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.
Northern California wine country got a taste of spring weather recently, and the urge to grill outside was strong. Then it poured with rain again. But one of the great things about Zinfandel? It pairs well with hearty food no matter the weather.
Today's selection of new releases shows Zin at its best, with all six wines scoring 90 points or higher and costing $36 or less. This includes bottlings from 2015 and 2016, both outstanding vintages, as well as 2017, which I've not rated yet but shows early promise.
These wines also share a Sonoma connection, with all the grapes hailing from the county, except for Jeff Cohn's catch-all California cuvée The Imposter. And yet, winemaker Cohn is based in Sonoma, and his wine contains more than a little Sonoma juice.
CAROL SHELTON Zinfandel Rockpile Rocky Reserve Florence Vineyard 2016
Structured and lively, showing tension, offering expressive black cherry, red jalapeño and stony mineral accents that deepen toward broad-shouldered tannins. Best from 2020 through 2026. 501 cases made.
JEFF COHN The Imposter California 2016
Opens with a burst of ripe black raspberry fruit followed by expressive layers of smoky anise, espresso and licorice flavors that build toward polished tannins. Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Viognier and Carignane. Drink now through 2025. 500 cases made.
HAWLEY Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley Treborce Vineyard 2017
Refined and well-built, with lively raspberry, anise and white pepper flavors that take on richness on a long finish. Drink now through 2024. 530 cases made.
KOKOMO Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley 2017
Spirited yet well-structured, with layered cherry, green peppercorn and savory anise flavors that finish with harmonious tannins. Drink now through 2024. 630 cases made.
DE LOACH Zinfandel Russian River Valley 2015
Fruit-forward and zesty, with snappy cherry, sweet anise and pepper flavors that have a vibrant finish. Drink now through 2023. 3,218 cases made.
ST. FRANCIS Zinfandel Sonoma County Old Vines 2016
Boldly jammy and plump with fruit, this has just enough structure to stay interesting, with black cherry, toasty vanilla and pepper flavors. Drink now through 2024. 33,200 cases made.