If you can find it, 2006 Edmeades Mendocino County Zinfandel makes an excellent choice (the 2005 is lovely as well).  The price is also right at about $19-$20.  It also has a higher alcohol rating (which is typical among the finer zins).  This would be the first one on my list.  This is a more complex zin, with rich dark berries and plum along with spicy oak for a peppery finish. It has hints of Syrah which I find adds to the complexity.  Truly a beautiful zin. 2.  Seven Deadly Zins (usually I find it in a 2005) is a lovely choice.  I have offered this at dinner parties and get-togethers and it's usually one of the first wines I run out of.  It also tends to have among the best reviews of any zins I've served.  It's spicey on the nose and with a peppery finish on the palate.  Also with rich, berry notes and a jammy palate.  This is an easier zin to find and tends to run $14-$17 wherever I shop.  I tend to keep this one on stock. 3.  Estancia Zinfandel (2006).  Though I dont find as many reviews for Estancia Vineyards or for this particular zin, I find it is among the more versatile zins I have tried.  It goes well with many dishes and tends to be universally liked even among those who are not zin drinkers.  On the nose it has rich, dark berries and nutmeg (a trait I admire among zins) as well as plum and vanilla.  On the palate I also find rich chocolates and cinnamon along with an almost creamy finish.  I also tend to keep this one on stock.  At about $12-$14 a bottle, it's a more affordable zin as well. 4.  Cardinal Zin (2005).  This tends to have excellent reviews and I find it's among the more intense, complex zins - which may not be appealing to all.  I find it has a more blackberry and plum nose and palate, though I also notice a rich, leathery finish.  In all honesty, though, not everyone shares my nose and palate on this wine and I've personally seen that my clients do not always appreciate.  At around $18-$20 a bottle, be sure that this is one you want to try before investing.  A word of warning, though:  This may seem silly to mention but this particular wine has a label which is considered "controversial" to many.  I've had clients to simply found it off-putting and refused to try it for that reason.  Your call. 5.  Oak Ridge Old Zin Vines (2005).  I find rich notes of cedar, blackberry jam and other dark fruits both on the nose and on the palate.  This is a bold wine with a bold, finishing spice (another trait I admire in zins) as well as hints of chocolate and vanilla.  This is a zin I especially enjoy but I have a harder time finding it in my state and I also find that my guests and clients don't always appreciate it as much as I. OK, I have a secret to let you in on.  The best wines you should buy are the ones you most enjoy.  It is perfectly OK to love a zin (or any other wine) which doesn't have the highest reviews or dislike a wine which does.  The traits I enjoy most in a zin may be the very traits you like least and there is nothing wrong with that.  Take notes on the nose and what flavors you notice first on the palate, while drinking and upon the finish as well as how it feels in your mouth.  This will help you determine why you like certain wines and not others. Another secret.  One of the things I learned in the industry is to not be too terribly swayed by those wine reviews and points systems.  When asking for a wine review from the big magazines or companies, they usually immediately put you in touch with their marketing departments.  This is not a coincidence as what you spend (and where your winery is located) does tend to have an impact on their ratings.  This is also how a $6 Australian wine can have a higher point value than a $50 wine from a small or unknown vineyard. The best judge of a wine will always be you as you will know what you like. Hope this helps.

If you liked this article, you might also appreciate:  Wine Tasting 101:  Fruitiness Does Not Equal Sweetness. as well as Meritage Wine:  America's Bordeaux-Styled Blend.