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Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin, Lodi California
89 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: California Lodi
Vintage: 2018
Price:
BC: $18.99
Widely Available: $15.0 to $20 across Canada

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -297929
Had this wine? Rate It.
WineScores' Review

Grilling, spicy, supple.

It's been years since I've reviewed the Gnarly Head, a wine named for the gnarled bush (or head pruned) vines typical in older California Zinfandel vineyards.
It seems pretty consistent and the 2018 vintage offers smoked paprika, sour cherries, vanilla, blackberries, cinnamon, clove, star anise and black peppercorns atop mocha and saddle leather.
A supple entry sets the tone for generous flavours of chocolate covered cherries, baking spice, coffee, pipe tobacco and hints of soy sauce. Sweet plush fruit, a silky texture and ripe tannins are all in check.
A Zin to pair with sweet and spicy ribs, chilidogs, pizza or grilled burgers.
Keep an eye out for a chance to win a professional grade Napoleon Barbecue this summer, starting June 15th, in a partnership campaign called Summer Just Got Lit with Gnarly Head and Canadian owned Napoleon Grills.


 
Recommended Pairings
Spicy Food, Chocolate, Barbeque, Junk Food, Fast Food & Snacks, Game Day Wines


©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores reviewed - 2021-05-30 14:43:21.0

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Reviews: 60, Pages: 1 of 1, 1
Gnarly Head Chardonnay, California
88 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: California Lodi
Vintage: 2020
Price:
BC Private Wine Stores: $20.0 +price will vary
Widely Available: $20.0 + across Canada

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -297929

Ranking: 100.000307
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Lake Sonoma Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County California
91 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: California Sonoma
Vintage: 2019
Price:
AB: $30.0 + price will vary
BC: $29.99
ON: $29.95 consignment
Quebec: $33.0

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -355719

Ranking: 65.001395
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Lake Sonoma Winery Dry Creek Zinfandel, Sonoma County California
92 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: California Sonoma
Vintage: 2018
Price:
BC: $25.99
Widely Available: $25.0 + across Canada

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -355719

Ranking: 65.0013
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Lake Sonoma Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County California
92 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: California Sonoma
Vintage: 2018
Price:
AB: $30.0 + price will vary
BC: $28.99
ON: $29.95 consignment
Quebec: $33.0

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -355719

Ranking: 65.001082
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Lake Sonoma Winery Dry Creek Zinfandel, Sonoma County California
91 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: California Sonoma
Vintage: 2019
Price:
BC: $27.99
Widely Available: $25.0 + across Canada

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -355719

Ranking: 65.000884
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Lake Sonoma Winery Pinot Noir, Sonoma County California
92 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: California Sonoma
Vintage: 2018
Price:
BC: $30.0 +price will vary

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -355719

Ranking: 65.00006
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Moon Curser 'Dead of Night', Okanagan Valley BC
92 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: Okanagan Valley Oliver / Osoyoos
Vintage: 2020
Price:
BC Private Wine Stores: $45.0 + price will vary
Winery: $44.0

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -806117

Ranking: 61.001098
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Moon Curser 'Dead of Night', Okanagan Valley BC
89 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: Okanagan Valley Oliver / Osoyoos
Vintage: 2021
Price:
BC Private Wine Stores: $50.0 + price will vary
Winery: $46.99

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -806117

Ranking: 22.000966
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Moon Curser 'Dead of Night', Okanagan Valley BC
89 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: Okanagan Valley Oliver / Osoyoos
Vintage: 2021
Price:
BC Private Wine Stores: $50.0 + price will vary
Winery: $45.99

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -806117

Ranking: 22.000397
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Moon Curser 'Dead of Night', Okanagan Valley BC
92 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: Okanagan Valley Oliver / Osoyoos
Vintage: 2019
Price:
BC Private Wine Stores: $45.0 + price will vary
Winery: $43.0

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -806117

Ranking: 22.000032
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Frescobaldi 'Perano', Chianti Classico, Tuscany Italy
93 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region:
Vintage: 2019
Price:
BC: $35.0 +price will vary

