Carol Shelton Rocky Reserve Zinfandel Sonoma County 2013
Deep, darkest garnet red color. The aromatics are dense and with red and black berries supported by dried berries, mineral, vanilla bean, cassis, loads of brown baking spices (especially cinnamon), black pepper, and dried blueberry. The palate is in full accord with the nose delivering layers of concentrated berry fruits with generous spice and oak notes giving this wine dimension and depth. Medium to full-bodied with sexy spice and oak notes delivered with perfect balance and length. $35 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Carol Shelton Karma Zin Zinfandel Sonoma County 2012
Deep, darkest garnet to ruby red color. The aromatics reveal a dense and rich Zin with layers of ripe and dried red and black berries with accents of allspice, earth, oak, nutmeg, cinnamon, and dark chocolate. The palate fulfills the promise of the nose showing even more concentration of fruit with generous spice and oak notes adding interest and structure. Full-bodied with great balance as well thanks to a bright dose of acidity and soft, chewy tannins. $30 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Summers Estate Two-Acre Zinfandel Napa Valley 2013
Deep, dark ruby red color. The nose is wonderfully expressive with waves of ripe blackberry, cherry, and blueberry with bramble berry, hints of leather, and rich black fruit jam. The palate echoes the nose delivering rich fruit-driven core with a frame of mineral, brown spice, and black pepper. Full-bodied with waves of dense, concentrated fruit while it offers a nice balance thanks to a bright dose of acidity. Made with 100% Zinfandel. $40 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Force of Nature Mossfire Ranch Zinfandel Paso Robles 2013
Deep purple with hints of ruby red. The aromatics are quite complex deftly marrying ripe blueberry, raspberry, and plum with cracked black pepper, cardamon, allspice, clove, pink peppercorns, and cocoa nibs. The palate equals the complexity of the nose. It's much more than fruit ideally weaving in a wide array of spice, with subtle earth tones and oak. Being a Zin from Paso you know it's going to be a mouthful but this multilayered beauty gets kudos for its subtlety as well. Made with 100% Zinfandel. $22.50 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
