Bella Vineyards

Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

9.082 ratings
8.95 pro ratings
Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA
Zinfandel
Lamb, Chicken, Turkey, White Rice, Pasta, Potato, Herbs, Mushrooms, Soft Cheese, Chili & Hot Spicy, Tomato-Based, Duck, Exotic Spices, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Pork, Baking Spices, Pungent Cheese, Beef, Onion, Shallot, Garlic
Top Notes For
Paco Suro

This was terrific. 16 years in. Softening. Still holding onto those leathery notes. Good stuff.

This was terrific. 16 years in. Softening. Still holding onto those leathery notes. Good stuff.

Feb 3rd, 2021
Tom Casagrande

My first wine from this Zin specialist. It’s one of their basic cuvées. This ‘16 is drinking very well right now, but I wouldn’t wait any longer. Nose is open and ripe. Definite Zin signature: blackberry, spice, note of maple syrup, teensy bit of gravel. Mouthfilling and fruity, spreading out expansively in the mouth. But it’s nicely restrained, without jamminess or heat. A bit of soft tannin. Not simple, but not complex either. Nicely composed.

UPDATE (night 2): I’m upping from a 9.1 to a 9.2 because rather than degrading over the course of 24 hours, the flavors have stayed fresh but a little structure has popped up to frame the flavors and tighten up the texture a little, and the wine is the better for it. And that also signals that this should keep nicely another 2-3 years.

My first wine from this Zin specialist. It’s one of their basic cuvées. This ‘16 is drinking very well right now, but I wouldn’t wait any longer. Nose is open and ripe. Definite Zin signature: blackberry, spice, note of maple syrup, teensy bit of gravel. Mouthfilling and fruity, spreading out expansively in the mouth. But it’s nicely restrained, without jamminess or heat. A bit of soft tannin. Not simple, but not complex either. Nicely composed.

UPDATE (night 2): I’m upping from a 9.1 to a 9.2 because rather than degrading over the course of 24 hours, the flavors have stayed fresh but a little structure has popped up to frame the flavors and tighten up the texture a little, and the wine is the better for it. And that also signals that this should keep nicely another 2-3 years.

Dec 10th, 2020
Matt Trader

Bold, jam-less, and elegant.. not classic to modern Zin, however more like older styles of dry creek. Called 100% Red Mt. Cab, but there was probably more red fruit than black there.

Bold, jam-less, and elegant.. not classic to modern Zin, however more like older styles of dry creek. Called 100% Red Mt. Cab, but there was probably more red fruit than black there.

May 2nd, 2018
John W
9.2

Deep ruby coloration. On the nose, cherry, blackberry and sweet tobacco. On the palate, currant, oak and a very long finish of blackberry. Medium to strong tannins and a medium bodied wine lacking a lush mouthfeel. Another excellent zin from Bella.

Deep ruby coloration. On the nose, cherry, blackberry and sweet tobacco. On the palate, currant, oak and a very long finish of blackberry. Medium to strong tannins and a medium bodied wine lacking a lush mouthfeel. Another excellent zin from Bella.

1 person found it helpfulJan 20th, 2017
Sean Rogers

Really like this wine. It was light but had a nice bite to it as well

Really like this wine. It was light but had a nice bite to it as well

1 person found it helpfulJul 3rd, 2016
Matt Trader

I don't drink a lot of zinfandel, but if I did, I'd prefer this one right here. Limited small family production out of Dry Creek, and it shows. This Zin shows power, finesse, and great structure. The nose is hot and intense, full of concentrated red fruits and fresh Mediterranean herbs, lavender, espresso bean, and whole nutmeg. The liquid has a beautiful ruby red color with slow moving long legs due to its 14.8% alcohol. Intense in flavor, the wine exhibits vibrant bing cherry and cranberry fruits, ground black pepper, star anise, cola spice, and a gripping spicy finish. It needed an hour to decant, but once it did it revealed a beautiful, complex juice, overshadowing the sometimes damning critique of Zinfandel being a subpar, fruity red intended for barbecue and patio sipping. The best part is, this one has some great time ahead of it, and will age superbly. Drink now through 2030.

$29.99

I don't drink a lot of zinfandel, but if I did, I'd prefer this one right here. Limited small family production out of Dry Creek, and it shows. This Zin shows power, finesse, and great structure. The nose is hot and intense, full of concentrated red fruits and fresh Mediterranean herbs, lavender, espresso bean, and whole nutmeg. The liquid has a beautiful ruby red color with slow moving long legs due to its 14.8% alcohol. Intense in flavor, the wine exhibits vibrant bing cherry and cranberry fruits, ground black pepper, star anise, cola spice, and a gripping spicy finish. It needed an hour to decant, but once it did it revealed a beautiful, complex juice, overshadowing the sometimes damning critique of Zinfandel being a subpar, fruity red intended for barbecue and patio sipping. The best part is, this one has some great time ahead of it, and will age superbly. Drink now through 2030.

$29.99

Jul 12th, 2016
Sybaritewino C.Lawrence

Notes of souring milk chocolate a la hershey's.

Notes of souring milk chocolate a la hershey's.

Sep 16th, 2015
Kyle Groombridge

Dark fruit and soft dark chocolate undertones, as well as black licorice, blueberry, and vanilla on the nose. Great round mouthfeel and an explosion of fresh fruit! Ripe plum with some spice and alcohol on the finish, which impresses.. Nice.

Dark fruit and soft dark chocolate undertones, as well as black licorice, blueberry, and vanilla on the nose. Great round mouthfeel and an explosion of fresh fruit! Ripe plum with some spice and alcohol on the finish, which impresses.. Nice.

Aug 21st, 2014
Lyle Coffield

Sommelier Kokkari, Evvia Estatorios

8.8

If Zin can be pretty... This is it. Hand sorted... Low yield. Made with love.

If Zin can be pretty... This is it. Hand sorted... Low yield. Made with love.

Aug 8th, 2014
Brett Charpentier

Pretty decent for a generic dry creek valley zin. Raspberry jam with slight vanilla and spice.

Pretty decent for a generic dry creek valley zin. Raspberry jam with slight vanilla and spice.

Sep 3rd, 2020