17% Alcohol Zinfandel Wines

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While the vast majority of table wines have an alcohol content of 12.5 to 14%, most Red Zinfandels have between 15 and 16% alcohol content, with some, especially the ports and the late harvest varieties containing 17% alcohol or more.

In short, there are many fine 17% alcohol Zinfandel wines, many of which are made in the United States.

What Are Zinfandel Wines and Where Do They Come From?

Zinfandel, also known as Zin, is a red-skinned wine grape. Almost all Zinfandel comes from California with small amounts also made in Washington State, Oregon, and New Zealand.  

Often referred to as the "New-world grape" or the "American grape," Zinfandel has a mouth filling, thick berry-like consistency that is at times described as being chewy or jammy.  For the most part, Red Zinfandel tastes of bramble and fresh or fermented red berries with an undertone of peaches or apricots.

Similar wines are made in Italy and Croatia.  In fact, the Zinfandel grape is thought to be indigenous to Croatia.  If this is correct, then the American version of the Zinfandel grape is an immigrant.

Vintners use Zinfandel grapes to make a wide range of wines including full-bodied dry reds, sweet White Zinfandels, light-bodied reds, sweet late-harvest dessert wines, and ports.  Ports are sweet wines that are fortified with neutral grape alcohol that is added before the fermentation process is complete.

Does White Zinfandel Come From A Different Grape? 

White Zinfandel, a blush-colored, slightly sweet wine that is also known as White Zin, does not come from a different grape.  More specifically, White Zinfandel is made by fermenting the grapes without their dark purple skins. 

This sweet wine is usually inexpensive and because it seems less formal than other varieties, it is fairly popular among people who do not drink a lot of wine. Many wine connoisseurs think that White Zinfandel is bland and boring and also believe that Red Zinfandel is too high in alcohol, resulting in wines that are too "hot" and food unfriendly.

Nevertheless, this all-American wine is usually served with bar-b-cued dishes, grilled foods (including grilled vegetables), red meats, pungent cheeses, and richly flavored foods such as game dishes, roasts, and leg of lamb. 

The Alcohol Content of Zinfandel Wines

Zinfandel wines, especially the red varieties, typically contain more alcohol content than most table wines.  For instance, whereas the vast majority of table wines have an alcohol content of 12.5 to 14%, most Red Zinfandels have between 15 and 16% alcohol content, with some, especially the ports and the late harvest varieties, containing 17% alcohol or more.  In fact, as will be seen below, some of the Zinfandel Ports have close to 19% alcohol content.  White Zinfandel, on the other hand, contains about 3 to 8% less alcohol content than Red Zinfandel.

Since late harvest Red Zinfandels and Ports have stronger and sweeter flavors due to their higher alcohol and residual sugar contents, both of these wines are usually served as after-meal or dessert wines. 

Zinfandel Flavors

The usual flavors of Zinfandel wine are the following:

• Blackberry
• Cherry
• Cedar
• Berry
• Vanilla
• Raspberry
• Tar
• Spice
• Blueberry
• Spicy
• Fruity

The 17% Alcohol Zinfandel Wine Club 

The following, in order of lower to higher alcohol content, are examples of Zinfandel wines that are close to or at a 17% alcohol level:

