Five to try

Frog’s Leap, Zinfandel, Napa Valley 2013 91 £ 21.25-£ 27.80

Fields Morris & Verdin, Hedonism,

Hennings, The Solent Cellar, Waitrose Looking for a more restrained style? This dry-farmed Zinfandel is kept in check through co-fermentation with Carignan and Petit Sirah. At once attractively lively and herbal while maintaining Zinfandel’s bouncy berry fruit profile. American oak lingers but resolves with a few years of bottle age. Drink 2016-2022 Alcohol 13.8% Turley Juvenile Zinfandel 2014 91 £ 23 Butlers Wine Cellar, Winedirect A blend of young vines planted in historic Zinfandel sites throughout California, this is unapologetic and honest: lush strawberry and pepper, plush with waxy tannins. Oak is in the background. This is big alcohol country, but the glove fits. Drink 2016-2019 Alc 15.5% Hartford, Old Vine Zinfandel,

Russian River Valley 2013 90 £41.40 Fells A serious and dense Zinfandel, with dark cherry fruit, peach and cream supported by spice and oak. Good energy despite a little heat, and a more robust tannic structure than expected. Drink 2016-2022 Alc 15%

Bedrock, Evangelho Vineyard Heritage Zinfandel, Contra Costa County 2014 89 £ 33 The Sampler

From a scraggly old vineyard planted in 1889 and now tucked among prerecession McMansions in Antioch. This has loads of brambly fruit with a viscous mouthfeel, soft tannins and brighterthan-expected acidity. A Zinfandel field blend, with Mourvedre and others making a cameo. Drink 2017-2021 Alc 14.1%

Dashe, Zinfandel, Dry Creek

Valley 2013 88 N/A UK www.dashecellars.com A classic, medium-bodied Zinfandel focused on ripe, bright dark berry fruit, spice, tart cranberry and fennel. Light on its feet and low on the oak influence. Drink 2016-2021 Alc 14.1%

For full details of UK stockists, see p147