Drink.  Learn.  Laugh.  Repeat.

Welcome Back!Sign in here:

Not Registered?Become one of our thirsty clan 332,941 strong:

Register Today!

Sledgehammer Zinfandel 2013 Wine Review

Sledgehammer Zinfandel 2013

Sledgehammer Zinfandel 2013

California, United States

Community Score:87/100

Community Reviews: 7

  Add My Review


Price: $16.95

Drink: 2013-2019

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 14.5%

Sweetness: Dry

Wine Type: Red Wine


Winery: Sledgehammer

Agent: Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits

Natalie's Score: 89/100

Blackberry jam with campfire smoke. Full-bodied and smooth. Luscious and jammy great. Pair with barbecued spare ribs or spicy chicken wings.

This Sledgehammer Zinfandel 2013 was reviewed on April 20, 2016 by Natalie MacLean

More Vintages: 2010  2009  2011 

  Add New Vintage

Pricing & Stock Information

  • BCLDB
  • 181313
  • $9.84 
  • Check Stock
  • AGLC
  • 740078
  • $17.00

Reviews and Ratings

Douglas McMillan rated this wine as 88/100 with the following review:

Plum and raspberry but with a nice dusty herb aroma as well. The taste is smooth blackberry and plum with a bit of the dustiness carrying through. A little less fruity than the average Zinfandel. This would pair nicely with soft cheeses.
Courtney Flood rated this wine as 88/100 with the following review:

Cherry syrup, molasses, cocoa powder and slight aroma of pine needle. Very plush. Pair with a box of chocolates!
Jennifer Havers - WSET Level 3 rated this wine as 87/100 with the following review:

A pretty typical California Zin at a decent price. Aromas are mostly ripe cherry and strawberry, a bit on the jammy side, but not too sweet. Also a hint of smoke and leather. Palate is similar, but fruit is not too sweet. Light to medium body, would be good with a burgers or other grilled items.
Rachelle O'Connor rated this wine as 87/100 with the following review:

Loads of dark berries and fire pit smoke, herbs - jammy flavors, sour cherry, leather, and wet wood. Light to medium bodied, great with grilled lentil burgers.
Emilie Ryan rated this wine as 86/100 with the following review:

A very nice and affordable Zin that balances fruit and terroir…
Presentation: A colourful, creative label. Even the cork fits the modern look
Appearance: Light ruby red
Nose: Sweet berries, leather, fresh cut grass and a little smoke
Taste: Sour fruit, leather, anise, wood
Finish: Sour fruit, dirt, leather
Overall impression: An easy wine, fruity but with some earth, leather and a tinge of toastiness. Would pair well with many dishes, such as cheeses, meat or grilled vegetables.
Value: 4/5
Mary Anne van Gaal rated this wine as 86/100 with the following review:

Like a sledgehammer this Zinfandel hits the spot. Bold aromas of ripe berries and smoke hit the nose and flavours of sour cherry, herbs and minerals seduce the tongue. It would be terrific with barbecued beef.

If you liked the Sledgehammer Zinfandel 2013, you might also like these wines:

WANT TO LEARN HOW TO

PAIR WINE
& FOOD?

Join me in a free online video class to learn the secrets to perfect pairings.

Wine of the Week

As featured on  

CTV Wine of the Week!

Noughty Sparkling Wine
Sparkling Chardonnay,
La Mancha ...

Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean offers North America's most popular online wine and food pairing classes. She was named the World's Best Drinks Writer at the World Food Media Awards in Australia.

Natalie has published two books with Random House, both selected as one of Amazon's Best Books of the Year.

Join 332,941 thirsty wine lovers who get access to all of her wine reviews by becoming a member of her site. Take a free online pairing class with her here.

FEEL LOST IN THE

LCBO?

Know the wines you want before you even get to the store with my wine reviews. Join now. It's free.

Red, White & Drunk All Over

  Best Books of the Year

Red, White & Drunk all over by Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean writes about wine with a sensuous obsession... and often laugh-out-loud funny... Terrific.

Rex Pickett, Sideways

Ms. MacLean is the disarming Everywoman. She loves wine, loves drinking ... ultimately, it's a winning formula.

Eric Asimov, The New York Times

GOT A SMARTPHONE?

Access my reviews on mobile with the bar code scanner.

GET NAT'S APP

Unquenchable: A Tipsy Search

  Best Books of the Year

Unquenchable by Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean is a new force in the wine writing world ‐ a feisty North American answer to Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson. She can write beautifully about wine.

The Financial Times of London

There are very few people in the wine world who "get it" and Natalie is one of those who brings more fun to a buttoned-up and stodgy game.

Gary Vaynerchuck, Wine Library TV

Starting a Wine Cellar?

Expert advice for all budgets

Insider tips on starting a wine cellar
From wine racks to underground caves, insider tips on size and space, number of bottles, ideal conditions and reputable resources.   learn more  
Winner World's Best Drink Writer
WFour-Time Winner James Beard Foundation
Five-Time Winner Association of Food Journalists
Six-Time Winner Bert Greene Award
Best Wine Literature Book Gourmand World Cookbook Awards
Online Writer of the Year Louis Roederer International Wine Writing Award