Two Outstanding Moderately-Priced Zinfandels from Starry Night in California

Starry Night Winery, founded in 2000 by four previously-amateur winemakers, has been turning out some remarkable zinfandels from various regions in California. Starry Night is a negociant - meaning it doesn't grow its own grapes, but buys from vineyards in the region. Accordingly, there may be some variation in quality and availability year-by-year, but Starry Night has been successful in securing some productive long-term relationships.

Here we review two recent zinfandel offerings.

Review: StarFire Zinfandel, 2006, Lodi, CA

StarFire Zinfandel, 2006 is made from Lodi, CA, grapes and bottled by Starry Night Winery of Sebastopol, CA. I enjoyed an earlier vintage (2001) Starry Night Zinfandel from the Terra Alta Vineyard in Lodi, reviewed here.

The StarFire Lodi Zinfandel, 2006, shows deep dusty red in the glass. Not opaque, no bricking or purple. It has a deep, almost brooding aroma, nice touch of charred oak with the fruit.

On the palate, a sweet, dark oak is quite noticeable at first in the middle, with deep black and red fruits with a touch of spice swirling about it. Think blackberries and black cherries. Enough toughness and mild acid to stay in bottle for a few more years, but no harm to be drinking this right away either. Finish is a touch hot of alcohol, but still mellow and slightly sweet.

Three stars with a plus for its deep edginess. Awesome value.

Find StarFire Zinfandel at WineZap.

Review: Starry Night Zinfandel, 2003, Wilderotter Vineyard, Amador County, CA

Starry Night Zinfandel, 2003, Wilderotter Vineyard, hails from Amador County in California. Grapes come from an 1100 foot elevation in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Production was limited to just over 300 cases.

In the glass, Starry Night Wilderotter Zinfandel is quite light red, moving towards brick highlights with its few years of age. You could mistake it for a pinot noir at first glance. On the nose, aromas are intense, powerful, even youthfully exhuberant. There is a distinct aged-cinnamon mixed with the red berries. A hint of vanilla motor oil plus pine needles adds a slick, viscous feeling. Quite beckoning.

On the palate, sweet cedar and pine comes to the fore, bringing luscious sweet red berries, steeped in black tea. Tannins are sleek. Acids integrated. Lovely balance. Fresh, gently sweet finish. Wish I had bought more. Four stars. Drinking beautifully now - doesn't really need any more settling time in bottle. Seriously awesome value in a handsomely-made, moderately-priced zinfandel.

Find Starry Night Zinfandel at WineZap.