The origins of Zinfandel trace back to Croatia where it’s known as Tribidrag or Crljenak Kaštelanski. In the US, the variety is known as Zinfandel, playing a key role in the establishment of California’s wine industry, and in Italy it’s recognised as Primitivo where the region of Puglia is home.
Though elegant, fruity and fresh styles exist, Zinfandel tends to include brambly red and black berry aromas, dried and cooked fruits alongside spice, sometimes with vanilla or chocolatey notes from oak.
Growing well in a warm climate, high sugar levels at harvest lead to high alcohol wines, yet the best examples balance this well with concentration of flavour, a rich mouthfeel and considered acidity.
Scroll down to see the top Zinfandel & Primitivo wines from DWWA 2024
From rich and robust Californian reds to cherry-scented, spicy Puglian variations and savoury, jammy Dalmatian wines, results from Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2024 highlight the wide range of styles produced from this often underrated grape variety.
This year’s highest scoring Zinfandel was awarded to The Specialyst, Zinfandel, Lodi, California 2020. Awarded 95 points and a Gold medal, the DWWA judges noted its power and ambition, with aromas and flavours of jammy red fruit and toast and an attractive violet perfume which befits the structured palate and bounding tannins perfectly. California claimed more Silver medals and a number of Bronze.
From Italy, a majority of Silver medals (90-94 points) were awarded to Primitivos from Puglia, with one juicy, elegant and aromatic wine from Campania making the list. Elsewhere, Croatia received a couple of Silver medals and a number of high Bronze (86-89 points).
Celebrated annually on the third Wednesday of November, below discover 10 medal-winning wines to celebrate National Zinfandel Day, with more to discover at awards.decanter.com
Award-winning Zinfandel & Primitivo: 10 to try
Croatia
Ante Sladić Vino, Tribidrag, Dalmatinska Zagora, Coastal 2016
Silver, 91 points
Brambly and rich nose with aromas of mint and plush dark fruit notes, touches of toasty mocha. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins. Alcohol 14.5%
Italy
Cantine San Marzano, Marks & Spencer Notte Stellata, Primitivo di Manduria, Puglia 2022
Silver, 90 points
Juicy dark berries fruit, gently savoury and youthful freshness with elegant tannic grip. Alc 13.5%
Cantine Torrevento, Ghenos, Primitivo di Manduria, Puglia 2022
Silver, 90 points
Red berry and cherry fruit flavours in a supple-textured framework of juicy fresh acidity and a light grip of tannins. Alc. 14%
Claudio Quarta Vignaiolo, Oro Di Eméra, Primitivo di Manduria, Puglia 2020
Silver, 90 points
Earthy, rich and elegant with pencil shavings oak ripe fruit velvety tannins and long fruity finish. Alc 15%
Tenuta Viglione, Sellato Primitivo, Gioia del Colle, Puglia 2021
Silver, 90 points
Bright and fresh red and black cherries and savoury minty notes, expressive with balsamic, toasted nuances and juicy freshness. Alc 14%
Tenute Bianchino, Bacco Primitivo, Falerno del Massico, Campania 2019
Silver, 90 points
Attractive fresh aromatics of dark berries, plums and chocolate tones, juicy with ripe tannins, elegant and easy drinking style. Alc 14%
United States
The Specialyst, Zinfandel, Lodi, California 2020
Gold, 95 points
Full of ambition and power with oodles of jammy red fruit, toast and an attractive violet perfume which befits the structured palate and bounding tannins perfectly. Alc 14.1%
Grgich Hills, Zinfandel, Napa Valley, California 2019
Silver, 92 points
Opulent and lavish nose of menthol, cassis and spice, palate of dark fruit, redcurrant, bramble and spicy oak. Alc 14.5%
Seghesio Family Vineyards, Cortina Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley, California 2021
Silver, 92 points
Aromatic and perfumed, with a black and red cherry elegance, palate of violet, spiced black plum and dried strawberry. Alc 15%
Joel Gott, Zinfandel, California 2022
Silver, 90 points
Menthol and minty on the nose, then to a palate of bramble, black fig and baked berry. Alc 14.4%
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