Drink.  Learn.  Laugh.  Repeat.

Welcome Back!Sign in here:

Not Registered?Become one of our thirsty clan 334,490 strong:

Register Today!

Grgich Hills Estate Zinfandel 2011

Thanks for liking this wine! Let your friends on Twitter and Facebook know about it by clicking on the buttons here.

If you've already connected your Twitter account, then you don't need to click on the Twitter button to share your review as it'll be done for you.

Optional: Before you share your wine find with friends, you can pick a score or make a quick tasting note, or both if you like:


My Score:
 
My Tasting Notes:
Expand Box




Community Reviews

There are 2 user submitted reviews for this wine.

Greg Hughes rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

Mike Grgich hails, coincidentally, from the same place that Zinfandel originally came from. Not Italy, but Croatia. In Croatia, it is called Crljenak Kaštelanski. This one is from Napa and not uber-hot Lodi. This means it has some more complex aromatics and structure for long-term aging.
Tightly wound, and with a crushing 15.5% alcohol that it still carries well.
The wine is a glass-saturating purple, with ruby edges.
Aromas of coffee grounds, cocoa, cigar leaf, blackberry, blueberry, leather, kirsch, and cocoa mulch.
Wonderful and still balanced. Cinder, jammy blackberry and blueberry, cocoa powder, and espresso.
Incredible wine for sous vide steaks, or maybe some simple prosciutto and parmesan, so the main event is still the wine. Sit and contemplate over it, or lock it away for at least half a decade and see what happens.
Terry Jeans rated this wine as 94/100 with the following review:

Not your typical California Zin, because it is made with finesse and refreshing crispness. Still quite high alcohol, but does not appear to be overripe with a smooth mouthfeel combined with rich, dark fruit. Very food friendly, a charcuterie plate or pepperoni pizza would be great pairings.




Natalie's Review

Grgich Hills Estate Zinfandel 2011, Napa Valley, California, United States: Incredibly intense and concentrated with enticing aromas of blackberries and plums. Great finesse and structure. This is benchmark Californian zinfandel. Serve with pepperoni pizza and a great movie. This winery is a leader not just in its first-class wines, but also in in eco-progressive viticulture as one the largest biodynamic grape growers in the United States. Almost all of the winery’s power is derived from solar energy. Let's raise a glass to them tonight. Drink: 2015-2020. 903237 15.50% XD 750 mL  $58.95 Score: 93/100. September 5, 2015 Top Rated Red Wine. Perfect Pasta and Tomato Sauce Wine  Full Review

Ad

WANT TO LEARN HOW TO

PAIR WINE
& FOOD?

Join me in a free online video class to learn the secrets to perfect pairings.

Wine of the Week

As featured on  

CTV Wine of the Week!

J. Lohr Red Wine
Syrah 2022,
Paso Robles, California ...

Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean offers North America's most popular online wine and food pairing classes. She was named the World's Best Drinks Writer at the World Food Media Awards in Australia.

Natalie has published two books with Random House, both selected as one of Amazon's Best Books of the Year.

Join 334,490 thirsty wine lovers who get access to all of her wine reviews by becoming a member of her site. Take a free online pairing class with her here.

FEEL LOST IN THE

LCBO?

Know the wines you want before you even get to the store with my wine reviews. Join now. It's free.

Red, White & Drunk All Over

  Best Books of the Year

Red, White & Drunk all over by Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean writes about wine with a sensuous obsession... and often laugh-out-loud funny... Terrific.

Rex Pickett, Sideways

Ms. MacLean is the disarming Everywoman. She loves wine, loves drinking ... ultimately, it's a winning formula.

Eric Asimov, The New York Times

GOT A SMARTPHONE?

Access my reviews on mobile with the bar code scanner.

GET NAT'S APP

Unquenchable: A Tipsy Search

  Best Books of the Year

Unquenchable by Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean is a new force in the wine writing world ‐ a feisty North American answer to Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson. She can write beautifully about wine.

The Financial Times of London

There are very few people in the wine world who "get it" and Natalie is one of those who brings more fun to a buttoned-up and stodgy game.

Gary Vaynerchuck, Wine Library TV

Starting a Wine Cellar?

Expert advice for all budgets

Insider tips on starting a wine cellar
From wine racks to underground caves, insider tips on size and space, number of bottles, ideal conditions and reputable resources.   learn more  
Winner World's Best Drink Writer
WFour-Time Winner James Beard Foundation
Five-Time Winner Association of Food Journalists
Six-Time Winner Bert Greene Award
Best Wine Literature Book Gourmand World Cookbook Awards
Online Writer of the Year Louis Roederer International Wine Writing Award