Winemaker Notes
This refined Zinfandel is the perfect flavor marriage with tastes of boysenberry preserves, black pepper, and orange marmalade.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Complex aromas and nice flavor concentration give this full-bodied wine an extra boost. Well-defined mint and floral aromas give way to black cherry and blackberry on the palate, firmed up by moderate tannins and good acidity.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: Whenever I approach Zinfandel in the 15.5% alcohol level, I look for balance and style. The 2018 Paul Dolan is formable and well-structured. TASTING NOTES: This wine explodes with attractive fruit. Its generous ripe berry aromas and flavors are held nicely with just enough tannins to keep it all together. Enjoy it with braised short ribs. (Tasted: December 17, 2019, San Francisco, CA)
Unapologetically bold, spice-driven and jammy, Zinfandel has secured its title as the darling of California vintners by adapting well to the state's diverse microclimates and landscapes. Born in Croatia, it later made its way to southern Italy where it was named Primitivo. Fortunately, the imperial nursery of Vienna catalogued specimens of the vine, and it later made its way to New England in 1829. Parading the true American spirit, Zinfandel found a new home in California during the Gold Rush of 1849. Somm Secret—California's ancient vines of Zinfandel are those that survived the neglect of Prohibition; today these vines produce the most concentrated, ethereal and complex examples.
A large and diverse appellation within California’s North Coast AVA, Mendocino is home to several smaller sub-regions—most notably the Anderson Valley. This scenic region, with rolling hills covered in redwood forests as well as vineyards, is one of the world’s top producers of certified organically-grown grapes. Due to wide geographical and climatic variation, a vast array of wine styles can be found here.