Tasting Highlights' wine reviews are fresh out of the tasting room, offering a sneak peek of our editors' most recent scores and notes to WineSpectator.com members.
It's the lazy days of summer, prime time for grilling out with a tasty glass of California Zinfandel. With its bold fruit and zesty flavors, Zin works with a wide range of fire-roasted food, whether it's just a burger or hot dog, or something snazzier like baby back ribs or a bone-in rib eye. And if you lather barbecue sauce on chicken, that will work dandy with Zin, too.
This week's collection of new releases hails from all over the state, once again proving the versatility of California's heritage grape. Sierra Foothills stalwart Bill Easton delivered the two top wines, both 2014s and both scoring 91 points.
Zin is one of Lodi's strong suits, and the region accounts for five of this week's 10 wines, ranging from Klinker Brick's smoky and spicy Old Ghost to the super-value, widely available wines of Plungerhead and Michael David's Seven Deadly Red.
EASTON Zinfandel Fiddletown Old Vine Rinaldi Vineyard 2014
A racy red, with huckleberry and smoky pepper aromas and briary black cherry and licorice flavors that finish with zesty tannins. Drink now through 2024. 300 cases made.
EASTON Zinfandel Shenandoah Valley 2014
Plump and zesty, with lively wild berry and briary black pepper flavors that persist on a long finish. Drink now through 2024. 350 cases made.
KLINKER BRICK Zinfandel Lodi Old Ghost Old Vine 2015
Ripe and broad-shouldered, with perky baked cherry, smoked licorice and spice flavors. Drink now through 2022. 5,000 cases made.
PEACHY CANYON Zinfandel Paso Robles Westside 2016
Lively and appealingly briary, with black cherry, licorice and cracked pepper flavors that finish with zesty tannins. Drink now through 2023. 7,162 cases made.
HARNEY LANE Zinfandel Lodi 2014
Plump and ripe, with blueberry pie, licorice and pepper flavors. Drink now through 2021. 650 cases made.
KENWOOD Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Six Ridges 2014
Approachable and zesty, with lively cherry pie and spicy herb flavors. Drink now through 2023. 622 cases made.
MICHAEL DAVID Seven Deadly Red Lodi 2016
Zesty and user-friendly, with ripe and lively cherry and cracked pepper flavors. Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2020. 50,000 cases made.
TRENTADUE Zinfandel Alexander Valley La Storia Block 303 2016
Ripe and jammy, with easygoing berry cobbler and smoky pepper flavors. Drink now through 2021. 3,200 cases made.
PLUNGERHEAD Zinfandel Lodi Old Vine 2016
Zesty and ripe, with cherry pie and spiced herb flavors. Drink now through 2020. 13,443 cases made.
VAN RUITEN Zinfandel Lodi Old Vine 2016
Ripe and zesty, with raspberry jam and smoky sage flavors. Drink now through 2020. 2,470 cases made.