7 Deadly Zins Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon

Size: 750ml

7 Deadly Zins Old Vine Zinfandel 2017

This wine, 7 Deadly’s main selection, was first released in 2002, starting with 700 cases of the 2000 harvest. According to the winery, “7 Deadly was born from a Catholic school upbringing, and our winemaker’s lust for hedonistically seductive wine. Seven certified-sustainable vineyards were chosen for the inaugural vintage. The Seven Sins were related to the seven old vine Zinfandels blended to create 7 Deadly Zins, now America’s favorite Zinfandel.”

Clear and dark purple in the glass, this wine starts with aromas of dark stone fruit and leather. There is plenty of traditional zinfandel pepper on the palate, abetted by tart cherry and racy acidity. It ends in a medium finish, with a bit of cardamom bitterness.

7 Deadly Cab Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

That “Zins” pun just doesn’t work when you replace it with “Cab,” does it? A peril of trying to overextend a clever marketing concept. Regardless, the wine itself works pretty well. It has the same dark purple color of the Zinfandel, with plum, vanilla, and a bit of marshmallow on the nose. Flavors of blackberry and bing cherry follow. It has a rather thin mouthfeel, but well-structured tannins and a moderately long finish. It is an approachable and easy-drinking Cabernet. The 2020 is the first release of 7 Deadly Cab.