The gritty tannins in this ripe zinfandel give the wine enough body to match the most sturdy meats. Plum and blackberry flavors with a dash of cedar.

A GREAT VINTAGE, 2013, and a top producer — Kendall-Jackson: Their Vintner’s Reserve Zinfandel from Mendocino County is amazing. K-J has grown exponentially since Jess Jackson pioneered this brand. Following his death in 2011, his wife, Barbara Banke, has steered a strong course. This $17 Zinfandel shows what a great year and great vineyards will produce. Jackson Family Wines, the parent company, has never slowed down.

As with many wines, the top zins are pricey. But I've recently tasted a number of good, easy-to-drink zins that are much less expensive...Also very good are Kendall-Jackson's 2013 Vintner's Reserve Zinfandel ($17) from Mendocino County, which is brambly and spicy, with bright berry...

Making great zinfandel requires winemakers to be dauntless. For true ripeness the fruit has to linger on the vine, but winemakers know the rains are coming so every day they delay the pick is a test of their resolve. Winemaster Randy Ullom and winemaker Fritz Meier are the steadfast duo behind our wine-of-the-week winner – the Kendall-Jackson, 2012 Vintner’s Reserve, Mendocino County Zinfandel at $17. This zin is layered with notes of blackberry, raspberry, and spice. It has an interesting underpinning of cedar and cracked black pepper, which makes it edgy.

Our Wine of the Week, Kendall-Jackson 2012 Vintner’s Reserve Mendocino County Zinfandel ($17), is big, bold and spicy, with layers of dark berry flavors woven through with sweet spices and accented by a toasty richness. The alcohol, 14.5 percent, is lower than a lot of contemporary California zinfandels, a quality that allows the flavors of the grape to fully emerge. If you’re used to high-alcohol zins, this one might seem a tad edgy, as high alcohol cushions the palate, dulling other flavors. Lovers of this varietal will call it feisty, a confident wine in touch with itself, you could say.

Dark color, aromas of red raspberries, flavors of black plums, full body, ripe tannins.

This wine hails from Jess Jackson’s original vineyard. Zinfandel likes the cool spring and short blast of summer heat followed by early fall. It gives structure to the wine. The 2011 vintage was a tough one for California — and they don’t have many of these. Early rains and cold temps gave winemakers fits. This Zin seems to have escaped unscathed. Fruit is bold and expressive, tannins are smooth, acidity gives the package structure. Think raspberry, blackberry, solid tannins and clove. It has 14 percent Petite Sirah added, which makes it even more serious with a much deeper color and black peppery notes.

...another good buy...So is the bright and spicy 2011 Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Zinfandel made from Mendocino County grapes.

A tasty zinfandel with ripe tannins and good acidity. Briary, with notes of blackberry, black cherry, herbs, spice and caramel.

Rich and sweet, with black cherry and mocha flavors, hearty and full bodied.

Round, cherry/berry fruit.

A snappy zin with notes of tart cherry, raspberry, blackberry herbs and black pepper. A hint of caramel. Spicy finish.

Rich and soft and fruit, with red raspberry flavors.

Temperate in ripeness, nicely rounded in fell and very generous in its straightforward, berryish fruit, this carefully made middle-weight might arguably wants for little more ambition, but its combination of cleanliness, fine balance and accessibilty makes it a frontrunner in terms of honest varietal value.

Restaurant buyers love to hate K-J. Consumers love it. So do critics. Value. Quality. Flavor. I have nothing but respect for the continuing excellence of this brand. The Zin is not a blockbuster, but who can drink a blockbuster all the time? Just give me a varietally correct wine that has body, balance and flavor. This Zin from various regions of Northern California, has intense plum, raspberry and blackberry aromas, with cedar and spice to make it more interesting. The palate has soft tannins and flavors so concentrated, it's like crushing the fruit in your mouth. Just pair it with a grilled steak or burger. For $13 full markup, it's a steal.

Nicely full-flavored, with herbs and good acidity. Big yet restrained. Easy to drink.

This is an inexpensive, easy way to find out why people go nuts over Zinfandel. K-J's 05 Zin is an exotic perfume of cherries, raspberries, chocolate and white pepper, followed by ripe, fruity, spicy flavors and dusty tannins, and a finish that coats the throat.

Sometimes, bigger is better. Kendall-Jackson's 2005 California Vintner's Reserve Zinfandel is a real surprise. It has just enough Zin - 76% - to be legally called Zin. The rest is made up from Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre. Those additional grapes add up to a delicious bottle of wine with a great deal more complexity than is usual at the price.

A good food zin on the lighter side. Brambly, with notes of black cherry, strawberry, cherry and plum.

Does just what VR does across all varieties, offering up a ripe, varietally true Zin that's all about upfront fruit and spice. Finishes with a scour of dusty tannins.

A mix of grapes and diverse growing regions keeps this wine cool juicy and sleek, with black cherry, black olive, blueberry and spice.

...the Kendall-Jackson is one gorgeous zinfandel, layered with rich berry flavors, peppery spice and caressing oak, but not so much wood to keep the fresh fruit from playing the leading role.

Spicy aromas, with red raspberry flavors. Moderate oak. Medium-complexity. Medium-bodied. Soft, easy texture.