Bogle - Old Vine Zinfandel - 2012

  From California

From the bottle: California is blessed with many historic Zinfandel vineyards. These grapes were first planted by European immigrants in the early 1900's and are still producing today. The old head-trained vines are unique because they produce a smaller crop of fruit that is unusually rich and concentrated in selecting grapes from these old vines, we have handcrafted a wine that displays intense blackberry, black cherry, and raspberry flavors, wrapped in a smooth blanket of vanilla and oak.

We've purchased this wine twice now. We enjoyed the first bottle so much that we picked up a second one. The second one was even better than the first. If your looking for a Thanksgiving wine - this is sure to be a hit!
 
Colin: The first bottle of this wine wasn't as good as the second. The aroma is sweet with a berry scent that I didn't remember from the first bottle. The flavor profile runs the gamut from buttery oak to lush fruit. There's a biting finish reminiscent of a good Cabernet. There's really nothing to complain about. It's a great bottle of wine to be enjoyed with Italian food. Highly recommended.
Rating: 9.8 out of 10 glasses

Rachel: When I opened our second bottle of Bogle Zin, I worried it was corked because of how overly sweet the smell was. But on first taste, which I had immediately after some garlic bread, was incredible. It's full bodied with numerous flavors in each sip. It's sweet, tart, buttery, and light. Highly recommended to accompany your next pasta dish.
Rating: 10 out of 10 glasses

Where can I buy it? We got our bottle at Trader Joe's. Find a distributor in your area.

Hillgate

Zinfandel
Lake County, California
2009

Hillgate boasts having majestic hillside vineyard - where the untamed wilderness lies just beyond the gates . This wine is a dark, purpley-red wine.  It smells beautiful, full of rich fruits and light floral tones.

Colin:  This wine requires a meal. It has a full body, it is very warm.  The oaky flavor is quite distinct.  It lingers into the finish. A good table wine that all can enjoy.

Rating:  8 out of 10 glasses

Rachel:  The initial taste is very sharp and pungent, which is the only reason I don't rate this wine higher.  It has a fantastic finish that lingers in your mouth long after you stopped drinking.  It's a light finish, full of fruit flavor.

Rating:  6.5 out of 10 glasses

Aerate:  No

Where can I find it?  Trader Joe's - $6.99

Old Moon

Old Vine Zinfandel
California
2009

This Zinfandel is named after the January Full Moon.  During that month, the moon casts so many shadows under its brightness, that the vine shadows seem to dance.  This wine can stand with bold flavored meals - like beef and hardy cheeses.

Colin:  The initial taste is on par with most Zinfandels.  However, the finish is weak in comparison.  I think with food, it was much more enjoyable.  If the initial taste wasn't so good, I would rate it lower, but as is, it is aerage.
Rating:  6 out of 10 glasses


Rachel: The initial taste is very strong and hardy, but this wine has a bad finish.  You get this quick, sharp mouthful of flavors, which drops quickly into nothing.  It leaves a bit of a sour taste behind, and because of that, I probably will not buy this wine again.
Rating:  4 out of 10 glasses

Aerate:  Colin - No // Rachel - No

Where can I find it?
This is made by the Trader Joe's wine company - so naturally, Trader Joe's.

Cost: $4.99

Gnarly Head

Old Vine Zin; 
Lodi Zinfandel
California
2008

A dark, deep red.  This wine is very bold in flavor, just like the color would indicate.  We recommend paired with hearty Italian food.

Colin:  After being introduced to this wine at a local Italian Restaurant, I have fallen in love.  It's a meaty, full-bodied red that you want to "drink" with a knife and fork.  Where a red can fail you is the finish, and the this finishes magnificently.  Might have something to do with their 80 year old vines.
Rating: 9 out of 10 glasses

Rachel:  This wine has a bite to it, in a good way.  It kicks your taste buds into gear and opens your senses.  It has such a smooth finish that you almost forget you've been drinking wine.  I don't know how they manage that bite to smooth - but this is definitely one of the best bottles under $10.
Rating:  7 out of 10 glasses

Where can I find it?
They sell it at Ralphs, Vons, supermarkets, Bev-Mo.  Chances are, it will be an easy find, especially if you live in California.

Cost:  $7.00-$9.00 (you can find it on sale sometimes too!)