Price: $8
Maker: Trinity Oaks
Variety: Zinfandel
Packaging: Bottle, natural cork
Our Rating: 8 out of 10
While stores are flooded with inexpensive merlots, cabernets, and shirazes, it seems that cheap zinfandels are much less common. We were delighted to encounter Trinity Oaks Zinfandel 2001 for a mere $6 on sale. Not only was the price right, a quick search of the Trinity Oaks site disclosed that the wine had won a silver medal in the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, and bronzes in a host of others, including the Grand Harvest Wine Competition, the LA County Fair, the New World International Wine Competition, the Riverside International Wine Competition, the West Coast Wine Competition, and theCalifornia State Fair. With this pedigree, the wine seemed like a sure winner.
We found the aroma to be a mild blend of berry and spice. Uncharacteristically for a Zinfandel, the wine had relatively weak fruit flavor, with the berry characteristics mixed with tannins, oak, and spice. The finish was long and spicy, with lingering and tangy acidity. This wine wasn’t bad by any means, but was a bit disappointing considering its Zin pedigree and host of awards.
If you are looking for an alternative to well-under-$10 cabs and merlots, give the Trinity Oaks zin a try.
One thought on “Trinity Oaks Zinfandel 2001”