Maybe we have not been able to offer you a deep deal on a Limerick Lane Zin yet, or a Carlisle. Yet.

But today we come close with a hint of BOTH for just over 20 bucks.

This stunner fuses that pair of cream-of-the-crop Zin sources with the lesser-known Jensen Lane Vineyard, so you get the best expression of the Russian River Valley. All three of these sites were planted between 1910-1927, so the old-vine-ness with this Zin is thru the roof.

Obviously, not every winemaker has access to such treasured grapes. As Robert Parker elaborates; “Adam Lee, Novy’s winemaker, has been around for most of my career and makes wine under this label as well as Siduri. These Zinfandels really show their stuff. Moreover, they are obviously attractively priced, given the extremely high quality of the wines.”

Well Bob, “attractively priced” at $36 is one thing, absurdly given away at $21 here today is another!

Alluring in appearance, with a vivid, translucent deep cherry red, reflecting blue and purple on the wide rim. The nose, oh THE NOSE! Redolent with freshly picked berries in a basket, on the way to make a pie. Add a dribble of vanilla, a dash of cinnamon, and a sprinkling of fairy dust on the palate, and you have a Zin that alters your senses to a state of euphoria. That state lasts a minute, no small feat for a wine this affordable, lingering with intriguing juicy, savory balance and appeal. How about a simple, joyful evening with your favorite charcuterie and cheeseboard, candied pecans, dried fruits, beloved friends, or family.

Changes in the world of Siduri/Novy have been drastically for the better since the venerable Jackson Family Wines took them under its wings. While Adam Lee oversees the winemaking as a consultant, the day to day is now steered by young talent, as Wine Spectator outlined “Lee’s longtime deputy, Ryan Zepaltas, recently took over as GM and winemaker at Copain, another JFW property, so winemaker Matt Revelette is stepping in. Revelette’s resume includes stints at Sojourn, Kosta Browne, and Williams Selyem.”

Is that not a rundown on who’s who in the upper echelons of RRV? In sum, what we have here today is a ‘Karmann-Ghia designed, Porsche-powered Volkswagen’ of a Zin! For the cool factor and the money, it beats many down the fast lane.

Did we mention double the 90-points?

Drinking up the Zins now, MUST make room for a bunch of this.

90 Points – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous

“I only tasted four wines from Novy, but I was quite impressed. While Ryan Zepaltas has not meaningfully changed the house style at Copain or Siduri (relative to the recent past in both cases), he has taken the Novy wines into a totally different realm. The jammy, super-concentrated style that was once favored here has been replaced by an approach that focuses on freshness and energy. The 2017 Zinfandel (Russian River Valley) is inviting. Fresh and perfumed, with lovely red fruit character, the 2017 is open-knit and expressive today. I would prefer to drink it over the next few years. Drink 2019-2024.”

90 Points – Wine Spectator

“Sleek and steely in structure, with precise black cherry, anise and pepper flavors that build toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2025.”