Flavors are just as light and engaging as its nose. Medium-bodied and almost juicy in the mouth, this is a zippy, quaffable offering.

Leather, black fruit, vanilla from oak, orange zest. Massive extraction with woodsy aspects dominant. Mouthwatering acids in perfect harmony with lush oak and gripping tannins.

One of the 12 top-rated wines tasted since December 1994. Spicy-jammy Zinfandel aroma, oak accents; well-balanced flavors packed with bright fruit; a complete wine. Good with venison chili, hearty cheeses.

Appealing aromas offer ripe-ish, berryish scents with hints of dark chocolate as well as the forward presence of creamy oak. Medium-full bodied and supple, the wine shows fruity, berryish qualities.

Hints of wild berry and spicy raspberry come through on the finish.

Warm and spicy style of fruit on the nose, with well blended oak and fruit characteristics on the palate. Quite a serious wine, and one that will improve.

Excellent.

Excellent. With deep ruby/purple colors, wonderful aromas of ripe fruit, and rich, concentrated personality. This will drink well through the turn of the century. A terrific Zinfandel.

If you can find it, grab it. Sensational, rich and fruity.

A light, refreshing style. Best while the fruit's fresh and lively; drink now to 1995.

Recommended.

Excellent. With deep ruby/purple colors, wonderful aromas of ripe fruit, and rich, concentrated personality. This will drink well through the turn of the century.

Highly recommended.

The generous oak is well-supported by ripe berryish varietal fruit, and the nose is further enriched by nuances of oregano, spice and butter. Rich, round, well-balanced and full of fruit.

What a surprise! Delicious. Lots of deep, berry fruit.

This deep colored wine's immediate appeal lies in its spicey vibrant bouquet reminiscent of herbed-smoked meats. Full-bodied and nicely extracted, mint, olive, and black cherry flavors come into play on the palate. Black pepper jazzs up a velvety finish.

Delicious. Big, round mouth-feel with some sweet alcohol almost makes it taste like a merlot. Nicely done.

Ripe and peppery, with fresh plum and cherry-scented flavors that are focused and pure on the finish.

Winemaker Randy Ullum crafts this Zinfandel from grapes grown in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties, aging the wine in 56% French oak. Tasters will enjoy aromas and flavors of plum, raspberry jam and blackberry with notes of cedar, baking spice and mineral.

Wines of the Week Vintner’s Reserve is the flagship line of wines from Kendall Jackson using grapes grown in cool coastal vineyards of California. This vintage offers distinct notes of spicy oak framing aromas and flavors of cherry and blackberry, finishing with firm tannins to pair with steaks from the grill or pastas with hearty sauces.

Here’s another authentic California Zinfandel coming from less heralded, but equally superb Mendocino County up the coast off Highway 101. Vineyards here are equally famous for Zinfandel with very old vines, and are dry farmed to produce intense, ripe fruit. As KJ winemaster Randy Ullom celebrates his 25 years with the brand, he comments on the wine’s “plum, raspberry jam and blackberry flavors, supported by chalky tannins – with sultry cedar and spice accents.”

Giving it Socks? No. Wine! 11 Man-tastic Wines for Dads on Father’s Day Subtle peppery oak cask aromas. Still very early in its development with the barrel aging dominant on the palate, like an oak craft sailing on a dark brooding sea. Food friend: requires a simple rich dark meat. Try duck breast wrapped with smoked rashers and roasted together with plums.

Wine review: bottles that pair well with vegetable dishes Soft, warming red wines pair well with root vegetables. This bottle from Kendall-Jackson has ripe purple fruit aromatics of plum and blueberry, and will taste great with roasted vegetables, especially tomatoes.

Try these selections if your post-holidays wallet is a bit light From the brand started in 1983, Kendall-Jackson has grown into one of the world's larger family-owned wine companies. The Vintner's Reserve line remains the company's backbone.