A thought about the zinfandel grape is that that the origin and how it came to California generates significant debate. Experts believe that zinfandel plantings arrived to Sonoma in the 1850's. First leads were that the vine originated in Italy, still known as Primitivo there. Genetic research suggests that the vine actually calls Croatia its first home.

Alder Brook Zinfandel "OVOC", Dry Creek, Sonoma 2000
Price $18
Rating 95
Bright red, briar patch inspired flavors start things on a very positive note. Then zesty, continued bright notes of tropical/citrus notes, red cherry, refined leather, exciting spice like cinnamon and allspice. The long finish with cedar and vanilla notes is extraordinary, as is the relative price. (14.2% alcohol)

Amphora Zinfandel "Mounts Vineyard", Dry Creek, Sonoma 1999
Price $26
Rating 92
Beautiful red fruit flavors lead in the sip. There are high notes, finesse, cocoa powder, dried cherries and much, much more. (14.4% alcohol)

Dry Creek Vineyard Reserve Zinfandel, Dry Creek, Sonoma 1998
Price $30
Rating 93
There is an entry of black pepper, black cherry, in fact dried cherry, a touch of tar, leather, earth, then laced with tropical/citrus tanginess in the finish. (15% alcohol)

Everett Ridge Zinfandel, Dry Creek, Sonoma 2000
Price $28
Rating 93
A sniff reveals dark aromas of cocoa powder, dried plums, blackberry, and other concentrated black fruit. There are flavors of black fruit, spiked with high notes of certain red fruits, bits of mint, ending with black pepper and raisins. (15.2% alcohol)

Ferrari-Carano, Zinfandel, Dry Creek, Sonoma 1999
Price $22
Rating 94
Elegant red fruit flavors, lots of high notes, this wine is not at all the often venified, heavy-handed zinfandel. Red cherry, bits of cedar, cocoa powder dust, throughout a beautiful, long length grab your attention when you try this wine. (14.2% alcohol)

Lake Sonoma Zinfandel "Saini Farms", Old Vine,
Heck Family Cellar Selection, Dry Creek, Sonoma 2000
Price $26
Rating 93
Jam filled, grapy concentration of mulberry, blackberry, black pepper, menthol with hotish flavors in the finish. This beautiful winery is just beside the actual dam to Lake Sonoma. The soil is baked and dry. The winemaker is inspired, using the finest French and American oak barrels in an aggressive program. (15.3% alcohol)

Pedroncelli Zinfandel "Mother Clone", Dry Creek, Sonoma 2000
Price $14
Rating 91
An entry of bright red fruit that is full of freshness, with soft cola characters, mulberry, menthol, and a dust of white pepper. This is the most remarkable value from the fantastic Dry Creek area for a zinfandel. (14.4%
alcohol)

Quivera Zinfandel "Wine Creek Ranch", Dry Creek, Sonoma 1999
Price $30
Rating 92
Dark, ominous fruit flavors rooted in tar, black earth and black pepper, followed by more dried and black, briary fruit. A refined, yet powerful red zinfandel. (14.6 alcohol)

Rancho Zabaco Zinfandel, Dry Creek, Sonoma 1999
Price $17
Rating 91
Visualize complex red fruit, some dried plum, mint, and a sprinkle of white pepper in this great value for a pedigreed red zinfandel. The price is a value compared to the wine's neighbors. (14.5% alcohol)

Rancho Zabaco Zinfandel "Stefani Vineyard", Dry Creek, Sonoma 1999
Price $25
Rating 92
There is red fruit like cranberry, red cherry, along with menthol, cocoa powder, and a bit of earthy dust in this elegant, but powerful red wine. Rancho Zabaco is guided by the relatively young winemaker, Eric Cinnamon (age 30). Like his name implies, he extracts exotic flavors from this exotic American rooted grape.(14.6% alcohol)

Wilson Winery Zinfandel "Carl's Vineyard", Dry Creek, Sonoma 2000
Price $25
Rating 95
Spicy entry of allspice/cinnamon wrapped within red fruit, cranberry, red cherry, earthy notes and leather. This wine is subtle, but powerful, and perfectly balanced. This precisely made red wine must be tried. (15.5% alcohol)