Adam Kincaid

9.1

Round five of blind tasting and we all missed on this. I think a Zinfandel blend is cruel. I swore this was a Sonoma Cab… all those blended varieties proved tricky and the Zinfandel doesn’t stand out on its own. Dark ruby red with dark over ripened and jammy fruits. Smells hot. Also VANILLA. Say that five times. Has some nice bell pepper and green notes, some eucalyptus, balsamic, and a touch of mint. Low tannic levels, moderate acid and body. It’s delicious but tripped us up. — 6 days ago

with Jillian

Jay Kline

9.4

Something quite magical often happens to Rafanelli Zinfandel after 10+ years of bottle age. I can’t explain it…but these wines begin to take on a more rustic, Old World feel. It’s as if they shift into an overdrive. The fruit is still big, beautiful and pure (no-doubt a testament to their rigorous selection) and yet they can often display a new energy about them which give them remarkable longevity. This bottle is perfectly representative.

Opened to celebrate my daughter’s 14th birthday, the 2009 Rafanelli Zinfandel pours a deep, practically opaque garnet that becomes more turbid the further we delved into the bottle (in typical fashion, this Rafanelli full of sediment). Medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, bright cherry and bramble-like fruits, Asian spices, espresso and some black pepper. I do sense a touch of VA. On the palate, the wine is dry and with medium tannin and medium+ acid. The notes from the nose are confirmed…with a bit of added emphasis, it should be noted. There’s almost a Pop Rocks experience too…with the slightest effervescence pricking the tongue. And again, this is something that I would more expect from a non-interventionalist wine from Italy…certainly not from Sonoma. Hot take here…but this bottle reminded me of something from Paolo Bea (San Valentino) more than anything from Sonoma, let alone California. It’s just so wonderful. The finish is long and delivers minutes of pleasure.

As far as I’m concerned, nobody is making Zinfandel with the soul that Rafanelli does and the proof is in the bottle each and every time. Of course, they are delicious when young but with age, these wines become something else. Drink now with a decant (for sediment only) and through 2034. — 21 days ago

Amber DeKoker

9.8

Dark and fruity with such a silky, smooth finish. No headache. No heartburn. 💯 🍷 — 7 days ago

Joe DAscoli

9.4

Delightful paired with risotto and shrimp. — 6 days ago

Brian Hearty

8.9

2010. Bright acidity and medium bodied with dark fruit. — 18 days ago

Jody Scharf

9.4

Mouth hugger. — 13 days ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.3

Hard to not drink young…ripe, complex, balanced. I admit to loving Zinfandel with food, and Ridge is right at the top. Blackberry, cherry, plum…noticeably tannic, but works like a charm with my renowned six-hour pasta fagiole and a healthy slug of quintarelli olive oil. Zin and pasta, zin and burgers, zin and ribs…just YUM! — 20 days ago

Dawn E.

8.9

Surprisingly for a grocery store pick-up this is drinking quite nicely! Nice balance, cherry, blackberry, mocha, floral and spice on the finish! — 22 days ago

Anthony Pro

8.9

Your typical California Pinot. Plenty of fruit and a bit syrupy.

It’s a good wine, but I’ll take Oregon Pinots over Cali’s every single time. — 13 days ago

Gor

9.3

Pronounced nose with lemon cake, stone fruit, acacia, honey, some saline notes. The high ABV is easily hidden behind the concentration and balance.
— 21 days ago