Top 5 Zinfandel Under $15

Zinfandel has a perhaps well-deserved reputation of being a wine that goes well with barbecue. The problem is that the reputation overlooks many of the finer Zins that might be totally obscured by the heavy and intense flavors most ‘cue brings to the table.

With that in mind, and keeping in mind that we’re in full ‘cue mode, I will suggest checking out some less expensive offerings for pairing with your backyard bashes. There’s plenty of delicious and well priced Zinfandel out there, it just takes some winnowing out to find the best of the bunch! I’ve found five wines that are perfect for sharing this summer. These wines are easy to drink, easy on the wallet and sure to put a smile on your face.

So kick back, fire up the grill and enjoy these top five Zinfandel wines under $15. Serve these wines with a slight chill but nothing too drastic. Just 15 minutes or so in the fridge will help keep the alcohol under control, particularly if you’ll be enjoying them outdoors on a warm summer’s day or eve. They’ll taste better that way and will be easier to pair with your favorite summer dishes!

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2009 Folie a Deux Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley $14

There’s a lot of caramel and licorice on the nose early on though it is joined by black cherry, plum and a little bit of a bouillon note with time. This is smooth and soft with plenty of cherry and strawberry fruit layered over lightly toasty and spicy oak. There’s lovely balance here, both structurally and with the flavors. While this may not blow anyone away, it’s a really well done bottle of Zin that shows off the wine’s fruity side without turning monolithic. The finish shows a bit of darker fruit but the tannins remain soft and the hint of sugar here drives the finish to a red currant jam/cocoa powder finale. 88pts

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2009 Karly Zinfandel Pokerville Amador County $13

This is brimming with rich black fruit and bramble aromas that hint at some spice herb notes over a base of pepper. Very plump on entry, this is a soft wine that is smooth and polished. A bed of super fine tannins and decent acidity help to support rich, slightly chewy black cherry fruit that shows an attractive early spice note. Slightly more medicinal and perhaps lightly cola scented on the back end, this drifts off on the finish with creamy, blackberry and cherry flavors that continue to show a nice spice accent. Easy to drink and good bang for the buck. 87pts

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2010 Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel California $15

A little blueberry toned on the nose with some cocoa and a nice, aromatic wood note accenting the black raspberry fruit. This is light and fairly bright, with acidity supporting the blueberry notes from the nose. There’s a light lashing of vanilla here along with some toasty wood spice accenting the core of light blackberry fruit. Easy and smooth with soft tannins and juicy tannins making this easy to drink, though it does drop off a touch on the finish. 86pts

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2009 Kenwood Zinfandel Sonoma County $14

Very lightly scented with a nice cocoa top note and some tarragon, mint and soapy floral notes all above the light berry fruit notes. This is lovely. A bit small-scaled and a bit simple, but it shows fine balance, soft tannins that add a hint of mouth grab, and fresh flavors of berries, cream and vanilla, topped with a touch of dried strawberry. It’s another simple wine but one that is easy to drink and true to type. It turns a little dry on the finish, but pair this with a nice rack of beef ribs and that will be the last thing you notice. 85pts

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2009 Tamas Zinfandel Central Coast $11

Lovely nose shows gentle layers of blackberry, strawberry and brambly spice. Smooth, on the lighter-bodied side and a touch sweet in the mouth, this delivers a nicely vanilla-framed core of rather black cherry fruit. Accent notes of wood spice and pepper add complexity. There’s a little meatiness to the black spice on the back end, along with a hint of some stemmy herbs that turn into something more licorice and medicinal-toned on the slightly sweet finish. Pretty good stuff with good varietal character. 84pts

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Trying to find the best value Chardonnays for this summer? Check out GDP's list of the Top 5 Chardonnay Under $15 and take your pick of the best ones around!

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Comments

Adroblaw

962077 28

I've always liked 7 Deadly Zins as my inexpensive go to anytime Zin.

Jul 31, 2012 at 1:55 PM
KT Casey

506288 45

not my favorites. Kenwood is acceptable. others are lacking, especially Folie a Deax. I'd have to try Tamas

GREAT zinfandel is from Peter Haywood at Haywood Winery in Sonoma - great for 30 plus years. Also, Dry Creek Vineyard north coast has phenomenal single vintage zin and great blends. Same for Epiphany - family of Fess Parker - Santa Maria area.

Jul 31, 2012 at 2:28 PM
Kmoloo

726510 14

A sleeper for $10/btl is Charles Krug 2008 st Helena zinfandel.

Jul 31, 2012 at 3:10 PM
marobertso-
n

938654 20

There are a number of good Zins from the Lodi region, but few under $15 that I have been able to find. But the old vine zinfandels from this area are the ones I look for when in the mood for a Zin.

