Wait, what? Did we not just sell out of a great 2016 Zin from these folks?

We sure did.

And when we asked for more, guess what we uncovered by mere coincidence? LIBRARY GEMS!

Like digging for a foundation and hitting GOLD. Sadly, there was only a couple of pallets of a couple of vintages, but of THE RESERVE!!!

So here we go, while they last… First the 2014. Get this: it’s a selection of the best 2 barrels from the same harvest that was blended as their 94 rated by Tastings.com Primitivo. Turn the intensity and complexity up a couple of notches from there.

Yet age did it wonders. The fiery, heady fruit and the fierce, grippy tannins have mellowed out to a silky soft texture with secondary and tertiary aromas and flavors emerging into a complete, sweet & savory package. The color is still a vivid deep ruby, the palate is still lively and rich, and the finish is long as can be. FOR SEVENTEEN BUCKS? Your new weekday Zin has arrived. Back the truck up!

To recap the Due Ruscelli story… a pastoral country road just south of Healdsburg called Limerick Lane dead-ends at a couple of wineries right across the street from one another. One happens to be the renowned Limerick Lane Cellars whose Zinfandels can fetch an arm and a leg. The other? A secret TINY neighbor ONLY INSIDERS know about - Due Ruscelli.

Following their roots, the Sloan family are in love with everything Italian, and after many trips and multiple harvests there, they set out on this tiny vineyard off of Limerick Lane to make the best Primitivo clone Zins humanly possible, a goal they seem to have overachieved. Yet they are SO small that getting the word out without a massive marketing budget is challenging. Originally named Primitivo way before making its way across the Atlantic, “America’s grape” Zinfandel is still grown in the heel of Italy. No matter what you call it, Due Ruscelli nails it every time.

Still here? What are you waiting for??!