Zinfandel is a chameleon as wines go.  As a red wine, it can be everything from a thin and bright, to dense and jammy, and even made into White Zinfandel or a syrupy dessert like Port.  As red wines go, this means it makes a versatile choice for everyday drinking or holiday dinners.  Lodi, California is one of the best regions for zinfandel, and producers like Cline pack a lot of value into the bottle for a great price.  Can Cline Zinfandel 2013  help fill the gap at your holiday table for a bigger red?

Sight:  A ruby colored body with a similar edge.

Smell:  Jammy cherries, ripe currants, and fresh plums all come out, and are complimented by subtle undertones of vanilla.  A backdrop that’s a touch earthy is complimented by subtle spices which round out the overall nose.

Sip:  The body starts off bright, and remains so throughout.  The body leans toward the lighter side of medium, and pulls in big flavors jammy plum, prunes, and currants.  The backdrop for the flavors are provided by smooth vanilla and hints of chocolate.

Savor:  The ending is smooth, and laced with jammy plum and vanilla.  The finish is a little light on tannins, but goes for a very long time.

Cline Zinfandel is very good value for the money.  The flavors are on the deeper side of the zinfandel spectrum, pulling in good influences from the oak and the jammy dark fruits.  The body is texturally a little towards the astringent side, but the finish is relatively smooth.  The general impression is very good, and it has a decent amount of jammy complexity.   If you need a slightly deeper red than pinot noir for Thanksgiving or Christmas, then Cline Zinfandel is a good candidate for only $10.

Verdict:  Vanilla, Bright, Plum, Cherry
Price: $10
Lodi, California
Need a bottle of Cline Zinfandel? Get one from Wine.com