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De L'arjolle Z Domaine De L'arjolle Zinfandel 2011 Wine Review

De L'arjolle Z Domaine De L'arjolle Zinfandel 2011

De L'arjolle Z Domaine De L'arjolle Zinfandel 2011

Vin De France, Midi, France

Community Score:90/100

Community Reviews: 6

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Price: $19.95

Drink: 2014-2018

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 14%

Sweetness: Extra Dry

Wine Type: Red Wine


Winery: Domaine de L'Arjolle

Agent: H.H.D. Imports

Natalie's Score: 91/100

Superb and fascinating! Unlike California zinfandel. Smoky with rich layers, smooth, creamy texture and satisfyingly full-bodied weight. Want something different that's guaranteed to be delicious ... Here you go.

Best Beef Wine

This De L'arjolle Z Domaine De L'arjolle Zinfandel 2011 was reviewed on January 4, 2014 by Natalie MacLean

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Pricing & Stock Information

  • BCLDB
  • 822825
  • $21.52 
  • Check Stock

Reviews and Ratings

Malcolm Lamont - WSET Adv, CSW rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Opulent chewy fruit as to be expected by zinfandel and balanced by Domaine de L'Arjolle's elegant style.

Domaine L'Arjolle was the one producer allowed to plant Zinfandel in France as an experiment, and the results have rewarded this decision.

Here's to further experimentation with such balanced results!

Tasted Jan 23, 2014
Heather Wall - CS; WSET Advanced rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

This full-bodied, deep ruby 'Z' Zinfandel stands alone. Literally. Domaine de l'Arjolle of the Languedoc region in France is the ONLY Zinfandel producer in France with vines imported from California.
The similarities stop there.
This is not a hot, fruit bomb Zinfandel as common with Cali Zins. This quite French Zinfandel is elegant and refined. Chewy with dark fruit compote, raisins, prunes, light pepper, oak, smoke and palate is offered the same treat.
Tannins evident but smooth. Winemaker suggests wine could age another 5yrs+
14%ABV but no heat! Balanced nicely with fruit and wood. Released Vintages Jan.4/14
At $19.95 this wine will not last long.
Tasted Jan 23/14
Jane Staples - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

This 2011 "Z" Zinfandel is the only Zin made in France, as Domaine de l'Arjolle is the only French winery with permission to grow it. One of the founders originally brought Zin stalks from California after falling in love with it there...and when a French man falls in love...it is a passionate affair!
Full-bodied, creamy, with stewed fruit, leather, smoke and earthy notes, along with cedar too. Enjoy it with beef or Roquefort cheese.
Matt Steeves - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

Domaine de L'Arjolle from Cotes du Thongue, France, has spent the last five years nurturing France's only hectare of Zinfandel vines to produce this unique expression of a increasingly popular varietal. Deep ruby red with wild raspberries, stewed dark fruits, wood smoke, vanilla, and a touch of fresh herbs welcomes you into this medium-full bodied wine. On the palate, you'll find a fresh example of a Zinfandel that stylistically seems to fit-in right between Californian and Italian (Primitivo) styles.

This French experiment has potential to produce a more complex world-class style of Zin as they continue to learn how to harness its potential in the beautiful south of France. Tasted January 2014. 89 points. Matt Steeves
This is a real gem. Inspired and impressed by the Zinfandel he encountered during a visit to California, founder Louis-Marie Teisserenc became determined that Domaine de l'Arjolle would produce Zin. Their 100% Zinfandel Z de l'Arjolle is still the only Zinfandel wine in France, and must be classified as Vin de France as there are no AC classifications for Zinfandel. The 2011 expression of this wonderfully unique wine is creamy, with notes of smoke, tar, prune and earthy tones. Source: Vintages Wine Ratings and Reviews, March 2013

If you liked the De L'arjolle Z Domaine De L'arjolle Zinfandel 2011, you might also like these wines:

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