“One of my favorite under-the-radar wineries for a number of years has been Dashe. The prices are reasonable, the quality high, and the wines filled with personality.” – Robert Parker

*This might be the best Dashe Zin we’ve featured.

Given the demand for satisfyingly pure Zinfandel from reliable sources like Dashe - especially at prices like this - the crush of orders has already begun.

Dashe is an all-time favorite of ours. The proprietors have an all-star background: Mike worked the legendary 1989 vintage as an intern at Château Lafite-Rothschild and did stints at Cloudy Bay, Schramsberg, and Far Niente, before settling in at Ridge Vineyards, where he worked side by side with the legendary Paul Draper. Anne interned at Château La Dominique in Bordeaux and Chappellet Winery in Napa, before making brandy for Remy Martin. Since 1996, Dashe Cellars has adorned the finest wine lists around the world, at most of the top restaurants in the US, including The French Laundry, Chez Panisse, and Per Se.

Parker, the big fan he is of Dashe, describes this flagship bottling well: “Todd Brothers Ranch Old Vines emerges from another one of them heritage, head-pruned old Zin sites… a classic, even quintessential, Zinfandel from Alexander Valley.” Tanzer, of Vinous is also on the same bandwagon, “I really like this Zin’s vivacity.” Says he. So do we!

Fueled by old, gnarled vines planted in 1958, Todd Ranch powers some of the best Zinfandel in Sonoma. this shows nearly jet black in the glass. It’s DEEPLY concentrated and luscious. Simply dripping with jammy mixed berries, a dusting of cocoa, some sweet tobacco, and a dusting of baking spices. Hugely satisfying, it’s a crowd-pleaser in every sense.

Only a few barrels were made, and we secured what we could. Great reviews below, both a solid ninety, shminty points, but trust us, it has far, FAR more to offer than that.

The only thing left to say is… why are you still reading this??

90 Points – Wine Enthusiast

“This is a soft, smoothly integrated red, blended with 2% Petite Sirah and aged 18 months in year-old puncheons. Herbal and earthy with a touch of reduction, it offers layered flavors of blackberry, cherry, black pepper and dried herb.”

90 Points – Wine Spectator

“Soft and plush, with plump raspberry, bitter chocolate and licorice flavors that finish with zesty tannins. Drink now through 2026.”