Wine review: Ravenswood 2005 Zinfandel

Source: Flickr

Source: Flickr

Rating

Mediocre

Winery

Ravenswood

Vintage

2005

Grape

Zinfandel

Where

Sonoma County, California, USA

Price

$16.00

Buy at

Whole Foods

This wine is good for...
a dinner party
a date
a holiday

Jon says... Well Priced

Smooth, solid and tasty. Part of Ravenswood’s “County” series of zins, this bottle is produced with grapes taken just from Sonoma County. Sonoma is a place that makes me happy and I try to get up there whenever I can. It’s much bigger than Napa valley and offers a wide variety of climates where many different varietals can flourish. If there is one commonality throughout Sonoma, it’s quality. I seldom dislike a Sonoma wine.

This bottle is no exception. It’s got the big body of zin packed with rich, smooth berry flavors. It smells great and tastes even better. Only problem is, so do the cheaper Ravenswood Zins (Lodi County and the non-county designated California zin). I agree with Ted, save $6 and go for the $10 Ravenswood zin.

Ted says... Mediocre

This wine is great, but so is it’s cheaper brother, the $10 Zinfandel from Lodi. This one comes farther east in Sonoma, and exhibits a slightly cooler tone. It still finishes with nice oak and spices, with bits of tannins that crave some meat. But for $6 more, you’re not getting much more wine. Stick with the Zin from Lodi if you can find it. If not, this one is still delicious, but just a bit more.