Two Best-Selling Varietals We Can't Get Enough Of

Here in Sonoma County we are big fans of Chardonnay and Zinfandel, so this week we rounded up a case of best-sellers we know and love! Many are from this region, but a few other exceptional ones made the cut too.

1. 2017 Sebastiani North Coast Chardonnay

Retail Price: $14.00
Our Price: $10.99

Press Democrat Wine of the Week, 4 Stars

"This is a layered Chardonnay that definitely overdelivers for the caliber of wine. It's a rich chardonnay with notes of creme brulee and vanilla. But it's kept in check with bright flavors of citrus and mineral. Apricot and peach find their way into the mix. This chardonnay has great balance and nice length. It will no doubt be a talker, a great find for the wine-savvy budget minded"

2. 2017 Camp Sonoma County Zinfandel

Retail Price: $21.00
Our Price: $17.99

The winery writes, "The 2017 Zinfandel is 91% Zinfandel and 9% Petite Sirah picked on the same day from the Ceja Vineyard in Sonoma Valley and co-fermented in stainless steel tanks. Aging was in a combination of older French and American oak barrels. This Zin is bright and juicy and very easy drinking and refreshing for a red wine."

3. 2016 Forchini Old Vine Proprietors Reserve Zinfandel

Retail Price: $30.00
Our Price: $25.99

Gold Medal, West Coast Wine Competition

The winery writes, "Our Zinfandels are classic Dry Creek and produced from 100 year old  head pruned vines from our historic pre-prohibition  vineyard located on the elevated east benchland of  Dry Creek Valley. These magnificent non-irrigated vines are a living testament to the unique combination of this old clone with  the deep rooted St. George rootstock.  Low yields enable maximum ripeness in the fruit which produce a full bodied dry wine with intense mixed briary berry flavors, deep ruby red color,  fragrant spice and bold alcohol.  Co-fermented with small amounts of Carignane and Cabernet for structure and a supple balanced finish without heat.  Aged 20 months in 40% new MN American oak barrels.  A great wine to pair with braised meats with rich sauces, lamb or fancy Italian entrees."

4. 2016 Bella Vineyards Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

Retail Price: $29.00
Our Price: $25.99

Tasting Note: From its pretty floral aromatics to its lush mouthfeel and luxurious fruit, this wine embodies the delicious character and complexity of great Dry Creek Valley zinfandel. On the palate, juicy flavors of blackberry and black cherry are underscored by an enticing spiciness that linger, on the elegant finish.

Winemaking Notes: After an exceptional growing season that produced wonderful color and concentration, the grapes for our Dry Creek Valley zinfandel were hand-harvested between September 10th and September 28th. After being carefully sorted and destemmed, the wines were given two pump-overs a day during active fermentation. After fermentation, the wine was barreled-down into a combination of 85% French, 10% Hungarian and 5% American oak, with 20% new oak overall.

5. 2016 Miro Cellars Mounts Vineyard Reserve Zinfandel

Retail Price: $38.00
Our Price: $26.99

Wine Advocate, 92 Points

"The 2016 Zinfandel Mounts Miro Reserve is medium garnet-purple with a nose of raspberry pie, kirsch and blueberry compote with notions of potpourri, baking spices and anise. The palate is super big, rich, full and plush with great freshness and expression, finishing long and spicy. 191 cases produced."

6. 2017 Broc Cellars Vine Starr Zinfandel

Retail Price: $32.00
Our Price: $28.99

Winemaker Notes: "Picked at low brix to highlight acidity, nerve, and fruit on the bright-red spectrum of Zinfandel. Essential aromatics of bramble-brush and spice remind us what we're drinking, but the palate, alive with fresh mouth-watering acidity and subtle nuances of fruit are a departure from the expected. Delicacy, finesse - a distilled, pure eau-de-vie focus of flavor has invigorated our fondness for this often less-than-magnificent variety.

Inspired by the wines from Beaujolais and Northern Rhone, we harvested early to highlight acidity and fresh fruit. 100% destemmed and fermented in 5-ton stainless steel tanks. Aged for 10 months in neutral French oak barrels."

7. 2016 Preston of Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

Retail Price: $38.00
Our Price: $29.99

Wine Enthusiast, 91 Points

"From the producer’s organic and biodynamically farmed vineyard, this is blended with 10% Mourvèdre and 7% Carignan, and is robust in oak, tannin and baking spice. Tart cherry and blackberry combine in tandem with black licorice and meaty elements that contrast well."

Organic and biodynamically grown.

8. 2016 Cruse Wine Co. Rorick Vineyard Sierra Foothills Chardonnay

Retail Price: $34.99
Our Price: $29.99

Vineyard: This wine comes from a completely unique site high in the Sierra Foothills just outside of the town of Murphys. The vines are own-rooted and planted in 1974 in schist soils over a limestone bedrock and was recently purchased by Matthew Rorick and his family. The vine age, elevation, and insanely, rocky soils create incredibly low yielding vines with the tiniest of clusters.

Winemaking: The grapes received a short overnight soak on skins, then were gently pressed using a long Champagne press cycle. Juice was transferred to neutral barrels and fermentation occurred spontaneously. The wine received a bit of sulfur in the late spring, at the end of malic.

9. 2015 Amapola Creek Monte Rosso Vineyard Zinfandel

Retail Price: $50.00
Our Price: $32.99

Wine Advocate, 93 Points

"The medium garnet-purple colored 2015 Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard gives up notes of baked plums and blueberry compote with touches of black raspberries, fallen leaves and spice box plus touches of unsmoked cigars and garrigue. Full-bodied and packing tons of spicy red berry preserves and earthy layers, it has a firm frame of chewy tannins and great freshness, finishing long."

10. 2018 Lloyd Cellars Carneros Chardonnay

Production Notes: "100% Chardonnay sourced predominately from Sangiacomo Vineyards, Kiser, Home and Green Acre Blocks with a small amount of fruit from the Truchard Vineyard. Barrel fermented and aged for 10 months in American oak. Left on the lees right until bottling."

11. 2014 Peake Ranch Sierra Madre Vineyard Chardonnay

Retail Price: $50.00
Our Price: $34.99

Wine Advocate, 96 Points

"A rock star in the vintage, Peake Ranch’s 2014 Chardonnay Sierra Madre Vineyard (100% Chardonnay aged 14 months in 70% new French oak) gives up a fabulous array of lemon curd, charcoal, citrus blossom and brioche. Rich, gorgeously textured, balanced and just impeccably put together, with the oak covered by fruit, drink this killer white over the coming 4-5 years."

12. 2015 Liquid Farm Golden Slope Chardonnay

Retail Price: $52.00
Our Price: $47.99

Vinous, 93 Points

"The 2015 Chardonnay Golden Slope captures an attractive stylistic middle ground that expresses notable textural richness and creaminess while retaining a good bit of aromatic nuance. Orchard fruit, wild flowers and a touch of reduction add complexity."

Did we miss your favorites? Let us know in the comments!