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California California 2022 Zinfandel

Tasting Zinfandel

Samantha Cole-Johnson 2022
Samantha Cole-Johnson
Friday 6 December 2024 • 15 min read
Bedrock old Zinfandel vineyard

No variety offers such a rich diversity of styles as Zinfandel. Sam offers some guidance to finding the styles that will speak to you. Bedrock vineyard pictured above.

In the grand tradition of stereotyping wine grapes, Chardonnay is said to be a winemaker’s grape, in that it can show a wide diversity of styles. Pinot Noir is said to be a window into terroir – clearly communicating soil and climate. And Zinfandel …

… is said to be velvety with rounded tannins, jammy, sweet-tasting black fruit, ample bramble, spice and oak (usually American), over 14.5% alcohol, full in body, with...