2009 Dehlinger Guadagni Bros. Vineyard Zinfandel

Dehlinger Winery is in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County, California. It was founded in 1975 when Tom Dehlinger, a University of California at Davis educated enologist, planted 14 acres of vineyards. Today Dehlinger and his wife Carole still own and operate the estate, which has grown to 45 acres. Dehlinger specializes in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and wine reviewers routinely praise the estate’s wines for their Burgundian qualities. Along with its flagship Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Dehlinger also makes Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Rose wines. California wine reviewer James Laube has written that as a winemaker, Tom Dehlinger has “shown a master’s hand in crafting intensely flavored, richly concentrated, succulent wines.”

Zinfandel is a black-skinned grape, but 85% of the wine produced is made into a rosy “White Zinfandel.” Red Zin is far more complex and bold, while still being light-bodied. It grows in popularity as winemakers continue to experiment with new styles and blends.