Mission Codename Barbalicious
Pump up the Jam, PUMP IT UP!
Heard you like rockin’ ripe old vine Zinfandel… well, we weren’t talking about the Technotronic hit.
Today we’re immersing ourselves in some high-definition raspberry jam-packed surround sound for your taste buds. When you get a taste of this it’s gonna be like the Poseidon Adventure because you are gonna be turning it upside down and flooding your glass with this goodness.
You might even start twisting and gyrating with an uncontrollable urge like this chick when you taste this.
Terrifyingly easy to drink!
Last year we rolled the 2017 out for $22. This year? Down to $20. WHAT INFLATION!?
Yes, one Andrew Jackson gets you entry into one of the most thrilling and pure Zins we’ve tasted.
Hailing from a historic site in Contra Costa County, this vineyard has been in the Del Barba family for four generations. Now under the direction of the fourth generation of stewardship, the legendary spot contains own-rooted, head-trained, 120-year-old vines that attract serious winemakers like Aaron Pott and Bruce Neyers. These old vines, many planted before World War I, make for some righteous juice packed with power and complexity.
So, is that how they pump out such electric, jammy fruit?? Well, that’s part of the reason.
It’s also the winemaking tech! The magic touch! They ferment in concrete tanks and use wild yeasts. After fermentation, they rack it in neutral oak barrels. The focus centers entirely on the sensational old vine fruit. No heavy oak or anything like that. It’s a mosh pit of red cherry pie, cassis, and jammy raspberry upfront, with savory baking spices, subtle smokiness, and a touch of herbs lingering in the background.
Zinfandel doesn’t get a whole lot better than this - and at this price, well competition is nonexistent. Get yours while it lasts!
91 Points – Dan Dawson’s Wine Advisor
“Very tasty Zinfandel, coming from old vines growing in the sandy vineyards of the Sacramento Delta. Loads of fruit smells and flavors: finger-staining raspberries and blackberries, cherry compote, candied orange peel. Spices galore too such as allspice, black pepper and cinnamon. Very concentrated, smooth tannins, rich but not over-the-top. A good drink now-enjoy anytime… everything’s in balance. Skilled winemakers are able to create not-hot wines from very ripe grapes – wasn’t often the case 10-20 years ago.”
Tasting Profile
Red cherry pie, cassis, jammy raspberry, spices, herbs
Look | Blue, purple and black all over with a near neon circumference |
---|---|
Smell | Up front it’s all about the red cherry pie and jammy raspberry tucked in right behind |
Taste | Savory baking spice, subtle smokiness, savory herbs all fall in line with the fruit |
Finish | Lasting on and on, turning it upside down and flooding your glass with this goodness |
Pairing | Bring together some killer cheeses, charcuterie, dried fruits, and nuts, then go nuts |
What the Winery Says
2018 Del Barba Vineyard Contra Costa Zinfandel
- Winemakers
- David & Christine Wilson, Chris & Suzaan Alheit
- Varietal
- 100% Zinfandel
- Vintage
- 2018
- Appellation
- Napa Valley
- Vineyard
- Del Barba Vineyard
- Year planted
- 1910 & 1978
- Soils
- Delhi sand
- Alcohol
- 15.7%
- Fermentation
- 15% whole cluster
- pH
- 3.8
- Residual sugar
- 0 g/L
- Harvest Brix
- 25.4 degrees
- Harvest date
- September 4th, 2018
- Bottling date
- July 29, 2019
- Aging
- 10 months in neutral French oak
- Production
- 9 barrels