Reviewing Zins can be a bit tricky. The chief obstalce lies in the fact that they can literally be all over the map in flavor. Here is what one winemaker had to say about Zin: “Zinfandel is always structured but can vary from dry to sweet and from a light to a heavier full-bodied red. The wine tends to exhibit a dark purple hue with hints of strawberry, plumb, raisin, spice, leather, and tar. Zinfandel has a mouth-filling characteristic that is sometimes described as being jammy or chewy.” Unfortunately, the 2008 Cline Zinfandel is none of these things. If I wanted a sweet light red I could almost see through, I wouldn’t have bought a California Zin. And unfortunately, that’s what the Cline delivers. My second glass, 15 minutes after the first, opened up a bit, but not nearly enough. Bottom line: save the $9 this wine goes for and if you really have a hankering for a super fruity and not so drinkable wine, buy a brown paper bag and insert the cheapest bottle of Boone’s Strawberry you can find. My guess is you won’t be able to tell the difference.
Posted by: Dallas Lawrence | January 25, 2010
Cline 2008 Zinfandel
Posted in Zinfandel | Tags: Cline, wine reviews, Zinfandel, Zinfandel reviews
You crack me up man! So, do you have room for guest review(er)s?!?
By: your best friend on January 25, 2010
at 2:40 am
get your own blog buddy! 🙂 send in your suggested wines for revire and all get on it. tough job.
By: Dallas Lawrence on January 25, 2010
at 2:53 am
We actually visited Cline when we are in Napa/Sonoma in November — we were scoping out wedding venues. Cline was THE ONLY venue out there that DEPRESSED me. It was simply horrible, I have not doubt that their wine is equally depressing. You know what red Zin I really like? Ravenswood. It’s cheap and delish! 🙂
By: KJ on January 25, 2010
at 5:43 pm
I will try the Ravenswood next! Cline was depressing – you should go with sebastiani – we loved everything about how they managed our wedding. 🙂
By: Dallas Lawrence on January 26, 2010
at 8:45 pm
I can’t speak for the Cline venue as I’ve never visited, but please don’t judge all their wines based on one experience. The Old Vine and Cashmere labels are quite good, and meet the under $15 requirement when on sale.
By: LB on April 26, 2010
at 10:37 am
Always open to new wines. I am not a fan of the their old vines zin but will hunt down the cashmere. thanks for the feedback!
By: Dallas Lawrence on April 28, 2010
at 6:30 pm
Um, all I’ma say is, Boone’s Farm Strawberry Hill got me through college. Just sayin’.
By: Ashley on January 26, 2010
at 2:01 pm
The Cline *Old Vine* Zin (blue label) is quite good and not to be confused with the red label Cline zin. (blue label = 88pts @ wine spect., FWIW)
By: demian on May 27, 2010
at 7:49 pm
a suggested wine for review: Louis Martini Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
widely avail here in DC, at Harris Teeter at least. Sub-$15.
By: demian on May 27, 2010
at 7:55 pm
I will pick some up this weekend – thanks for the suggestion!
By: Dallas Lawrence on June 2, 2010
at 1:31 pm