Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This classic, versatile, dry table wine has everything in good proportions, from a cherry-like aroma to ripe but not cloying fruit flavors. The moderately tannic texture has an appetizing bite. It's something that can be enjoyed with almost any meal.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
Hmm, when I saw my longtime pal Bill Easton pouring at the ZAP trade tasting, I wanted to go there first. But, alas, I was roadblocked by all kinds of people. So what did I do? I saved the best for last, and I finally got a chance to say, "Hi," and taste his—and Jane's wines (his co-conspirator making balanced wines from the Sierra Foothills). The 2014 Easton Amador County Zinfandel is a solid table wine and quite well balanced. Showing flavors of ripe berries, sweet earth, and savory spices, this Zin should pair nicely with a properly made cassoulet. After tasting these wines, I was happy to catch up with my pal from the early days in the business. (Tasted: January 18, 2018, 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.