Mission Codename Peace time
Carol Shelton has mastered the Zen of Zin. A proclaimed Queen of the varietal and one of the most iconic producers is BACK!
We’ve rolled out some of their Cabs before, but when we featured one of Carol’s Zins (her specialty) Operatives went NUTS. And rightfully so! We heard you, and went back to the winery on bended knee, with our best Oliver “please may I have some more” impression.
Aaaand, here it is! Descriptions like “big, dark and rich tasting” and “handsomely built and jammy” from the reviews only hint at what’s inside…
Arguably the greatest Zin value you’ll come across this year, maybe ever. Originally released at $38 and $45 from the winery library. Which makes the $27 price tag you see here the lowest today, tomorrow, and anytime thereafter.
Peaceland is one of the best from the Shelton collection and we are so proud to bring this bad boy to you! High elevation in the Mayacamas with less than 40 acres planted to vine, this vineyard sits above the fog line and is a perfect place for ripe, juicy fruit to thrive. Carol cherry-picks from the head trained gnarly old Zin vines here after long growing season to turbo-boost the complexity.
If you’re unfamiliar with the legacy of Carol Shelton, here’s a must-watch ZAP panel on the “Queen of Zinfandel” along with fellow luminaries Joel Peterson, Larry Turley, and Kent Rosenblum:
We really don’t have the space here to list all her accolades. And surely not enough of this wine to waste more time. But know this - she’s a true legend. A few noteworthy ones include The André Tchelistcheff Award in 1993, Winemaker of the Year by Press Democrat in 1999, San Francisco Chronicle in 2005, and NorthBay biz in 2022 and 2023.
“A winemaker since 1978…” expounds Wine Industry Advisor “…Shelton is well known in the industry as a maker of world-class single-vineyard Zinfandels…”
World-class hits the mark here. The Peaceland is deep, dark and broody. Not a wine for the shy, it packs serious power. Gorgeous ruby in color and aromas of black plum, ripe raspberry, and brown sugar, On the tongue, silky tannins and an incredible power reminds you what an absolute rockstar Carol is! It’s a rich and intense Zin while it’s also elegant, and complex as can be, with earth, cassis, peppercorn and a wild array of spices wrapping around the silky tannins on the echoing finish.
For this crazy price, a wow wine indeed. Very, very little of this one and it’s sure to sell out in hours!
92 Points – Wine Enthusiast
“With the ripeness of a Port, this big, dark and rich tasting wine offers dried plums and black figs, maple and brown sugar notes that call for chunks of Parmagiano or a molten chocolate cake for pairing.”
91 Points – Wine Spectator
“Handsomely built and jammy, with black raspberry and cherry flavors accented by green peppercorn and licorice. Ends with zesty tannins. Drink now through 2029.”
What the Winery Says
2019 Peaceland Vineyard Zinfandel
- Winemaker
- Carol Shelton
- Varietals
- 79% Zinfandel, 18% Petite Sirah, 3% Carignane
- Vintage
- 2019
- Alcohol
- 14.7%
- Appellation
- Fountaingrove District, Sonoma County
- Vineyard
- Peaceland Vineyard
- Brix at harvest
- 30°Brix
- Total acidity
- 5.9 g/L
- pH
- 3.51
- Harvest date
- October 25, 2019
- Aging
- 18 months
- Barrels
- 44% new and 28% used American, 28% used French oak