Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Sobon Estate – REZERVE Primitivo 2022
Amador County, California 🇺🇸

Overview
From the Sierra Foothills, Sobon Estate showcases the raw power of Primitivo (genetically identical to Zinfandel). This high-alcohol (15% ABV) 100% primitivo goodness shows bold, spicy, and deliciously concentrated wine that screams food pairings!

Aromas & Flavors
Blackberry jam, ripe plum, and dark cherry layered with cinnamon, peppercorn, cedar, and toasted oak. Vanilla and smoky mocha notes dominate the background, making it rich and intense.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied with gripping tannins and a fiery core of alcohol warmth. The oak is pronounced, giving structure but also leaning into a woody, spicy personality.

Food Pairings
Grilled ribeye with black pepper, spicy Italian sausage, BBQ short ribs, and aged cheddar cheese.

Verdict
A big, boisterous Primitivo for those who love power, spice, and oak influence. Not subtle—this is a wine that makes its presence felt, perfect for bold food pairings and hearty palates.

Did You Know?
Primitivo and Zinfandel are essentially the same grape, both tracing their DNA back to Croatia’s indigenous Crljenak Kaštelanski. Amador County’s hot, dry climate brings out Primitivo’s fullest, richest expression. — 8 months ago

Ellen Clifford

8.9

Excellent wine. Strong wine. But balanced. Yet the flavors haven’t knitted themselves all as one quite yet. Although much like piecing together the story of Zinfandel aka Tribidrag, the different sensations arresting your attention in separate parts has a charm all its own. — 7 years ago

Mia Kamčev

9.1

Bogato, punog tijela, odlicno za zimske dane — 9 years ago

Matt Austin

Owner/Winemaker, Grosgrain Vineyards, Walla Walla, WA

8.9

Raisiny zin fruit, coarse rustic bitter tannins. Medium bodied, reasonable 13.5% alc. and decidedly old world in feel. This is pretty much how I would have expected zin from Croatia to taste. — 10 years ago

Mark S.

8.9

Zinfandel. Oak. Matured black fruits. Raisin. Earthy. Powerful aroma. Flower. Spices, nutmeg. Masvin Vinogradi Katar Superior Crljenak Zinfandel 16 @4169, Yang, 250518-250531 — a year ago

Kalamota

9.3

A great example/profile of the local crljenak (pronounced tsir-lyeh-knuck) grape done well. A solid balance of tannins and dark cherries. When it’s high quality like this, I like more that it’s Zin offspring. Highly recommend! — 5 years ago

Kaitlyn Cramer

9.2

Excellent. Bright and paired well with a pot roast - brought out more acidity and cut through the richness. — 8 years ago

Mari Ovaskainen

9.4

Very nice wine - highly recommended — 9 years ago

Peter Giles

9.1

Delish. Well made with great structure. Unlike new world Zins it presents itself not as a bomb but as thoughtful. Prune, strawberry and cedar. Drink Croatia! — 12 years ago

Andrew Formi

9.0

Buy again 2018… perfect! — 2 years ago

Michael Chelus

8.9

Cherry, raspberry, currant, blackberry, mossy earth, oak and hints of stewed fruit. Full-bodied and full-bodied. — 3 years ago

Hajime Kawasaki

8.9

zimphandelの原種！
クロアチアワインのエチケットがクール！
しかし味がまだ若い。、 — 7 years ago

Nenad Kesin

9.1

Excellent zinfandel! Lots of oak and dry fruits like raisins in a long aftertaste, well balanced tannins and acidity, but still powerful and masculine. Would recommend! — 8 years ago

Steven Beishuizen

8.9

This one's big. Maybe not California Zin big, but the fact that it's a touch more restrained makes it more subtle in its spiciness than the US version. Anita says I'm really douchy with this review. She's probably right. — 11 years ago

with Anita