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -24211

Ranking: 16.000849
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McWatters Collection White Meritage, Okanagan Valley BC
90 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: British Columbia Okanagan Valley
Vintage: 2020
Price:
Winery: $30.0

BC CSPC:
Ranking: 22.001473
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Moon Curser Cabernet Sauvignon, Okanagan Valley BC
91 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: Okanagan Valley Oliver / Osoyoos
Vintage: 2018
Price:
BC Private Wine Stores: $45.0 + price will vary
Winery: $42.99

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -231217

Ranking: 22.001469
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Hester Creek Cabernet Franc 'Old Vine', Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley BC
92 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: British Columbia Oliver
Vintage: 2020
Price:
BC: $28.95
Winery: $28.95

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -467332

Ranking: 22.001457
Had this wine? Rate It.

Finca Las Moras 'Paz' Malbec, San Juan Cuyo, Argentina
92 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region:
Vintage: 2020
Price:
BC: $17.99

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -35196

Ranking: 22.001428
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Hester Creek Cabernet Franc 'Old Vine', Okanagan Valley BC
92 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: British Columbia Oliver
Vintage: 2022
Price:
BC: $29.99
Winery: $29.99

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -467332

Ranking: 22.001417
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Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon, North Coast California
91 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: California Napa Valley
Vintage: 2018
Price:
BC: $26.49

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -335794

Ranking: 22.001292
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Charles Smith 'CS Substance' Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington State
91 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: Washington Columbia Valley
Vintage: 2019
Price:
BC: $25.99

BC CSPC:
Ranking: 22.001257
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Gold Hill Cabernet Franc Rose, Okanagan Valley, BC
89 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: British Columbia Oliver
Vintage: 2020
Price:
Winery: $22.99

BC CSPC:
Ranking: 22.001189
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Gold Hill Syrah, Okanagan Valley, BC
93 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: British Columbia Oliver
Vintage: 2018
Price:
Winery: $42.99

BC CSPC:
Ranking: 24.001176
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Chronos Merlot, Okanagan Valley BC
90 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: British Columbia Okanagan Valley
Vintage: 2020
Price:
BC Private Wine Stores: $30.0 + price may vary
Winery: $29.99

BC CSPC:
Ranking: 24.001151
Had this wine? Rate It.

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Merlot, Okanagan Valley BC
90 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: British Columbia Oliver
Vintage: 2022
Price:
BC Private Wine Stores: $40.0 + price will vary
Winery: $35.0

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -283846

Ranking: 24.001136
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Gold Hill Cabernet Franc Rose, Okanagan Valley, BC
89 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: British Columbia Oliver
Vintage: 2021
Price:
Winery: $29.99

BC CSPC:
Ranking: 24.001123
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Luke 'The Companion' Red Blend, Columbia Valley, WA
91 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region:
Vintage: 2020
Price:
BC Private Wine Stores: $35.0 + price may vary

BC CSPC:
Ranking: 24.001108
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Fort Berens Estate Winery Reserve Meritage, Lillooet, BC
91 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: British Columbia Fraser Canyon - Lillooet
Vintage: 2020
Price:
BC Private Wine Stores: $45.0 + price will vary
Winery: $42.0

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -78113

Ranking: 24.001051
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Mission Hill Family Estate Reserve Meritage, Okanagan Valley BC
91 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: Okanagan Valley West Bank
Vintage: 2021
Price:
BC: $30.99 +price will vary

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -162209

Ranking: 24.001042
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Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Merlot, Okanagan Valley BC
90 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: British Columbia Oliver
Vintage: 2019
Price:
BC Private Wine Stores: $35.0 + price will vary
Winery: $32.0

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -161505

Ranking: 24.000963
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Mission Hill Family Estate Reserve Meritage, Okanagan Valley BC
90 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: Okanagan Valley West Bank
Vintage: 2020
Price:
BC: $30.0 +price will vary

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -162209

Ranking: 24.000925
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Hester Creek 'Limited Edition The Judge', Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC
90 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: British Columbia Oliver
Vintage: 2019
Price:
Winery: $44.0

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -133124

Ranking: 24.000912
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Hester Creek Estate Syrah, Okanagan Valley, BC
91 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: British Columbia Oliver
Vintage: 2020
Price:
Winery: $29.99

BC CSPC:
Ranking: 26.000857
Had this wine? Rate It.

