{"title":"Zinfandel","description":"\u003cp\u003eZinfandel became California's signature red almost by accident, arriving with nineteenth-century immigrants and thriving so well in the state's warm valleys that it is now grown nowhere else in such volume. Sonoma, Napa, and Lodi are the classic sources, prized for old, low-yielding vines, some planted more than a century ago, that concentrate flavour into deeply coloured, high-alcohol wines with ripe blackberry and pepper spice. Old Vine bottlings, sourced from these established plantings, tend to show more complexity and restraint than younger vineyards typically manage. Styles range from bold and jammy through to more structured, food-friendly examples built to match rich, smoky cooking. For the grape's Italian relative, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/primitivo\"\u003ePrimitivo\u003c\/a\u003e is worth a look, and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/red-wine\"\u003eRed Wine\u003c\/a\u003e covers everything else on offer.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"ravenswood-vintners-blend-zinfandel","title":"Ravenswood Vintners Blend Zinfandel 2018","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRavenswood Vintners Blend Zinfandel\u003c\/strong\u003e is a bold, juicy California red loaded with black cherry, raspberry, blueberry and ripe bramble fruit. Hints of oak and warm spice add depth, while supple tannins keep the palate smooth and approachable through a long, fruit-forward finish. Generous without becoming overly heavy, it captures the rich, expressive character that made Ravenswood particularly well known for Zinfandel. A few years in bottle have helped its fruit and oak settle comfortably together. Pour it alongside barbecued ribs, grilled lamb, beef burgers or a hearty spaghetti bolognese.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2018 Vintners Blend is a California Zinfandel with aromas of black cherry, raspberry and blueberry supported by hints of oak. Abundant ripe fruit continues across the palate, where flexible tannins contribute a smooth, easy texture before a long, fruit-driven finish.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the experts say:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNatalie MacLean, 91\/100 (2018 Vintage)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003e“A gorgeous California Zin, with a velvet-tongued texture. This full-bodied Californian red wine is so supple.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hancocks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182010556783,"sku":"100100","price":179.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/RavenswoodVintnersBlendZinfandel.jpg?v=1785015666"},{"product_id":"bogle-old-vine-zinfandel","title":"Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBogle Old Vine Zinfandel\u003c\/strong\u003e is a generous Californian Zinfandel that brings together bright red fruit and a darker, spiced edge, with cranberry, raspberry, marionberry pie and baking spice leading the charge. The fruit comes from old, head-trained vines in Lodi and Amador County, giving the wine plenty of concentration without losing its juicy, mouthwatering shape. Bogle's family farming roots stretch back six generations, and this bottle neatly captures the producer's approachable style: bold, polished and very easy to enjoy. Pour it with grilled sausages and caramelised onions, smoky barbecue, or tandoori chicken when dinner calls for a red with real flavour and no fuss.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBogle makes this California Zinfandel from a core of fruit carefully handpicked from 60-80-year-old, head-trained vines. The 2023 release opens with raspberry and pink peppercorn aromas, followed by cranberry, red fruit, marionberry pie and baking spice. Twelve months in American oak rounds the generous fruit and adds warmth and seasoning to the finish.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the experts say:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTonya Pitts, Wine Enthusiast, 92 Points and Best Buy (2023)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e“the flavors on the palate are juicy blackberries, raspberries, Seville orange, red licorice, clove, cardamom,and mocha, with mouthwatering tannins on the finish.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dhall \u0026 Nash","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182026252655,"sku":"100557","price":179.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/BogleOldVineZinfandel2022.jpg?v=1783976598"},{"product_id":"sebastiani-zinfandel","title":"Sebastiani Zinfandel 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSebastiani Zinfandel\u003c\/strong\u003e is a bright, generous take on California's signature red grape, packed with ripe strawberry, plum and red cherry, plus savoury touches of coffee and spice. Most of the fruit comes from Sonoma County, with the balance drawn from selected sites elsewhere in California, bringing both richness and polish. Vibrant, approachable and food-friendly, this 100% Zinfandel is a natural match for barbecue ribs, a blue cheese burger or a well-stocked cheese board.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe majority of the fruit came from Sonoma County, with the remainder sourced from selected growing sites across California. The low-yielding 2022 season produced small, intensely flavoured berries. After destemming, the must received a two to three day cold soak in stainless steel, followed by fermentation with twice-daily pumpovers. The wine completed malolactic fermentation, then aged until blending and bottling in February 2024. It is 100% Zinfandel at 14.5% alcohol, with ripe strawberry, plum, red cherry, coffee and spice.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the experts say:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSam Kim, Wine Orbit, 91\/100 (2022)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cem\u003e“It's richly fruited with savoury nuances, showing dark berry, dried herb, cured meat, fennel, and roasted hazelnut aromas. The palate displays succulent fruit flavours, a fleshy texture, and layers of polished tannins, finishing lingering and robust. At its best: now to 2030.”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"EuroVintage","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182033887599,"sku":"100785","price":323.88,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/SebastianiZinfandel2022.jpg?v=1783634937"}],"url":"https:\/\/stolencellar.co.nz\/collections\/zinfandel.oembed","provider":"Stolen Cellar","version":"1.0","type":"link"}