• Turley Zinfandel Duarte Vineyard Contra, Costa, California, vintage 2002.  A 16.7% alcohol content.  A dark color wine with a rhubarb-blackberry fruit flavor.
• Zinfandel Block 11, Pocai Vineyards, Old Vines, vintage 2004.  A 16.7% alcohol content.  A dry, dark wine that comes in root beer, mocha, cherry pie, blackberry tea, and spice flavors.
• The 2001 Late Harvest Zinfandel from Doce Robeles Winery.  A 16.7% alcohol content.  This wine, in addition to being an excellent dessert wine is also great with certain cooking applications such as chilli.  Indeed, with its unique flavors and sweetness, this fine wine will result in a chilli with a unique richness and depth of flavor.
• The 2001 Edmeades, Ciapusci Vineyard, Mendocino Ridge Zinfandel.   A 16.7% alcohol content.  This Zinfandel has a strong blackberry taste and a sweetness that tastes like raisins.
• Turley Napa Valley Moore-Earthquake Vineyard Zinfandel, vintage 1995.  A 16.8% alcohol content. A late harvest, dark color wine with very strong boysenberry-blackberry taste.
• Turley Napa Valley Hayne Vineyard Zinfandel, vintage 1995.  A 16.9% alcohol content.  A late harvest, black color wine with a very strong blackberry-peppery-boysenberry taste.
• The 1996 Turley Zinfandel, Hayne Vineyard - Napa Valley.  A 17% alcohol content.  A purple garnet color that tastes like very spicy and fruity berries.
• Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel California Old Vines, vintage 2003.   A 16 to 17% alcohol content. A dark wine with a fresh berry-like taste.  Approximately $40.00 per bottle.
• Turley, Zinfandel Hayne Vineyard, NAPA Valley, vintage 1996. A 17% alcohol content.  A dark, woody wine with a plum-blackcurrant-blackberry taste.
• Turley Wine Cellars Zinfandel NAPA Valley Hayne Vineyard, vintage 1997.  A 17.1% alcohol content.  A dark wine with an explosive black cherry-raspberry flavor.  Approximately $75.00 per bottle.
• The 2000 Zinfandel Jackass Vineyard.  A 17.2% alcohol content.  500 cases were made.
• Turley Dry Creek Valley Grist Vineyard Zinfandel, vintage 1995.  A 17.3% alcohol content.  A late harvest, very dark wine with very strong blackberry-boysenberry taste.
• Rutherford Hill Winery, NAPA Valley, Zinfandel Port, vintage 2002.  A 18.5% alcohol content.  A dark wine with a berry-like flavor with hints of spice and honey.
• 000 Zinfandel Port Old Vine, vintage 2000.  A 18.7% alcohol level.  A Zinfandel Port wine produced at four vineyards with oak barrel aging.  568 cases were produced.  

To illustrate the mentality that many wine makers and wine connoisseurs have about Zinfandel wines, one Zinfandel wine maker named Ravenswood coined what is known as Ravenswood’s motto: No wimpy wines.

Turley Vineyards 17% Alcohol Zinfandel Wines

One final note.  Many of the above listed 17% alcohol Zinfandel wines are made by the Turley Vineyards.  While the Turley wines are known for strong, rich flavors as well as for power and concentration, it is also interesting to point out that these wines are usually only found on restaurant wine lists and typically cost between $90 and $150 or more per bottle!  The following are some of the fine Turley 17% alcohol Zinfandel wines that are available in finer restaurants:

• 1212r Turley Pesenti Vineyard, Paso Robles Zinfandel, vintage 2001. $90 per bottle.
• 1215r Turley Dogtown Vineyards Lodi Zinfandel, vintage 2002.  $100 per bottle.
• 1217r Turley Dusi Vineyards Paso Robles Zinfandel, vintage, 2002. $100 per bottle.
• 1216r Turley Uberroth Vineyards Paso Robles Zinfandel, vintage 2002. $120 per bottle.
• 1211r Turley Hayne Vineyard, NAPA Valley Zinfandel, vintage 2000.  $135 per bottle.

17% Alcohol Zinfandel Wines:  Conclusion

Even though most table wines have an alcohol content of 12.5 to 14%, most Red Zinfandels, however, have between 15 and 16% alcohol content.  Not only this, but some of the Red Zinfandels, especially the ports and the late harvest varieties, contain 17% or more alcohol.

In sum, not only are many 17% alcohol Zinfandel wines made in the United States, but some of the best 17% alcohol Zinfandel wines in the world are produced by the United States-based Turley Vineyards.

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