Composed from lime, from the flavor or Rose's lime juice and the acidity of mineral lime, this tastes clean and fresh, the citrus fruit holding on past wood tones of hazelnut. It should grow complex with another two years in bottle, to serve with grilled prawns.

Bright, aromatic nose of pear, pineapple and wet stone. Juicy and stony in the mouth, with ripe flavors of soft citrus fruits. Nicely layered, supple wine with very good inner-mouth energy. Slightly warm on the back, but boasts better fruit than the 2001 version.

Noticeably hazy and filled with inviting aromas of apple pulp, sweet lemons and creamy oak, this solid and unreservedly rich wine is equally generous with its fruit on the palate. It may be just a touch simple and juicy at for the moment, but it should round out and broaden with a few years of bottle aging. Try it with sea bass or halibut in lightly creamed or buttery sauces.

Packed with alcohol, this blows like a wind from the sea, giving immediate pineapple flavors, then it's gone. It's big and succulent while it lasts, a meal in itself, with sauerbraten or baked country ham.

Along with Turley Cellars and Robert Biale, Hartford has become one of northern California's most compelling Zinfandel producers. That is evidenced by the following five Zinfandels, all heavyweights from a difficult vintage. The 2000 Hartford Zinfandel Russian River (1000 cases, 15.9 % alcohol) is a sexy, sweet, ripe effort with oodles of briery, berry fruit intermixed with pepper, earth, and new oak. There is good acidity, but this is not meant for aging so enjoy it over the next 3-4 years.

...catches the cool Sonoma Coast qualities of acidity and elegance. You'll find cherry and green tea flavors, and the wine should develop over the next five years.

A sauvage coastal red, this delivers on its heady scent with a deep, plush texture. Give it a year in the cellar, then enjoy its soft riches with roast salmon.

USA, Northern California, Napa Valley: 2016 & 2017 – A Tale of Two Vintages Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Hartford Zinfandel opens with bombastic blueberry pie, raspberry preserves and blackberry tart scents with waft of potpourri, Chinese five spice, raisin cake and dusty soil. The palate is full-bodied, rich and spicy with a zippy line of freshness and a long chewy finish.

This slightly opaque and dark red colored Zinfandel from Hartford opens with a fragrant mulberry and cranberry bouquet with a hint of clove. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, slightly acidic, and mouthwatering. The flavor profile is a tasty plum with notes of integrated oak. We also detected hints of red raspberry, black pepper and minerality. The finish is dry and its flavors are nicely prolonged. The Panel suggested pairing this wine with a pork tenderloin with a fig and sage sauce.

Distinctive aromas of raspberry and eucalyptus open to well-built, if rather taut, cherry, anise and stony mineral flavors.

Tightly wound and powerfully built for the cellar, with mineral and aromatic herb aromas opening to compact flavors of blueberry, raspberry and white pepper. The tannins are ripe but dense. Hands off for now.

The 2012 Zinfandel Dina’s Vineyard (14.8% natural alcohol) is a more Pinot Noir-styled Zinfandel with elegant black raspberry, kirsch, spring flower and spicy oak notes (35% new oak was utilized), and a medium-bodied, fine, lacy mouthfeel. It’s a Zinfandel behaving like a premier cru red Burgundy. Enjoy it over the next 4-5 years.

Inky ruby. Bright cherry and black raspberry aromas are complemented by hints of dried rose, black tea and star anise. Lively cherry and dark berry flavors pick up spiciness with air, along with a touch of candied flowers. Shows good energy on the finish, which is firmed by youthful, fine-grained tannins. This rich but energetic zin will work well with strongly seasoned foods.

Offers a contrast of fleshy ripeness and firm, minerally tannins, with aromas of berry pie and spice leading to rich yet dense boysenberry, loam and caramel flavors. Drink now through 2020.

Glass-staining ruby. Spicy red and dark berry aromas are complicated by floral and smoke accents, with a hint of vanilla in the background. Juicy and precise in the mouth, showing understated blackberry and cherry flavors that gain sweetness with air. A graceful rendition of zin that finishes with very good clarity and energy.

The 2010 Zinfandel Russian River Valley is a big, exuberant wine bursting with dark black fruit, spices, mint and tobacco. This luscious Zinfandel is an excellent choice for drinking over the next few years. High-toned floral notes add lift and freshness on the finish. I especially like the way the wine turns more elegant and finessed with time in the glass. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017.

Dense and ripe, but with a crisp and tannic backbone. Smoky black cherry aromas lead to tightly wound flavors of plum, anise and pepper.

Deep violet. Blackberry and boysenberry aromas are complicated by white pepper, mocha and licorice. Sappy, palate-coating dark berry flavors show liqueur-like richness and a touch of bitter chocolate. Quite full in the mouth, with good finishing breadth and persistent black and blue fruit nuances. I'd serve this with a strongly seasoned piece of grilled lamb.

Hartford Court’s 2007 Zinfandel Russian River reveals gorgeous sweet black cherry fruit, medium to full body, loads of spice, supple tannins, and that fresh exuberance that makes Zinfandel so appealing. Enjoy it over the next 3-4 years.

Deep ruby. Fresh red and dark berry aromas, complicated by smoked meat, tobacco and fresh flowers. Surprisingly tangy on the palate, displaying intense, medium-bodied raspberry and blackcurrant fruit. Dusty tannins build with air, adding firmness to the long, intensely spicy finish.

Opaque purple color. Flamboyantly aromatic bouquet of blackberry, blueberry, licorice, sandalwood and fresh flowers. Deep, sweet and velvety, offering dense black and blue fruit flavors, soft tannins and building spiciness. Finishes with surprising vivacity and impressive persistence. This is already delicious.

The 2006 Zinfandel Hartford Vineyard comes from 92-year-old vines that are farmed biodynamically. A gorgeous briery, peppery, raspberry, and blueberry nose soars from the glass. The wine is deep ruby/purple-tinged to the rim, full-bodied, and almost Pinot Noir-like in its delicacy and nuances, but the power and heady alcohol (15.9%) in the finish reinforce the Zinfandel’s personality. Drink it over the next 3-4 years.

Deep ruby. Strong floral and spice notes accent cherry and raspberry liqueur, all lifted by bright minerality. Impressively energetic redcurrant and wild strawberry flavors show noteworthy elegance. Finishes on a precise red berry note, with fine tannins and very good persistence.

2005 ZINFANDEL FANUCCHI WOOD ROAD VINEYARD Hartford Court's 2005 Zinfandels are considerably lighter than previous vintages. It was a cool year and I suspect Zinfandel never received the heat it needs to achieve full power. The 2005 Zinfandel Fanucchi-Wood Road Vineyard offers elegant blueberry and raspberry aromas interwoven with hints of pepper and spice. Although medium-bodied, with more intensity, richness, and length than the Hartford Vineyard Zin, it does not possess as much power and richness as the 2004 or 2003....