Wente Vineyards 'Southern Hills' Cabernet Sauvignon, Livermore Valley, California
90 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region:
Vintage: 2018
Price:
BC: $20.99

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -301507

Ranking: 26.000854
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Yalumba 'Sanctum' Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra, South Australia
91 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: South Australia Barossa Valley
Vintage: 2017
Price:
BC: $29.99 +price will vary

BC CSPC:
Ranking: 26.000833
Had this wine? Rate It.

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Merlot, Okanagan Valley BC
90 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: British Columbia Oliver
Vintage: 2020
Price:
BC Private Wine Stores: $35.0 + price will vary
Winery: $32.0

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -161505

Ranking: 26.000816
Had this wine? Rate It.

Luis Segundo Correas 'Valle Las Acequias' Malbec Oak, Mendoza Argentina
93 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region:
Vintage: 2017
Price:
BC: $24.99

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -466722

Ranking: 26.000758
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Wente Vineyards 'Southern Hills' Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast, California
90 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region:
Vintage: 2021
Price:
BC: $22.99

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -301507

Ranking: 26.000747
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Luke 'The Companion' Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, WA
91 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region:
Vintage: 2020
Price:
BC Private Wine Stores: $35.0 + price may vary

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -64267

Ranking: 26.00074
Had this wine? Rate It.

Wente Vineyards 'Southern Hills' Cabernet Sauvignon, Livermore Valley, California
90 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region:
Vintage: 2020
Price:
BC: $22.99

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -301507

Ranking: 26.000702
Had this wine? Rate It.

Upper Bench Estate Winery Merlot, Naramata Bench BC
92 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: British Columbia Naramata Bench
Vintage: 2017
Price:
BC Private Wine Stores: $40.0 + price will vary
Winery: $40.0

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -673004

Ranking: 26.000624
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Chronos Syrah, Okanagan Valley BC
92 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: British Columbia Okanagan Valley
Vintage: 2020
Price:
BC Private Wine Stores: $40.0 + price may vary
Winery: $39.99

BC CSPC:
Ranking: 26.0006
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Murphy-Goode Cabernet Sauvignon, California
90 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region:
Vintage: 2018
Price:
BC Private Wine Stores: $20.0 + price will vary

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -739671

Ranking: 26.000591
Had this wine? Rate It.

Wente Vineyards 'Southern Hills' Cabernet Sauvignon, Livermore Valley, California
90 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region:
Vintage: 2019
Price:
BC: $20.99

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -301507

Ranking: 26.000514
Had this wine? Rate It.

Hester Creek 'Limited Edition The Judge', Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC
93 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: British Columbia Oliver
Vintage: 2018
Price:
Winery: $44.0

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -133124

Ranking: 26.0005
Had this wine? Rate It.

Longshot Cabernet Sauvignon, California
87 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region:
Vintage: 2019
Price:
BC: $14.99

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -237336

Ranking: 26.000433
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Hester Creek Estate 'Garland', Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley BC
91 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: British Columbia Oliver
Vintage: 2019
Price:
Winery: $60.0

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -145362

Ranking: 26.000426
Had this wine? Rate It.

UpperCase Winery Cabernet Franc, British Columbia
90 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region:
Vintage: 2020
Price:
Winery: $34.99

BC CSPC:
Ranking: 26.000405
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Gold Hill Cabernet Franc, Okanagan Valley, BC
90 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: British Columbia Oliver
Vintage: 2017
Price:
Winery: $35.0

BC CSPC:
Ranking: 26.000339
Had this wine? Rate It.

