It is the time of the year where every wine blogger publishes their lists of Wines of the Year or Values of the Year, etc. Although I try to blog about all the wines I taste it is clear that Zinfandel is definitely my grape of choice. The link for each wine will take you to the detailed Bottle Note on Zinfandel Chronicles. All of the older wines were stored in my cellar since release. A few of the wines were samples provided by the winery. Wines that received the same score are not listed in any particular order. This is the 11th version of my Top 10 Zinfandel list. Use the search function to find older lists.
The Zinfandel Chronicles Top 10 Zinfandels of 2024
- 2015 Bucklin Ancient Field Blend Old Hill Ranch – 97 points
- 2022 Ridge Vineyards Geyserville – 97 points
- 2021 Robert Biale Zinfandel Pagani Ranch – 97 points
- 2022 Ridge Vineyards Zinfandel Pagani Ranch Norma’s Block – 97 points
- 2017 Turley Zinfandel Mead Ranch – 96 points
- 2016 Williams Selyem Zinfandel Saitone Estate Vineyard – 95 points
- 2016 Carlisle Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard – 95 points
- 2022 Robert Biale Zinfandel Morisoli Vineyard – 95 points
- 2017 Carlisle Zinfandel Papera Ranch – 95 points
- 2019 Outpost Zinfandel Howell Mountain – 95 points
A few observations after compiling the list:
- Carlisle is the only winery represented in each list since 2014. Should we start a petition to get Mike Officer to rethink this retirement thing?
- Turley Mead Ranch has made the list in consecutive years. It is so unfortunate Turley no longer has access to these grapes.
- Papera Vineyard has been represented in every list since 2015 with wines from Bedrock, Carlisle and Williams Selyem.
- This is the first top 10 list to include 3 wines from Napa Vineyards with the Turley Mead Ranch, Robert Biale Morisoli and Outpost Howell Mountain.
- Ridge really excelled with the 2022 vintage.
Last year’s list can be found here.
What was the best Zinfandel you opened this year?