You’ve got the Zin itch and only Old Vine will scratch it. Today’s wine isn’t any generic, off-the-shelf remedy. Nope. Wine Spies’ cure for what ails you is a high-octane, single-vineyard, Russian River bombshell squeezed from grapes that hang on 100+-year-old vines…all at almost half off.

Historic Gambogi Ranch has been growing these grapes since the 1900s.

…not “1900s” as in “last century”. The 1900s as in before 1910.

…and not “growing these grapes” as in “been growing Zinfandel”. Growing these grapes as in the same actual vines.

Why Old Vine? When a vine gets older, it naturally produces fewer grapes. That means all that vine’s energy and attention are laser-focused on making those remaining berries. That means huge flavor.

At a glance, you know you’re in for a treat - at its dense core is a deep garnet, but its encircled by a ring of bright vivacious magenta. Zinfandel lovers be warned, this is the perfumed intoxicating nose we seek. Bright, lush, juicy fruit leap from the glass with huge bursts of raspberry and fresh-squeezed blackberries. The delightful aromas come through on the palate too, with big fruit that’s balanced by subtle oak-imparted flavor of vanilla and gingerbread. A subtle black olive and an herbaceous note is a beautiful counterpoint. It really shines in its composition however with surprisingly refined tannin for a Zinfandel that just provides the perfect framework for that lovely fruit. This wine is great, because it’s both a classic Zin in the flavor profile, yet more versatile in its competent structure. Throw a Korean bibimbap bowl at it. You’d be surprised.

Don’t miss out on a truly exceptional Zinfandel. This wine drinks like the top Zin you’ll find anywhere and for $25, you’ll wish you bought an extra case to get you through summer.