Medium ruby, the 2015 Zinfandel Redemption offers scents of kirsch, white pepper, dried sage, baked black cherries, underbrush, blackberries and a blueberry hint. Medium-bodied, the palate has savory fruits with herbal accents, firm, chewy tannins and good freshness, finishing somewhat abruptly. 2,300 cases produced.

The 2014 Zinfandel Redemption is medium garnet-purple and gives up classic Zinfandel notes of baked raspberries, raisin cake and prunes with hints of hoisin, balsamic and dusty soil. The full-bodied palate features firm, chewy tannins and a racy backbone lifting the earth and spice-laced baked berry flavors to a long finish. 2,962 cases produced.

The best and the purest, but with more black raspberry to go along with the briary, bramble berry fruit, is the spicy, sexy and attractive, medium to full-bodied 2013 Zinfandel Redemption. This is 100% Zinfandel, aged 15 months in American oak and it is an outstanding bargain in Zinfandel. Drink it over the next several years.

Alexander Valley Vineyards has always done a good job with value Zinfandels. My favorite of the current releases is the 2012 Zinfandel Redemption, which was aged 14 months in barrel. It reveals plenty of peppery, black cherry and blackberry fruit, and cuts a broad swath across the palate with no hard edges. With abundant spice as well as personality, this seductive Zinfandel should drink well for several years.

The 2009 Zinfandel Redemption is laced with tobacco, new leather, spices and game. A solid offering, the 2009 Redemption doesn’t quite have the personality of the other budget wines in this range, but it is clean, well-made and full of varietal character. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2015. Tel. (707) 433-7209