing Winery www.dutchercrossingwinery.com
Francis Ford Coppola www.francisfordcoppolawinery.com
Forchini Vineyards & Winery www.forchini.com
Geyser Peak Winery www.geyserpeakwinery.com
Gustafson Family Vineyards www.gfvineyard.com
Kinsella Estates www.kinsellawines.com
Kokomo Winery www.kokomowines.com
Martorana Family Winery www.martoranafamilywinery.com
Mauritson Wines www.mauritsonwines.com
Mazzocco Sonoma www.mazzocco.com
Papapietro Perry www.papapietro-perry.com
Pedroncelli Winery www.pedroncelli.com
Preston Farms & Winery www.prestonfarmandwinery.com
Quivira Vineyards www.quivirawine.com
Ridge Vineyards www.ridgewine.com
Saini Vineyards www.sainivineyards.com
Sbragia Family Vineyards www.sbragia.com
Seghesio Family Vineyards www.seghesio.com
Talty Winery www.taltyvineyards.com
F. Teldeschi Winery www.teldeschi.com
Truett Hurst Winery www.truetthurst.com
Wilson of Dry Creek www.wilsonwinery.com
Zo Wines www.zowines.com
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