Is Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel good?
Yes, Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel is one of the best reds you can buy for about $12: jammy, peppery and full of flavor without tasting cheap.
Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel · Zinfandel · California · most grocery stores
- Alcohol
- About 14.5%
- Sweetness
- Dry
- Grapes
- Zinfandel from 60 to 80 year old vines
- Made by
- Bogle Family Vineyards (family owned)
- From
- Lodi and Amador County, California
- Price
- About $10 to $14
- Calories
- About 125 to 130 in a 5 oz glass
What it tastes like
Blackberry jam, raspberry and a kick of black pepper and spice, with a little vanilla from oak. Big and juicy, but dry at the end.
- Bodylight → big
- Sweetnessdry → sweet
- Zingsoft → zippy
- Gripsmooth → grippy
Is it worth $12?
Absolutely. Bogle is one of the most reliable value producers in California, and the Zinfandel is its star. It tastes like a $20 bottle.
Who it’s for
Great for anyone who likes bold, fruity reds and food with smoke or spice. If you find big reds heavy, try a lighter Pinot Noir instead.
How to serve it
Serve slightly cool, about 15 minutes in the fridge, so the alcohol does not stick out.
The backstory
Bogle is still run by the Bogle family, who have farmed the Sacramento River Delta for generations and planted their first 20 acres of grapes in Clarksburg in 1968. The Zinfandel comes from old, gnarly vines in Lodi and Amador County, and old vines give fewer grapes with more concentrated flavor. It spends over a year in older American oak barrels, which adds a little vanilla without covering up that peppery, jammy fruit.
How it compares
- Bogle Zinfandel vs Bogle Petite Sirah
The Petite Sirah is darker, thicker and more grippy; pick the Zin if you want juicier and a little easier.
- Bogle Zinfandel vs The Prisoner
The Prisoner is a Zin-led blend that is lusher and sweeter-tasting at four times the price; Bogle is drier and the smarter buy.
- Bogle Zinfandel vs Ménage à Trois Red
Ménage à Trois is softer and sweeter; pick Bogle if you want more spice and a properly dry finish.
What to eat with it
Questions people ask
- What does "old vine" mean on Bogle Zinfandel?
- There is no legal rule, but Bogle says these vines are 60 to 80 years old. Older vines grow fewer, smaller bunches, so the flavor in each grape gets more concentrated.
- Is Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel sweet?
- No. Bogle rates it dry. It tastes very ripe and jammy, which can read as sweet, but the finish is dry and peppery.
- Where is Bogle wine made?
- At the family winery in Clarksburg, in the Sacramento River Delta south of Sacramento. The Old Vine Zin grapes come from nearby Lodi and Amador County.
- Who owns Bogle?
- The Bogle family. The sixth generation runs it today, and it is one of the biggest family-owned wineries in California, making over a million cases a year.
- Is Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel gluten free and vegan?
- Yes. Bogle lists it as both gluten free and vegan friendly.
If you like this, try
- Bogle Petite SirahPetite Sirah · about $12Drink this one
- The PrisonerRed blend (Zinfandel-led, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Syrah) · about $50It's fine
- Ménage à Trois RedRed blend (Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon) · about $11It's fine
Where Moxie recommends it
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Last checked 2026-10-04. Moxie Vino isn’t affiliated with Bogle Vineyards; this is our honest take. Bottle photo: Bogle Family Vineyards.