7 Excellent California Zinfandels Up to 92 Points

Despite its somewhat mysterious origins, the Zinfandel grape variety has played an important role in California’s wine history. After the majority of the state’s vineyards were devastated by phylloxera in the late 1800s, Zinfandel was among the first varieties replanted and it became highly significant for red table wines. Today, there are nearly 40,000 acres of Zinfandel vines throughout California, making it the third-most widely planted red grape in the state. In this lineup, we spotlight several regions, including a few lesser-known areas where Zinfandel flourishes.

The top scorer in this list is a Zinfandel-based blend from Jeff Cohn Cellars. Winemaker Jeff Cohn cut his teeth at Zin specialist Rosenblum Cellars before founding his namesake label. For his Smoke & Mirrors bottling, he combines his Zinfandel experience with his love for Rhône-style wines: While Zinfandel makes up the bulk of the blend, it's rounded out by a heavy dose of Syrah. In some years, Cohn adds touches of Grenache, Mourvèdre or Petite Sirah, aiming for a blend reminiscent of Côtes du Rhône. The 2022 bottling is plush and lively with fresh raspberry and cherry flavors and cracked pepper and espresso accents.

This lineup also includes Bedrock's Pato Vineyard Heritage Contra Costa County 2022, a tightly wound red with cherry, cranberry and green peppercorn flavors. Read on to get our score and full tasting note for this Zinfandel and six others!

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