Dancing Bull Zinfandel 2008

"Rating: 84/100 - As reviewed by Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine (www.cgcw.com) in the September 2010 issue. From its vaguely candied aromas to its watery

Rating: 84/100 - As reviewed by Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine (www.cgcw.com) in the September 2010 issue. From its vaguely candied aromas to its watery, mildly raspberry-like flavors and its limp sense of structure, this lackluster middle-weight working fails to find a clear varietal voice, and it winds up being no more than a simple red wine that has little to do with confident Zinfandel.Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine aging recommendation: Drinkable now. Unlikely to improve with further aging.

This is an impressive winery in Healdsburg owned by Gallo. Moreover, the pricing of the wines remains realistic. Zinfandel is Rancho Zabaco Dancing Bull's main emphasis, and they make 60,000 cases of the Sonoma County Zinfandel, a delicious realistically priced Zinfandel in 2004 that shows excellent berry fruit, plenty of pepper and spice, and a heady finish. Drink it over the next 2-3 years.

Juicy and chockfull of fruity flavor, this is a nice, inexpensive Zin for ribs, chicken, even a steak. Berries, cherries, cola, coffee, chocolate and spices all mingle into a richly tannic finish. The wine is fully dry and moderate in alcohol.

Nearly as good as the '01 and '02, and in the same vein, a dry, balanced Zin that combines an elegant structure with sour cherry, herb and coffee flavors. Notable for its restraint, in an era when it's all too easy to let Zinfandel ripen to excess.

Very good value. Starts with a touch of matchstick, but folds into toasty oak, black cherry, tart, tangy structure and dried berry notes that carry through the finish. Drink now through 2005.

As for the red wines, the 2008 Zinfandel is better than many Zinfandels costing 2-3 times the price. Composed of 88% Zinfandel and the rest Petite Sirah and a tiny dollop of Tempranillo, it possesses a dark ruby hue along with plenty of wild berry fruit, herb, pepper and spice characteristics, soft tannins, enough acidity to provide zestiness, and fine balance. It should drink nicely for 1-2 years.