Hard to believe it was just last month that the Andis Original Grandpère took this page by storm. We still have Operatives asking for more. Every bottle is gone, we swear. We checked back with the winery only 11 times. They finally got weary and gave us the exclusive on an even BIGGER CHERRY so that we’d stop.

Thank you, persistence…

Does a Zin get any better? Probably not. Not unless it’s made by Melka & Koschitzky, from very old vines, with big points, and a 40% discount. Then it would be better.

Wait a minute. THAT’S WHAT WE HAVE HERE!

With plantings going back to 1908, Di Stasio is the ultimate sandy, gnarly vines Zin heaven in the middle of nowhere, waiting to be cherished. It is after all one of the 4 heritage sites in these parts as recognized by the Historic Vineyard Society.

What’s in the glass? Sheer class. From the bright purple-ruby color with a narrow magenta rim to the intoxicating perfume of just-picked ripe strawberries stewing for a batch of jam in the air. Add sweet exotic spices, with touches of rum-soaked raisin, and hoisin sauce to the mix and you begin to define the nose. The palate is fireworks all over again with black raspberry, cherry cola, and a twist of orange peel. The long, long finish is seemingly sweet while dry, thanks to the savory offset. Should you plan a grilled feast to celebrate the coming of Spring, or an elaborate picnic after a long hike, don’t be without this.

Philippe Melka oversees Andis, while he stands atop the pyramid of Napa Valley. Having left his mark on countless cult wineries, producing innumerable high-scoring gems for places like Seavey, Lail, Vineyard 29, Dana Estates, etc., he shares Andis’ winemaking with another key consultant, Maayan Koschitzky who honed his skills at Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle. Talk about big names.

At the state-of-the-art Andis winery, the most impeccable raw materials are crafted by this quality-obsessed team into perfect examples of authenticity, with just the right touch of polish to make them shine. As the word gets out (just last year Andis made it to a Food & Wine “21 Amazing Zinfandels to Buy Right Now” feature for example) these Zins are getting harder to find, or keep in stock.

Get in on ‘em today, the countdown begins again.

94 Points, Editors’ Choice – Wine Enthusiast

“This complex, well-spiced but also well-balanced wine starts with subtle oak nuances of cinnamon, toast and nutmeg, then reveals a core of rich, ripe black fruits and a mouthfilling texture buoyed by a touch of grippy tannin.”