Zinfandel

**Zinfandel** is a red grape genetically identical to Croatia's Tribidrag (or Crljenak) and to southern Italy's Primitivo, though it became an icon in California. **In the glass** — a bold, ripe red brimming with jammy blackberry, brambly raspberry, black pepper and sweet baking spice. It often carries high alcohol, moderate tannins and a plush, juicy body, sometimes tipping into raisined, port-like richness when very ripe. **Where it grows** — California is its heartland, with old-vine plantings in Sonoma, Lodi and the Sierra Foothills giving concentrated, characterful reds; it is also the grape behind sweet, pale "White Zinfandel" rosé. As Primitivo it makes darker, rustic reds in Puglia, and its roots trace back to Croatia. **At the table** — a natural with barbecue, burgers and smoky grilled meats. **Cellaring** — usually best in its exuberant youth, though old-vine bottlings can hold for several years.

Wines

• '80 Vecchie Vigne' Old Vines — Cignomoro
• 18 Primitivo — Riolite
• Alegria — Stone's Throw Winery
• AmerItal — Goosecross Cellars
• Ancient Vine Zinfandel — Oak Ridge
• Appassimento — Casa de Bellucci
• Boschetti Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel — River Road
• Bourbon Barrel Aged Red Blend — Beringer Bros
• Cabernet-Sauvignon Primitivo — Tenuta Albrizzi
• Cali Red — 19 Crimes
• Cellar Port Ink Grade Vineyard — Heitz Wine Cellars
• Edizione Cinque Autoctoni — Fantini
• Gran Trio Rosso — San Marzano
• Hunted Zinfandel — Owl Ridge
• Lot 889 Zinfandel — Cameron Hughes
• Lowe Family Wines Zinfandel Reserve — New South Wales
• Mucchietto Edizione Speciale Famiglia — Pasqua
• Nero Grande Appassimento — NG Royalla
• Old Vine Zinfandel — Black Saint Peter
• Old Vine Zinfandel — Hartford Court