Medium ruby-purple, the 2019 Zinfandel Montafi Ranch opens with broody touches of tar and iron over deeper tones of blood orange and rhubarb. Medium-bodied, it has a firm grip and juicy acidity to support its dark, mineral-laced fruits, and it finishes very long. It feels youthfully wound and could use another year or two in bottle. 241 cases were made.

The 2018 Zinfandel Montafi Ranch has a medium ruby-purple color and a nose of blueberries, violet, citrus peel, dried herbs and potpourri with bright bursts of red berry fruit. In the mouth, it's medium-bodied with a firm but ripe frame, dense, floral fruits and juicy pops of freshness to lift the finish. 628 cases produced.

The 2017 Zinfandel Montafi Ranch contains 11% mixed black varieties. The vineyard was planted in 1926, mainly to Zinfandel but with nine other varieties (but no white grapes). Aged in 25% new French oak, it has a deep ruby-purple color and Syrah-esque nose of cracked peppercorn, prosciutto, baked blackberries and blackcurrant with blue fruit hints, eucalyptus, sage, dried flowers and exotic spices. Medium-bodied, the palate is silky with restrained fruits, lightly chewy tannins and juicy acidity, finishing long and nuanced. 390 cases produced.

A blend of 89% Zinfandel mixed with about eight different other varieties, from vines planted in 1926, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Zinfandel Montafi Ranch offers up a pronounced crème de cassis and blueberry pie nose with touches of camphor, cardamom and dusty soil. The palate is big, rich, full and fruity with loads of earthy notions and a plush texture, finishing with great freshness. 711 cases produced.

Another big boy (15.4%) is the 2015 Zinfandel Montafi Ranch, which is 87% Zinfandel and 13% mixed black varieties. Officer has always done a great job with this Zinfandel, and this is another beauty. The vintage seems to have produced this sort of fleshy, flamboyant and dramatic Zinfandel with loads of forward fruit, plenty of blackberry, raspberry and cherry notes as well as some licorice, charcoal and earth. It is delicious already, even though it’s a barrel sample. Drink it over the next 5-7 years.