Summary

None of the Lodi Zinfandels we tasted were considered undrinkable or bad by our Zinfanatic tasters.  However, as a whole the Lodi wines are lighter and less impressive than the Sonoma County Zinfandels we tasted in May.  The best of the Lodi Zinfandels from our June tasting would likely have ranked in the middle of the Sonoma County group while the weakest from Lodi are fairly boring.  Listed alphabetically, here are the four wines that finished lowest in the Zinfanatic group rankings of Lodi Zinfandels.

Gnekow Campus Oaks Zinfandel Old Vine Lodi (2007)

Rating:  80

Approximate Price:  $12

Cutting:  A soft light cherry flavored wine without much character

The Campus Oaks Zinfandel is a very light textured wine with light medicinal cherry, strawberry and spicy aromas and flavors.  Some Zinfanatics detected wood and vanilla characteristics.  A very short finish.  Not for serious Zinfanatics.

Klinker Brick Zinfandel Old Vine Lodi (2007)

Rating:  85

Approximate Price:   $15

Cutting:  Smoke and spice predominate over fruit in a way that does not appeal to some Zinfanatics

The Klinker Brick Zinfandel Old Vine contains smoky, meaty, spicy, raspberry and black cherry aromas.  Flavors tend toward smoky, spice, cedar and black cherry.  With the emphasis on smoke and spice rather than fruit, most Zinfanatics did not like this wine.  Our senior Zinfanatic found the nose pleasant, but a bit of a disappointment on the palate.

Michael ~ David 7 Deadly Zins Zinfandel Old Vine Lodi (2007)

Rating:  89

Approximate Price:  $13

Cutting:  A wine that elicits widely varying evaluations

Chocolaty, spicy, minty, blackberry and cherry aromas and flavors characterize the 7 Deadly Zins from Michael ~ David.  Some tasters were put off by what they described as vegetative, minty and cough syrup characteristics, but our senior Zinfanatic enjoyed the strong chocolate and spice aromas.  Light t medium texture with a medium finish.  A good value.

Plungerhead Zinfandel Old Vine Lodi (2007)

Rating:  82

Approximate Price:  $14

Cutting:  Smoke, cherry and spice along with some unpleasant characteristics

Some of our Zinfanatics observed smoky, cherry and spice aromas and flavors in this Plungerhead Zinfandel Old Vine from Lodi.  But several tasters noted unpleasant vegetative or petrol aromas and some harshness on the palate.  Light texture and not much depth.