Luke 'The Companion' Merlot, Columbia Valley, WA
89 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region:
Vintage: 2020
Price:
BC Private Wine Stores: $35.0 + price may vary

BC CSPC:
Ranking: 26.000326
Had this wine? Rate It.

UpperCase Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, British Columbia
91 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region:
Vintage: 2020
Price:
Winery: $34.99

BC CSPC:
Ranking: 26.000316
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The Prisoner Wine Company 'Unshackled' Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast California
92 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region:
Vintage: 2022
Price:
BC: $35.99

BC CSPC:
Ranking: 26.000278
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Lunessence Winery & Vineyard Merlot, Okanagan Valley, BC
91 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: British Columbia Okanagan Valley
Vintage: 2021
Price:
Winery: $35.0

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -82584

Ranking: 26.000275
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Aberdeen Wine 'Angus the Bull' Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Victoria, Australia
92 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region:
Vintage: 2018
Price:
BC: $19.99

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -110510

Ranking: 26.00024
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Wildeberg 'Coterie' Cabernet Franc & Malbec, Coastal Region South Africa
92 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region:
Vintage: 2018
Price:
BC: $27.99 BCLSelect

BC CSPC:
Ranking: 26.000227
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Black Sage Vineyard Whisky Barrel Aged Red, Okanagan Valley BC
89 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: Okanagan Valley Peachland / Summerland
Vintage: 2021
Price:
Winery: $39.99

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -84786

Ranking: 26.000205
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Gold Hill Merlot, Okanagan Valley, BC
89 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: British Columbia Oliver
Vintage: 2018
Price:
Winery: $35.0

BC CSPC:
Ranking: 26.000204
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Hester Creek Estate 'Garland', Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley BC
93 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: British Columbia Oliver
Vintage: 2018
Price:
Winery: $60.0

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -145362

Ranking: 26.000192
Had this wine? Rate It.

Upper Bench Estate Winery Merlot, Naramata Bench BC
89 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: British Columbia Naramata Bench
Vintage: 2018
Price:
BC Private Wine Stores: $30.0 + price will vary
Winery: $30.0

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -673004

Ranking: 26.000167
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Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards 'Sudden Inversion' Meritage, Okanagan Valley BC
89 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: British Columbia Okanagan Valley
Vintage: 2019
Price:
BC: $29.49

BC CSPC:
Ranking: 26.000133
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Tommasi 'Arele' Parziale Appassimento, TreVenezie Italy
91 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region:
Vintage: 2017
Price:
BC: $26.99
Widely Available: $25.0 + across Canada

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -203539

Ranking: 26.000079
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Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel, Sonoma California
92 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: California Sonoma
Vintage: 2019
Price:
BC: $36.99

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -428417

Ranking: 26.000008
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Lunessence Winery & Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Okanagan Valley, BC
95 Points

Other Readers Rated this Wine:
Region: British Columbia Okanagan Valley
Vintage: 2021
Price:
Winery: $35.0

BC CSPC: BC CSPC Code -427099

Ranking: 24.0015
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Reviews: 60, Pages: 1 of 1, 1
 

WineDiva.ca was launched prior to WineScores, in February 2004. WineDiva is the alter ego of Daenna Van Mulligen. She wears a cork tiara and is proof that a girl can have her w(h)ine and drink it too! WineDiva.ca is a tongue-in-cheek approach to a very serious passion for all things wine. WineDiva’s goal is to make wine fun, subtly educational & deviously inspirational. Vintage reciting wine snobs need not apply. WineDiva is painting the wine world pink and drinking it all in, and her glass is always (at least) half-full.

WineScores is the more serious follow up to WineDiva.ca. WineScores was born from the demand to see wine writer Daenna Van Mulligen provide scores on her wine reviews. These are numerical scores based on a 100 point scale – an internationally recognized form of rating wines. These numbers provide a snapshot for consumers on how the wine reviewer views the overall quality of the wine. For more information on scoring wine, go to “about”.

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