The next wine I’m looking at for The 12 Days of Zin is from Lodi. Zinfandels from this region often tend to be big jammy blockbusters. This is a style of Zin that can be as popular with some crowds as it is reviled by others. Personally, when they’re well made and I’m in the mood, I like a blockbuster in your face Zinfandel as much as the next guy.  Michael David Family of Wines has been making several wines with catchy names and packaging that are priced right for everyday drinking. Today I’ll look at their current vintage of Seven Deadly Zins, which happens to be the first release of theirs I became aware of several years back.

The Michael Davd Family of Wines 2006 Seven Deadly Zins is a blend of Old Vine Lodi Zinfandel from seven different vineyards. Small amounts of Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot were also added to the blend. The suggested retail price for this wine is $17. Look around or check wine-searcher and you’ll see it’s often available for closer to $13.

Plum, blueberry, and blackberry fruit fill the nose and palate of this wine. If you could drink wild berry pie, this is probably what it would taste like. As with past vintages the 2006 version absolutely leaps out of the glass when you pour it. While it’s hugely expressive immediately,  some air allows it to show it’s layers. Lingering fruit and spice carry through a persistent finish. From start to finish this wine is big, mouth-filling, rich and incredibly smooth and silky.

If you’re a fan of big, unbridled, jam laden Zins that speak of their Lodi heritage you’re going to have a tough time doing better Seven Deadly Zins, especially when you factor in bang for the buck. If you’re looking for a Zinfandel that leans towards restrained, this wild child of a Zin might not be for you. An excellent choice to bring to a BBQ or other large gathering. Both the price and the explosive flavor are sure to please the masses.

Up Next: The 12 Days of Zin Continues!

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The 12 Days of Zin Continues with what will be its Southern most stop. Orfila Vineyards and Winery is a San Diego based operation. Orfila Winery was purchased close to 20 years ago by Alejandro Orfila and his wife. He is a former Argentine Ambassador to the US. His General Manager and Winemaker at Orfila is Leon Santoro. Santoro brought a wide range of experience with him. His past winemaking includes stops at Napa Valley’s Quail Ridge, Stags Leap Cellars and Louis Martini Winery. Together Orfila and Santoro share a stated goal to prove that excellent wine can be produced in the Southern part of California. Orfila has a 70 acre Estate with 40 of those under vine.

The 2005 Orfila Winery & Vineyards “Gold Rush” Zinfandel was sourced from the Lopez Vineyards in Rancho Cucamonga. The suggested retail price for this wine is $24.

The nose of this 2005 Zin from Orfila is filled with the aromas of fresh summer berry pie. I found the wine to be slightly tight out of the bottle. Decanting or letting it open a bit in your glass is recommended. Once it opens up a ton of cherry and subtle wild strawberry notes come out in droves. While this selection is rich and full in the mid-palate it leans towards medium bodied within the world of Zinfandel. Black pepper and light earth notes fill the finish which has good length. I had this with London broil and it complemented it quite well.

What I liked most about this particular Zinfandel is its combination of rich flavor, countered by smooth, easy drinkability. A nice selection from Orfila Vineyards and Winery.

Up Next: The 12 Days of Zin Continues!

Check out ZAP The Group dedicated to Zinfandel.

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