Jul 31, 2012 at 3:14 PM
DBrain

375417 2

Brassfield Eruption zin blend
ozv zin

Jul 31, 2012 at 3:16 PM
EMark

Hand of Snooth

847804 2,868

Thanks for this list, Greg. I am always looking for good, affordable Zins. I've had some of these and agree that they are good, cost-effective solutions to my Zin-tooth problem

MARoberson, I agree that Lodi is underappreciated. I have a favorite for under $15--Oak Ridge, Ancient Vines.

Jul 31, 2012 at 3:27 PM
bozwineguy

Hand of Snooth Voice of Snooth

312380 8

Where the heck are you getting London Zin at $14? The lowest price on Snooth is $20. I am a retailer and if I could buy it wholesale at $14 I would be happy. $14 retail is not a reality.

Jul 31, 2012 at 3:33 PM
marobertso-
n

938654 20

Not under $15 but M2, Macchia, Jessie's Grove are a few of my favorites. I had a project in Lodi that went on for several years and I always made it a point to visit 2-5 winery's each trip. If you are in the area well worth spending a few days of tasting and visiting.

Jul 31, 2012 at 3:39 PM
DBrain

375417 2

EMark, yes Oak Ridge Winery, ozv (Old Zin Vines) at $13
http://www.oldzinvines.com

Jul 31, 2012 at 3:45 PM
KT Casey

506288 45

to : marobertson - most lodi wineries make their zinfandel to high in alcohol and too, too sweet. I prefer a classic dry Italian style primitivo zinfandel~

Jul 31, 2012 at 4:45 PM
excelr8tor

419306 1

Spend the extra 5 bucks and buy a botttle of Seghisio ....by far the best

Jul 31, 2012 at 5:32 PM
saint849

912699 35

Mauritson Zinfandel Dry Creek - AWESOME!

Jul 31, 2012 at 6:17 PM
saint849

912699 35

although definitely NOT under $15

Jul 31, 2012 at 6:18 PM
buffalojen

1120507 82

Plungerhead, OZV, Maggio, Klinker Brick.... Not a fan of any Menage a Trios wines.

Jul 31, 2012 at 8:01 PM
Gregory-
Dal Piaz

Hand of Snooth Voice of Snooth

89065 89,582

Hey everyone, some great recommendations here.

First off the Jack London was our course a mistake, I reviewed the plain old Kenwood Zin, and there was a mistake in production which I've just corrected.

I'll be writing about several of the producers mentioned here next week, but I really wanted to say how much I love seeing the enthusiasm for Zin on these pages.

In my opinion Zinfandel is truly California's greatest grapes, perhaps some fo the the Cabs are in fact better wines, but at 10 times the price the not only better be, but they really hold zero interest for me.

You can get more out of a great California Zinfandel than virtually any similarly priced wine in the world!

Jul 31, 2012 at 8:26 PM
Sintpeter

820577 3

Agree with Maroberson and Emark on Lodi Zins. My preference - Cosentino's "THE ZIN". Can't get it these days in PA Govt. Stores, so not sure where it's pricewise.

Jul 31, 2012 at 10:44 PM
Donna-
Patrice-
Worden

1123813 1

Bogle old vine zinfandel and St Francis old vine zin not to mention St Francis's is a great visit for tasting

Aug 01, 2012 at 12:40 PM
mjgraves

555749 29

I really like Scott Harvey's 1869 Zinfandel, but it's not under $15.

Aug 01, 2012 at 1:51 PM
Zuiko

Hand of Snooth

540750 452

Montevina's top end zin, Terra d Oro is a winner, both in 2008 and 2009. $14-$15.

Aug 01, 2012 at 2:53 PM
EMark

Hand of Snooth

847804 2,868

Thanks for the tip on Scott Harvey, MJ. I'll look for it. The Gold Country is another underappreciated region--not only for Zinfandel, but, also, Petite Sirah.

Aug 01, 2012 at 3:08 PM
vin0vin0

Hand of Snooth

357808 2,144

Always enjoyed the Sobon Old Vines Zin in the $13-15 range.

Aug 02, 2012 at 8:37 PM
zin diva

899443 27

I have always been a fan of Campus Oaks. I love all of my reds so much better the 2nd day after opening, if you can wait! ;)

Aug 03, 2012 at 2:21 AM
gradywine

1073642 15

Try Grady Family Vineyards Old Vine Zinfandel '09 just won a gold 91 pts at the La International Wine and Spirits Comp. $12.99- $14.99 depending on where you buy it!

Aug 06, 2012 at 8:39 PM

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1. Folie á Deux Zinfandel (2009)	List It
2. Karly Zinfandel Amador County Pokerville (2009)	List It
3. Cline Cellars Zinfandel California (2010)	List It
4. Tamas Zinfandel (2009)	List It
5. Kenwood Merlot (2009)	List It

Top 5 Zinfandel Under $15

Value wines you can enjoy in the dog days of summer

2009 Folie a Deux Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley $14

2009 Karly Zinfandel Pokerville Amador County $13

2010 Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel California $15

2009 Kenwood Zinfandel Sonoma County $14

2009 Tamas Zinfandel Central Coast $11

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